The laser technique involves working on the corneal bed, under the Bowman layer where there are no cells or nerves which can lead to scarring. With the LASIK procedure, a small 8mm diameter flap with a thickness of 130-160 microns, is cut from the surface of the cornea. This flap is not totally cut off and is still attached to the cornea with a small hinge. After the flap is flipped to the side, the corneal stroma is ablated with the Excimer Laser after the computer has been programmed with the patient's refraction and corneal thickness.
The excimer Laser removes corneal stroma at 0.25 microns per pulse (a 1/4 of a 1/100th of a millimeter). The aperture of the laser changes with every ablation and thus by removing the tissue layer by layer a perfect lens cut into the corneal stroma is achieved. The flap is then replaced on the ablated area and takes up the curvature of the new ablated cornea. In normal circumstances the corneal epithelium heals within 10-12 hours.
You must have a complete eye exam - refractive surgery is not for everyone. There are general LASIK requirements, these include: