How LASIK Works

How well you see depends on the shape of your cornea, which is the eye's clear covering. In nearsighted people, the cornea is too curved. In farsighted people, the cornea is too flat. People with astigmatism have an oval shaped cornea.

LASIK is used to significantly reduce or eliminate dependence on glasses or contacts. It does this by gently and precisely reshaping the cornea with a cool beam from a laser so that it can focus light correctly on the retina. Specifically, LASIK surgery flattens a cornea in the treatment of nearsightedness, steepens a cornea in the treatment of farsightedness, and rounds out a cornea in the treatment of astigmatism. With each pulse the laser resculpts 39 millionths of an inch in a tiny fraction of a second.

LASIK, or Laser in-situ keratomileusis, is approved by the FDA for the treatment of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. More than three million people have had this miraculous procedure in the United States alone, which typically takes just 15 minutes to perform. It helps people live more active and independent lives.

Dr. Kelly offers LASIK in two New York locations. He often uses either a microkeratome or the IntraLase laser to raise a thin flap of corneal tissue. He then uses a excimer laser to resculpt the cornea. After the laser portion is performed, the flap is replaced and it bonds in place without stitches. The LASIK procedure is performed in a reclining chair in the office.

At the conclusion of the procedure the flap is repositioned and allowed to seal in place. The patient is then brought to a relaxation room for several minutes where eye drops and post-operative instructions are administered. The patient is given protective sunglasses to wear out of the office. Many patients can notice the initial results immediately, which improve for several weeks. Read more about Dr. Kelly and his New York laser vision correction practice.

Millions of people are enjoying these life-enhancing benefits and millions more are exploring the procedure that can free them from the use of glasses and contact lenses.