LASIK is the world's most commonly performed elective surgery, with over 40 million procedures completed globally. Yet many prospective patients still feel uncertain about what actually happens during those 15 minutes in the laser suite. Here's a clear, step-by-step guide.

Before the Procedure: The Consultation

LASIK begins well before the day of surgery. At your free consultation at Restivo Laser Vision, our team maps your cornea in precise detail using corneal topography and wavefront analysis. We measure corneal thickness, pupil size, tear film quality, and refractive error. This data guides your custom laser treatment plan.

Step 1: Numbing Eye Drops

On surgery day, anesthetic eye drops are applied to both eyes. You'll feel no pain during the procedure. A mild oral sedative is often offered to help with anxiety. You're awake the entire time, but completely comfortable.

Step 2: Creating the Corneal Flap

A femtosecond laser (at Restivo, we use the WaveLight FS200) creates a thin, precise flap in the outer layer of your cornea. This takes about 6 seconds per eye. You'll feel gentle pressure but no pain. Your vision dims briefly during this step — that's normal.

Step 3: Lifting the Flap

The surgeon gently folds back the corneal flap, exposing the stromal tissue underneath. This is the tissue the excimer laser will reshape.

Step 4: The Excimer Laser Reshapes Your Cornea

The WaveLight EX500 excimer laser precisely removes microscopic amounts of corneal tissue to correct your unique prescription. For nearsightedness, the cornea is flattened. For farsightedness, it's steepened. For astigmatism, irregular curves are smoothed. This step takes about 6–10 seconds per diopter of correction. The laser tracks your eye at 1,050 Hz — even if you move, the treatment stays on target.

Step 5: Repositioning the Flap

The corneal flap is gently laid back into position. No sutures are needed — the flap adheres naturally within minutes due to the eye's own surface tension.

Step 6: Recovery

You rest for 20–30 minutes in our office, then go home with a driver. Most patients notice dramatically clearer vision within hours. A follow-up exam the next morning confirms your results. Full stabilization typically takes 1–3 months.

Curious whether LASIK is right for your eyes? Book your free consultation at Restivo Laser Vision — Cedar Park and Austin's trusted LASIK specialists.