The cornea is the clear covering of the front of the eye that helps to bend and focus light so that it can form an image on the retina. This is analogous to the way in which a camera lens focuses light to form an image on film. If the cornea is curved too much, images form in front of the retina instead of on it; this is called myopia or nearsightedness. If the cornea is too flat, images form behind the retina; this is called hypermetropia or farsightedness. In astigmatism, light strikes the cornea at different angles and cannot be sharply focused on the retina.

Lasik stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. It is a surgical procedure to correct visual conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. By correcting these corneal refractive errors, such surgery eliminates the need for contact lens or eyeglasses. Lasik is performed on the cornea using a laser and a precision cutting knife called a microkeratome.

Eye surgeons trained to perform lasik can be found in all major cities in New York State. It is always good to verify that a surgeon is licensed and is using an FDA-approved laser. Because lasik is an elective cosmetic procedure, it is not covered by most health insurance plans. However, the skill and experience of a surgeon are critical to maximize chances of a good outcome, so cost should not be the only consideration while searching for the right surgeon. It helps to shop around; often, friends and family members can provide a reference. Even with the best care, a perfect correction of vision can be challenging, although newer custom lasik techniques are making this increasingly possible. In addition to the surgeons experience and skill, the risks of lasik vary depending on the type of surgery and type of equipment used.