| The cornea is the clear covering of the front of | | | | performed on the cornea using a laser and a |
| the eye that helps to bend and focus light so that | | | | precision cutting knife called a microkeratome.Eye |
| it can form an image on the retina. This is | | | | surgeons trained to perform lasik can be found in |
| analogous to the way in which a camera lens | | | | all major cities in New York State. It is always |
| focuses light to form an image on film. If the | | | | good to verify that a surgeon is licensed and is |
| cornea is curved too much, images form in front | | | | using an FDA-approved laser. Because lasik is an |
| of the retina instead of on it; this is called myopia | | | | elective cosmetic procedure, it is not covered by |
| or nearsightedness. If the cornea is too flat, | | | | most health insurance plans. However, the skill and |
| images form behind the retina; this is called | | | | experience of a surgeon are critical to maximize |
| hypermetropia or farsightedness. In astigmatism, | | | | chances of a good outcome, so cost should not |
| light strikes the cornea at different angles and | | | | be the only consideration while searching for the |
| cannot be sharply focused on the retina.Lasik | | | | right surgeon. It helps to shop around; often, |
| stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. It | | | | friends and family members can provide a |
| is a surgical procedure to correct visual conditions | | | | reference. Even with the best care, a perfect |
| like nearsightedness, farsightedness and | | | | correction of vision can be challenging, although |
| astigmatism. By correcting these corneal | | | | newer custom lasik techniques are making this |
| refractive errors, such surgery eliminates the | | | | increasingly possible. |
| need for contact lens or eyeglasses. Lasik is | | | | |