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