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Disclaimer

This website is only for basic information. It is not to be considered medical advice or a substitute for obtaining your own medical consultation, during which you will be informed also about possible risks, side effects and restrictions of refractive & cataract surgery. Not all treatment options are approved or offered in every country and approved labeling and instructions may vary from one country to another. This site is also not intended for patients and healthcare providers residing in the United States of America and Japan.

What happens during LASIK treatment?

Over the years, LASIK has become a trusted, proven solution that has improved the vision of millions of people around the world. Along with the minimally invasive lenticule extraction procedure with ZEISS SMILE, it is one of the most popular laser vision corrections. Learn here what happens during surgery, and how the LASIK procedure can reduce or eliminate your dependency on glasses or contact lenses.

Since the 1990s, LASIK has been a widely accepted laser vision correction procedure. LASIK is suitable for correcting most eye conditions, including nearsightedness and farsightedness, as well as astigmatism. Find out more about how the LASIK procedure works.

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Bearded man smiling outdoors in a city environment, symbolizing confidence and visual freedom after LASIK treatment.

Why choose LASIK?

It’s a well-known procedure
LASIK has been the standard treatment for laser vision correction for more than 20 years. As a result, many surgeons are skilled in performing the surgery and have extensive experience with the overall LASIK procedure.

It’s widely available
Most clinics offer LASIK or Femto-LASIK4 procedures, so you are sure to find a local clinic or hospital. While cost plays an important part in the decision-making process, there are many additional factors to consider when choosing a suitable surgeon, including experience, results and technology, to name a few.

Woman reading comfortably in natural light, representing sharp, unaided vision after ZEISS SMILE pro treatment.

Are there alternative laser vision correction methods?

As well as the LASIK procedure, you may want to consider the advantages of lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE or ZEISS SMILE pro. As no flap is required, this option causes minimal disruption to the surface of the eye. Just like LASIK, ZEISS SMILE and SMILE pro are considered to be proven and effective. PRK is another alternative which may be suitable if you have thin corneas.
Depending on your eyes’ refractive error as well as your health, age and lifestyle, one procedure may be better suited to you than another. Your eye doctor will be able to advise you on your individual options.

Clinic Finder

Your eye doctor can help you find the best treatment option for your specific eye condition.
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Frequently asked questions

  • During your initial consultation, your doctor will perform tests on your eyes to determine if you are a candidate for laser vision correction and decide the most suitable type of procedure. At the same time, they will be able to answer any questions you have.
    Please keep in mind, the consultation is also an opportunity for you to learn about your surgeon’s experience, the technology they use and the advantages of each type of procedure offered. Having a surgeon you feel comfortable with is probably a key factor when deciding to proceed with laser vision correction.

    Find a clinic for consultation near you

  • Not long. The LASIK surgery itself is relatively quick and takes about 15 minutes per eye.

  • Yes. There are two types of LASIK – traditional LASIK and Femto-LASIK. The difference lies in the way the flap is created during surgery. With LASIK, a manual blade (microkeratome) is used, whereas with the advanced bladeless Femto-LASIK, a flap in the cornea is created using a highly precise femtosecond laser.

    Read more about the healing process here

  • The eye is thoroughly numbed beforehand and, although they are awake during the procedure, most patients report little or no discomfort. Some minor discomfort may be experienced after treatment, but this can be minimised with eye drops and will soon dissipate. It is important to avoid rubbing the eyes.

    Find out more about the recovery here

  • If you are at least 18 years of age, have a stable prescription in the year before the surgery and have eyes with no signs of cataracts or other eye conditions, you should be eligible for laser vision correction. There is no strict upper age limit for LASIK. Your eye doctor will be able to advise you if you are a suitable candidate and if the procedure is right for you.

    Find a clinic for consultation near you
  • Go to our FAQ page

This might also interest you

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    ZEISS SMILE

     
  • Man smiling outdoors in a city environment, representing clarity and confidence following PRK laser vision treatment.

    PRK
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    ZEISS PRESBYOND
  • Out-of-focus view of sunlit leaves and branches against a bright sky.

    Astigmatism
  • Man in sports gear smiling after vision correction, symbolizing confidence and mobility post lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE pro.

    Treatment comparison
  • Woman reading comfortably in natural light, representing sharp, unaided vision after ZEISS SMILE pro treatment.

    ZEISS SMILE pro

    Lenticule extraction with SMILE® pro from ZEISS is an advanced laser vision correction treatment. Using ZEISS SMILE pro, your surgeon can treat nearsightedness and farsightedness¹ with or without astigmatism in a minimally invasive procedure – with less than 10 seconds of laser exposure when treating nearsightedness2 and less than 13 seconds when treating farsightedness3.

  • Woman smiling peacefully in a living room setting, reflecting visual independence and comfort post-ZEIS SMILE surgery.

    ZEISS SMILE

    Lenticule extraction with SMILE® from ZEISS is an advanced laser vision correction. Using ZEISS SMILE, your surgeon can correct nearsightedness with or without astigmatism in a minimally invasive procedure.

  • Man smiling outdoors in a city environment, representing clarity and confidence following PRK laser vision treatment.

    PRK

    PRK, developed in the 1980s, was the first laser vision correction procedure and is still used today for certain patients. It can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. While newer techniques like ZEISS SMILE, ZEISS SMILE pro and LASIK are available, PRK remains a trusted option for patients with specific eye conditions.

  • Middle-aged asian woman looking calmly into the camera wearing an apron.

    ZEISS PRESBYOND

    As you age, your vision becomes increasingly blurry up close. This condition is called presbyopia and refers to the natural decline in our eyesight over time. If you are seeking an alternative to glasses or contacts, laser vision correction like ZEISS PRESBYOND may help.

  • Out-of-focus view of sunlit leaves and branches against a bright sky.

    Astigmatism

    If you experience blurry vision, halos, or glare, especially at night, you may have astigmatism. This common condition occurs alongside nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia). While glasses or contact lenses can correct it, laser vision correction offers an alternative solution for treating astigmatism.

  • Man in sports gear smiling after vision correction, symbolizing confidence and mobility post lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE pro.

    Treatment comparison

    Explore other options of laser vision correction and how they differ in technique, treatment approach or recovery time. Your eye doctor can help determine the best option for you.

  • 1

    Approved and available in selected markets.
  • 2

    Data on file (unpublished). Myopia with optical zone of 6.5 mm.
  • 3

    Data on file (unpublished). The whole procedure including extracting the lenticule lasts about 5 to 10 minutes per eye.
  • 4

    The difference between the Femto-LASIK and the classic LASIK method is the way the flap in the cornea is created. A laser is used to cut the flap in Femto-LASIK. With the classic method, the surgeon makes the flap manually with a microkeratome (mechanical device).