After the eye has been completely numbed using anaesthetic eye drops, an eyelid clip is temporarily placed between the lids to prevent blinking. Next, a thin flap is painlessly created in the outer layer of the cornea. This flap can be created using a specialised mechanical blade or by femtosecond laser. During this process you may feel a little pressure, but no discomfort or pain.

The corneal flap, which remains attached on a hinge, is folded back. You will be asked to look directly at an overhead target light while the excimer laser reshapes the exposed cornea which normally takes about a minute. Special eye trackers in the system reassuringly will compensate for involuntary eye movements. Next, the corneal flap is replaced in its original position without the need for stitches. The whole LASIK procedure is completed in about 10 minutes.