Lasik stands for laser assisted in situ Keratomileusis is known widely to those who need glasses to correct eye sight. Even those who wear contact lenses can have their eye sight rectified by undergoing a Lasik or Lasek. Lasek stands for Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis. The basic of this surgical procedure is to reshape the cornea and correct the eye sight. Those who have either myopia or hyperopia or astigmatism can avail Lasik or Lasek and have their vision corrected. The corneal reshaping is required in order to ensure that focal point of the cornea is on the retina neither ahead of the retinal wall nor behind the retina.

Lasik is a successor of PRK or photorefractive keratectomy. The procedure uses Excimer laser to cut a thin flap of the cornea and then the cornea is reshaped and flap is replaced more as a natural bandage. Generally these surgical procedures are day procedure and performed with mild sedatives being administered to the patient and there are Lasik eye surgery centers which specializes in these procedures. A doctor assess the condition of the patient and explains to the as how much of benefit can be had from the surgical procedure and also the inherent risks involved in the procedure.

The Lasik procedure for correcting eye sight is not without its disadvantages. Since corneal flap to reshape the cornea this in itself is a risky procedure and poet operative complications arise because of this incisions. On the contrary the PRK or photo refractive keratectomy applies laser energy directly on the epithelium of the cornea and reshapes the cornea. The epithelium eventually grows back.  The Lasik uses microkeratome a cutting tool to cut flap of the cornea and reshape the same as required to correct the eyesight. The reshaping needs to be done correctly as wrong reshaping will result in aggravated eye sight problems and can be in some cases cause loss of vision.

Lasek use the same Excimer laser to reshape the cornea but only after the flap has been cut on the epithelium using trephine and moved to side using a special spatula. The diluted alcohol which was used to cover the eye for about 30 seconds after removal of the epithelium is sponged out the Excimer laser is applied to re shape the cornea as required for correct eye sight. Once the reshaping has been done a special spatula replaces the epithelium and bandage contact lenses are required to be worn for about four days for complete healing and protection.

The recovery in terms of regaining correct and unassisted vision takes more time for those on whom Lasek has been performed. Generally Lasek is performed on those patients on whom Lasik cannot be performed because of low thickness of the cornea or the cornea is too steep for thick flaps to be cut for reshaping of the cornea. Many eye surgery clinics who offer cheap Laser eye treatment generally offer Lasik but before one opts for the cheap treatment it is important that tests to be done to ensure whether Lasik or Lasek needs to be performed.