[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/what-is-lasik\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/what-is-lasik\/","headline":"What is LASIK?","name":"What is LASIK?","description":"Wondering what LASIK actually is? We break down how it works, who it helps, and what you can expect if you choose this life-changing treatment.\r\n","datePublished":"2025-09-11","dateModified":"2025-09-11","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/author\/myeyeclinic\/#Person","name":"My Eye Clinic","url":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/author\/myeyeclinic\/","identifier":8,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8387103c2072d667018bc0a76890e72a3a28b15f0cb4d824dadcb29a5e8e13d3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8387103c2072d667018bc0a76890e72a3a28b15f0cb4d824dadcb29a5e8e13d3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"My Eye Clinic Gosforth","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Retina-Sticky-Header-Logo-v2-166x120-Rob-Boyce-My-Eye-Clinic-Newcastle.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Retina-Sticky-Header-Logo-v2-166x120-Rob-Boyce-My-Eye-Clinic-Newcastle.jpg","width":167,"height":122}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/what-is-lasik-Rob-Boyce-My-Eye-Clinic-Newcastle.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/what-is-lasik-Rob-Boyce-My-Eye-Clinic-Newcastle.jpg","height":600,"width":900},"url":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/what-is-lasik\/","about":["Laser Eye Surgery"],"wordCount":551,"articleBody":"What is LASIK?You\u2019ve probably heard of LASIK, one of the most popular types of laser eye surgery. But what exactly is it, how does it work, and what can it treat? If you\u2019ve been thinking about vision correction, understanding the basics of LASIK is the perfect place to start.A quick overviewLASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. It\u2019s a procedure that reshapes the cornea \u2014 the clear front part of your eye \u2014 so light focuses correctly on the retina at the back. The result is clearer vision without glasses or contact lenses.What vision problems can LASIK correct?LASIK is effective for people with:Short-sightedness (myopia): Blurred distance visionLong-sightedness (hyperopia): Blurred near visionAstigmatism: Distorted or blurry vision caused by an irregularly shaped corneaMost patients who meet the suitability criteria can achieve 20\/20 vision or better after LASIK.How does the procedure work?LASIK may sound complicated, but it\u2019s actually a quick and straightforward process:Preparation Your eye is numbed with anaesthetic drops so you feel no pain.Creating a flap A thin flap is made on the surface of the cornea and gently lifted.Laser reshaping A laser is used to precisely reshape the cornea so that light bends correctly into the eye.Flap repositioned The flap is placed back into position where it heals naturally, without stitches.The laser part itself usually takes less than a minute per eye. The whole procedure lasts about 15 minutes.Is LASIK painful?No. You may feel some pressure during the procedure, but not pain. Afterward, your eyes may feel gritty or watery for a few hours, but this usually passes quickly.How long does recovery take?LASIK has one of the fastest recovery times of all laser eye surgery techniques. Most people notice a dramatic improvement within 24 hours. Many patients are back to work in 1\u20132 days.Who is suitable for LASIK?LASIK isn\u2019t right for everyone. You may be suitable if you:Are over 21 (to ensure your prescription has stabilised)Have a stable prescription for at least 12 monthsHave healthy eyes with no conditions like glaucoma or severe dry eyeHave a cornea that is thick enough for the procedureIf your corneas are too thin, or if you\u2019re involved in certain contact sports, your surgeon may recommend LASEK or TransPRK instead.What are the risks?While LASIK is considered very safe, every procedure carries some risks. These may include:Temporary dry eyesGlare or halos at night in the early healing periodRare cases of undercorrection or overcorrection (which can often be fine-tuned later)Thorough pre-surgery testing ensures that only people who are good candidates go ahead.How long do the results last?The changes made to your cornea are permanent. However, your eyes may still change naturally with age. This means that later in life, you might need reading glasses due to presbyopia, or develop cataracts. These changes are unrelated to LASIK itself.Why do people choose LASIK?Quick recoveryHigh success rateLong-lasting resultsFreedom from glasses and contact lensesPatients often say they wish they had done it sooner.Next stepsCurious to know if LASIK could work for you?Take our free self-test. In just one minute, you\u2019ll find out if LASIK might be right for your eyes."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"What is LASIK?","item":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/what-is-lasik\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]