How does laser eye surgery work?

We all know laser eye surgery can reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts. But if you’ve ever wondered how it actually works, you’re not alone.

At Elite LASIK & Cataract in Indianapolis, we take time to explain each step, so you feel confident and informed. Here’s a simple breakdown of how laser eye surgery helps you see clearly—without technical jargon.

The goal: reshape your cornea

The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped surface at the front of your eye. Its job is to focus light on the retina in the back of your eye.

If your cornea isn’t shaped just right, light doesn’t focus correctly—causing blurry vision.

Laser eye surgery gently reshapes the cornea so light focuses where it should. That’s how it fixes:

• Nearsightedness (myopia)
• Farsightedness (hyperopia)
• Astigmatism.

Step 1: Your consultation and testing

Before anything else, you’ll come in for a full evaluation. We’ll check:

• Your glasses or contact lens prescription
• The shape and thickness of your corneas
• Your tear production and eye health

These tests help us decide whether you’re a good candidate and which type of surgery is best.

Step 2: Choosing the right procedure

There are three main types of laser vision correction:

• LASIK

A thin flap is created on your cornea. The laser reshapes the inner layer. The flap is then gently smoothed back down.

• SMILE

A tiny disc of tissue is created inside the cornea and removed through a small incision. No flap is needed.

• PRK

The outer surface of the cornea is gently removed. The laser then reshapes the tissue underneath. A bandage contact lens is placed to help it heal.

Each procedure works slightly differently, but they all do the same thing—reshape your cornea for clearer vision.

Step 3: What happens on surgery day?

The entire process takes about 2–3 hours at the clinic, but the actual laser time is just 10–15 minutes per eye.

1. You’ll get numbing drops—no needles, no pain.
2. The laser reshapes your cornea. You may see lights or feel light pressure.
3. After a short recovery, you’re free to go home.

You’ll need someone to drive you, and we recommend resting the remainder of the day.

Step 4: Recovery

Healing times vary by procedure:

• LASIK: Most people see clearly the next day
• SMILE: Vision improves steadily over 1–3 days
• PRK: Vision clears in about a week.

We’ll give you drops and follow-up care instructions to ensure everything heals properly.

Does it hurt?

Nope. Most people describe the experience as “weird” or “pressure-y” but not painful. After surgery, your eyes might feel scratchy or watery, but it goes away quickly.

Are the results permanent?

Yes. Once your cornea is reshaped, it stays that way. However, you may still need reading glasses in your 40s or 50s due to natural aging (presbyopia). This happens whether or not you’ve had LASIK.

Laser eye surgery is a fast, proven way to improve your vision. It works by gently reshaping your cornea so your eyes can focus light correctly.

Want to find out if it could work for you?

Take our quick self-test today—it only takes a minute.