What laser eye surgery does

Laser eye surgery is one of the most popular elective procedures in the world—but what does it actually do?

If you're tired of glasses or contacts and you're looking for a solution, this blog from Elite LASIK & Cataract in Indianapolis will walk you through what laser eye surgery does, how it works, and what kind of vision problems it can fix.

Let’s make it simple

What laser eye surgery does

In short, laser eye surgery reshapes the front surface of your eye—called the cornea—so that light can focus correctly on your retina.

If your eye can’t focus light properly, images appear blurry. Laser vision correction solves this problem by changing the shape of your cornea to fix how light enters your eye.

The result? Clearer, sharper vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses.

What conditions it treats

Laser eye surgery treats three main types of refractive errors:

1. Nearsightedness (Myopia)

You can see up close but struggle with distant objects. Laser surgery flattens the cornea to improve distance vision.

2. Farsightedness (Hyperopia)

You see better far away but struggle with near objects. The laser steepens the center of the cornea to help you focus up close.

3. Astigmatism

Your cornea is irregularly shaped, causing blurry vision at all distances. The laser reshapes the cornea into a more even curve.

What types of laser eye surgery are there?

There are three common procedures. All of them reshape the cornea but in slightly different ways:

LASIK

A thin flap is created on your cornea. The laser reshapes the tissue beneath, and the flap is laid back down.
Fast results. Minimal downtime.

SMILE

A small piece of tissue inside the cornea is removed through a tiny incision.
No flap. Less dry eye. Great for active lifestyles.

PRK

The outer layer of the cornea is gently removed before reshaping the tissue.
Best for thin corneas. Slightly longer recovery.

What laser eye surgery doesn’t do

Laser vision correction doesn't:

• Prevent age-related vision changes (like needing reading glasses in your 40s+)
• Stop cataracts from forming as you get older
• Fix all types of vision problems (some may need lens-based procedures)

But for many people, it can significantly reduce or eliminate the need for corrective lenses.

Is the vision correction permanent?

Yes—laser eye surgery offers permanent reshaping of your cornea. However, your eyes still age, so you may eventually need reading glasses or other treatment later in life.

The vast majority of patients enjoy years—or decades—of clear vision after treatment.

How do I know if it’s right for me?

You might be a good candidate if you:

• Are at least 18 years old
• Have a stable prescription
• Have healthy eyes
• Want to reduce or eliminate your need for glasses or contacts

We’ll confirm your eligibility with advanced testing at your consultation—or you can start with our online self-test.

Laser eye surgery reshapes your cornea so you can focus clearly—without glasses or contacts. It treats nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism with fast results and long-term benefits.

Wondering if it’s right for you?
Take our quick suitability self-test to find out now.