What happens during laser eye surgery?

In laser eye surgery, a femtosecond laser or excimer laser adjusts the curvature of the cornea so that light is correctly focused on the retina. The procedure is as follows:

1. Preparation: The eye is numbed with drops so that the procedure is painless.

2. Correction: Depending on the method, a thin flap is made (LASIK) or the corneal surface is treated (PRK, LASEK, ReLEx SMILE).

3. Laser treatment: The laser removes microscopic layers of tissue to create the correct bulge.

4. Recovery: The flap is replaced or the cornea recovers on its own in a few days.

After the procedure, you usually experience blurred vision and mild irritation, but this improves quickly. Most patients see sharply within 24 hours and the final result stabilizes within a few weeks.