This procedure involves creating a corneal flap by making an incision across the front surface of the cornea. For nearsighted patients, a second refractive cut is then made. This smaller, thinner disc is discarded and the flap is replaced, resulting in a flatter corneal curvature. The farsighted procedure involves making a single deep cut that results in a central bulging of the remaining cornea. When the flap is replaced, it results in a steepening of the corneal curvature, thus reducing the patient's hyperopia. With both procedures, the cap usually requires no suturing. Depending on the degree of nearsightedness or farsightedness, some patients may experience a dramatic improvement on the first postoperative day. Other patients may require a longer period until vision becomes sharper.

PRK is a type of refractive surgery that uses the eximer laser to reduce or eliminate the need for corrective lenses. PRK uses the eximer laser to deliver ultraviolet light to the eye which removes small amounts of tissue from the center of the cornea. The goal of this procedure is to reduce nearsightedness by resculpting the cornea, flattening its center and changing the way the light is focused on the back of the eye. 

LASIK is performed in a manner similar to ALK  except for the second pass. In LASIK an excimer laser is used to remove the second disk of tissue. LASIK dramatically reduces recovery time (versus PRK) and decreases the chance of many of the procedural risks (compared to ALK). The procedure itself takes only a few minutes to complete and involves minimal discomfort. LASIK requires more technical skill and training than other laser procedures.