(Not for the squeamish.) LASIK involves delicately shaving off the top layer of the cornea—the transparent front window of the eye. The shaved top layer is then moved off to the side so that the deeper layer underneath can be carved and reshaped by a laser. After the reshaping, the outer layer is moved back in place to rebond with the deeper layer. The "K" in LASIK stands for keratomileusis, from the Greek roots for cornea and carving.

(Certainly not for the squeamish.) To see an animation of the surgery, click here.

(Absolutely not for the squeamish.) To see the actual surgery in action, click here.