What is laser eye surgery? How does it work?

IN THIS VIDEO, DR BENNETT CHOTINER EXPLAINS WHAT LASER EYE SURGERY IS AND HOW IT WORKS

The most frequently performed laser eye surgery is commonly known as LASIK. To date, more than 40 million LASIK (laser assisted in situ keratomileusis) procedures have been performed worldwide.

LASIK eye surgery involves the initial use of an infrared laser to make a thin flap around the thickness of a human hair in the cornea, the clear window of your eye. This flap is retracted, and the second ultraviolet laser is then used to ablate tissue under the flap, thereby changing the shape of the cornea.

LASIK can reshape the cornea. Altering the cornea corrects vision problems such nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism.  As a result, this enables the eye to focus more clearly, without the need for wearing contact lenses or glasses.

Why your sight changes after laser eye surgery

Most people are familiar with the basic idea of how laser eye surgery works: a laser is used to reshape the tissue of the cornea, correcting vision problems. However, there is more to it than that. To understand how laser eye surgery can be so effective, it is important to know how the cornea works and how it affects vision.

The cornea is the clear front window of the eye. It plays an important role in focusing light onto the retina, which is responsible for sending visual information to the brain. If the cornea is not shaped correctly, light will not be focused properly and vision will be affected. This is what happens in cases of myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness).

Laser eye surgery can correct these vision problems by reshaping the cornea. By changing its shape, the laser can cause light to be focused more accurately onto the retina. This leads to clearer vision and often eliminates the need for someone to wear glasses or contact lenses.

If you want to know more about whether you’re a good candidate for laser eye surgery, give us a call on (717) 657-2020. Or take our quick self-test today to see if you qualify.

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What patients say about us

I was well taken care of. They took good care of my things. Dr. Erik Chotiner did an excellent job. I am so happy to see quite clearly with my eye that has macular degeneration.
S.D.H.
Very happy with all the staff, from check in, check out and nursing in pre op. Amazing. Very clean facility. Dr. Chotiner is so efficient and fast. Would recommend him to everyone.
Vey Love
Excellent care and personal attention are provided at Memorial Eye. Hats off to Dr. E. Chotiner, nurses and staff for making my experience there so great!
Q. Bender
I had cataract surgery and correction of an astigmatism. In one word......excellent!
Ray Jaffev
Wonderful practice with kind and supportive employees. The doctors are top notch and excellent!
A. Hendrix
I am a first time patient at your practice. Everyone was so nice and knowledgeable. Overall it was a great experience. I did not realize how bad my vision was. I am amazed! The get well flowers were a nice touch!
J.B.
Surgery was quick and easy. Staff was very pleasant. Would recommend Dr. Chotiner very highly.
Patricia Scheidler
Service is very complete and professional. Dr. Erik Chotiner was very friendly and able to answer all of my questions. I am very pleased with service and will recommend.
A. Lawrence
I would recommend Memorial Eye Institute and Dr. Erik Chotiner for their expertise. They are all very professional and caring for their patients. It was an excellent experience.
Joyce Keefer

Take this quick quiz to see if you can be free of glasses and contacts

Not everyone is suitable for LASIK. Your options change depending on your eyes, your age and your lifestyle. Find out which type of treatment (if any), is right for you by taking this 2 min quiz now:

Recognized leaders in Harrisburg LASIK eye surgery

CHOOSE THE MOST EXPERIENCED LASIK SPECIALISTS IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA

Dr. Bennett Chotiner
M.D., F.A.C.S.

MEDICAL DIRECTOR, GENERAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, CATARACT & REFRACTIVE SURGERY, LASIK SURGERY

Dr. Bennett Chotiner is the founder and medical director of Memorial Eye Institute. A noted innovator, in 1977 he established his clinical practice, the Pennsylvania Eye Associates. In 1984, he established the Pennsylvania Eye Surgery Center, Pennsylvania’s first …

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Dr. Erik A Chotiner
M.D., F.A.C.S.

GENERAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, CATARACT & REFRACTIVE SURGERY, LASIK SURGERY

Erik Chotiner, M.D. diagnoses and treats a wide range of medical eye conditions. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Franklin and Marshall College. Dr. Chotiner attended Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia where he received multiple awards including the Physiology Prize for …

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