Keratomileusis

The most common modern procedure, LASIK, is performed through lifting the front surface of the eye by forming a thin hinged flap under which the shape of the cornea is changed by using an excimer laser or other surgical device. A microkeratome is usually used to cut the flap, but a femtosecond laser can also be used to make the flap.

Before the advent of the excimer laser, keratomileusis was done using a cryolathe, which froze thin flaps of corneal tissue and lathe cut them much like one cuts the lens of a pair of glasses. After thawing, these reshaped flaps were placed under the front flap to reshape the cornea.