I perform two types of surgeries: LASIK and LASEK, in our Centre. During the LASIK procedure a microkeratome is used to create a very thin flap of the cornea. The surgeon then folds back the hinged flap to access the stroma and reshape the corneal tissue using a laser. In LASEK method an ultra-thin “flap” of epithelium is pushed off to one side of the cornea, where it remains attached to the eye. After the laser treatment is finished, the epithelial tissue is repositioned on the surface of the eye to cover the lasered stroma. I am not sure whether this answer will satisfy you, because the older methods of correction included cutting the cornea in order to reshape it – such surgeries are not performed in our Centre. If you have any further questions – feel free to ask them, I will be happy to help you.