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LASIK is lamellar laser refractive surgery in which the excimer laser ablation is done under a partial-thickness corneal flap. Until recently, the corneal flap could only be made with a microkeratome. The microkeratome uses an oscillating blade to cut the flap after immobilisation of the cornea with a suction ring.

A femtosecond laser (Intralase) can also create a corneal flap (the laser energy creates the cut; no mechanical blade cut). The femtosecond laser provides more accuracy in flap thickness; the microkeratome cuts can vary widely in depth, even with the same preset thickness. Laser flap creation is less dependent on the corneal curvature and might be more reliable in cases of steep or flat corneas.