According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, about 700,000 Americans have LASIK surgery every year. Most people are pleased with the results, but a small percentage experience complications that make their vision and quality of life worse. That's why it's important to fully understand the procedure and its risks and benefits.

During the procedure, the doctor will put numbing drops in your eye so that you won't feel pain or discomfort. He or she will then insert a lid speculum into your eye to keep your eyelids open.

Next, a suction ring will be placed on the front of your eye to lift and flatten the cornea -- and to prevent your eye from moving. You may feel some pressure on your eye, similar to pressing a finger on your eyelid.

The doctor then cuts a small, hinged flap of tissue from the front of the cornea and folds it back. The laser is moved into position, and you will be asked to stare at a point of light. Once your gaze is steady, the doctor will use the laser to sculpt and reshape the cornea, based on eye measurements made during an earlier eye exam. With the treatment finished, the doctor replaces the flap of tissue.

The procedure takes about 10 to 15 minutes per eye. Some surgeons work on both eyes at one sitting. Other surgeons perform LASIK on one eye and then wait until vision improves to do the second. In some cases, vision improves immediately. In others, improvement occurs gradually over three to six months.

LASIK is not for everyone. Most insurance companies do not cover the surgery, so you will likely need to pay for it yourself. The cost varies, but usually runs several thousand dollars per eye.