Laser eye surgery. Surgeon using a microscope to view the eye of a patient during LASIK surgery. LASIK (laser assisted in situ keratomileusis) uses a laser to correct a condition called astigmatism. This is where the front of the eye (the cornea) is the wrong shape. The laser is used to correct the shape. The patient's eye is seen on the screen at upper centre. Surgical spreaders are holding the eyelids open. The surgeon is adding drops to the eye, most probably an anaesthetic to numb the eye before a flap of the cornea is cut open to allow the laser to be used. Photographed in France.