The corneal surface has evolved over thousands of years to protect and heal quickly. It is highly reactive, as any contact lens wearer knows. After creating a corneal flap, the laser energy is applied to the corneal stromal bed under the surface, where there is little healing reaction. The flap is repositioned and begins resealing in minutes. Patients are able to open their eyes immediately after the procedure, without a contact lens, and with nothing more than a slight sensation that something is in their eye.
Most patients have very good vision by morning.
The risk of significant complication with lasik- such as eye infection, in the hands of an experienced lasik surgeon, is very rare. See Lasik Index or Lasik animation for more details.