In laser eye surgery, a medical doctor specializing in eye surgery (ophthalmologist) uses a high-tech laser to carefully shape your cornea. Laser eye surgery is often an excellent solution for nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Laser eye surgery replaces traditional surgical tools with a state-of-the-art laser. Some types of laser surgery still use a scalpel to create an incision, but the surgeon does all corneal reshaping with an advanced laser system. Laser surgery is more precise, less invasive, and has a shorter recovery period than traditional surgery with hand-held surgical tools.