The technique of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) has been used with very encouraging results in the treatment of all degrees of myopia and also shows considerable promise in the treatment of hyperopia. Compared with photorefractive keratectomy, LASIK is advantageous in causing minimal postoperative discomfort, in its rapid recovery of clear vision and stabilization of refractive change, in the infrequent occurrence of haze, and in its greater facility in correcting high degrees of myopia. However, LASIK is the more surgically demanding technique. We discuss our own experience with LASIK as well as published data from other centers. We anticipate that LASIK will continue to increase in importance in the surgical correction of refractive error.