The historical background and the current perspective of excimer laser refractive surgeries were reviewed witha special reference to LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis) which has attracted great attention as a majorsurgical modality for correcting myopes. LASIK is certainly thought to be the most acceptable keratorefractiveprocedure that has ever been designed, however, several issues including a variety of flap-related complications, decentered ablation, iatrogenic keratectasia, decreased contrast sensitivity due to creating the oblatecornea have remained to be resolved.