Objective To compare the influence of residual corneal thickness on the biomechanical properties of the cornea and corneal deformation 6 months after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Methods Sixteen New Zealand white rabbits (32 eyes) were randomly divided into 4 groups. Eight eyes were analyzed in each group. LASIK was performed on the rabbits in groups A, B and C with residual corneal stroma thicknesses of 30%, 50% and 70%, respectively. The rabbits in group D were the controls. Corneal topography was analyzed 6 months after LASIK. Strips of cornea were tested for uniaxial tension and creep with an Inatron 5544. The viscoelastic coefficients of the creep experiment were plotted for the different residual corneal thicknesses using the least squares fit method and the regression and experimental curves were plotted. Results Central corneal curvature was higher than peripheral corneal curvature in the therapy areas in group A. There was no ectasia or keratoconus on the corneal topography in group B and C. The elasticity modules of the cornea for the 3 different groups that underwent LASIK and the normal group have significant differences except for group C (P>0.05). Conclusion Stiffness coefficients diminished with an increase in the depth of the incision and the anti-tensile ability of the corneas is also reduced after LASIK. Further study needs to be done on keratoconus after LASIK with a residual stroma thickness of 50% of the cornea.