Does Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK) Hurt
A common question when considering LASIK eye surgery is, “Does LASIK hurt?” Fear of pain is a deterrent for many individuals who would otherwise benefit from this life-changing procedure. Let’s explore today whether LASIK eye surgery hurts, what the procedure is, and what patients can expect during recovery.
Understanding LASIK Eye Surgery
It’s important to choose a qualified and experienced surgeon for your LASIK procedure. Before discussing whether LASIK surgery hurts, let’s first understand what LASIK is. LASIK is a commonly used laser eye procedure that helps correct vision problems such as farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism. During this surgery, the cornea is reshaped to improve how the eye focuses light, resulting in clearer vision.
The LASIK Procedure: Step by Step
To determine how much LASIK eye surgery will hurt for you, you must first understand the steps involved in the procedure. Let’s examine each step in detail and learn about it individually.
Preparation & Anesthetic Eye Drops
Before the LASIK eye surgery begins, your eye doctor administers anesthetic eye drops to numb your eye. These numbing eye drops ensure you do not feel pain during the procedure. Most patients report that the eye drops cause a slight stinging sensation, but this discomfort is temporary and minimal.
Creation of the Corneal Flap
The second step is creating the corneal flap. Once your eye is numbed, your surgeon makes a thin flap on the cornea using a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser. This flap might cause some pressure on the eye, but it is not painful. You might feel pressure or slight discomfort during this step, but there is no need to worry because it’s part of the procedure.
Reshaping the Cornea with a Laser
After making a small flap in the outer layer of your eye, the eye surgeon uses a special laser guided by a computer to reshape the inner tissue. You might notice a slight smell and clicking noise during this step, but they shouldn’t feel pain. The laser works fast, usually taking less than a minute to complete.
Repositioning the Corneal Flap
Once the cornea is reshaped, your eye surgeon carefully repositions the corneal flap, which acts as a natural bandage and helps with quick healing. This is the last step and is also painless.
Does LASIK Eye Surgery Hurt During the Procedure?
Now, the answer to the real question is, does LASIK eye surgery hurt during the procedure? Thanks to the anesthetic eye drops, LASIK eye surgery does not hurt. The numbing eye drops block pain, allowing you to remain comfortable throughout the procedure. The most common sensations patients report are mild discomfort and slight pressure, which are not described as painful. Overall, the procedure is painless and safe.
Post-Surgery Experience: What to Expect
While the LASIK is virtually pain-free, you may experience some discomfort during the healing process. Here’s what you can expect after LASIK eye surgery is done.
Post-Surgery Sensations
After the numbing eye drops wear off, you may experience mild discomfort or a feeling of grittiness in your eyes. This sensation is often compared to having a grain of sand or an eyelash in the eye. Some patients also report burning or mild itching sensations, but these are mild and temporary, and there is no need to worry about them.
Light Sensitivity & Discomfort
Vision Fluctuations
Improved vision is one of the primary benefits of LASIK eye surgery. It’s important to remember that it’s not uncommon for vision to fluctuate during the initial healing period after the surgery. You may notice variations in your vision clarity for several weeks as your eyes adjust. This is a normal part of the healing process, not a cause for worry.
Tearing & Redness
Tearing and redness are something you can expect after the LASIK surgery. You should know that it is normal for eyes to tear more than usual and appear red in the first few days after the LASIK procedure. These symptoms are part of the natural healing process and resolve quickly, so there is no need to worry much about them.
Severe Pain In Eyes
Severe pain after LASIK surgery is an uncommon occurrence. If you experience severe pain, it is essential to immediately reach out to your eye doctor, as this may signal a potential complication that requires immediate attention. Your doctor will be able to provide the necessary treatment and guidance to manage any complications that may arise.
The Healing Process Post LASIK
First 24 Hours
First Week
During the first week, you should avoid rubbing your eyes, which could dislodge the corneal flap. Protective eyewear, such as goggles, may be recommended to wear at night to prevent accidental eye rubbing during sleep. Mild discomfort and light sensitivity may persist for some time but usually improve within this time.
Follow-Up Appointments
Follow-up appointments with your eye doctor are scheduled to assess the healing process and ensure your eyes recover correctly. The first follow-up is the day after surgery, with additional visits over the following weeks and months. Attending these follow-up appointments is essential to address potential complications should they arise.
Long-Term Healing
Full recovery from LASIK surgery can take several months, during which time the cornea stabilizes and your vision sharpens. While many patients achieve improved vision almost immediately, minor adjustments are normal over the first few months. Communication with your eye doctor is the key, so make sure you are always open about everything when you are healing.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, LASIK is an effective and well-tolerated eye procedure for correcting vision problems. With anesthetic eye drops, most patients experience little to no pain during the surgery. Any mild discomfort during the initial healing process is manageable and temporary, and the potential benefits of improved vision are significant.
Severe pain and other complications are rare, but most patients enjoy improved vision and a quick and comfortable recovery. If you are considering LASIK surgery, consult an experienced eye doctor to know if you are a good candidate and to learn about any concerns about the LASIK eye procedure. By understanding what to expect during and after LASIK surgery, you can make the best decision for yourself and look forward to the benefits of improved vision and better quality of life.
Achieve Clear Vision with Bagan Strinden Vision
For experienced and expert eye surgery, contact Bagan Strinden Vision today. We specialize in glaucoma treatment, general eye care, eyelid procedures, laser eye surgery, and cataract surgery. With over 30,000 cataract surgeries and 15,000 LASIK surgeries, our success in eye surgeries speaks for itself. Our team is well-trained to understand your eye condition. With over 25 years in practice, we have a wealth of experience. Contact Bagan Strinden Vision today!
