Medically Reviewed by: Edward C. Wade, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Does Laser Eye Surgery Hurt?
When people think of lasers, they’re more likely envision destructive ray guns or a light show at a rock concert than eye surgery. It’s no surprise then that many people believe laser eye surgery is a risky and scary procedure. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth; LASIK surgery is not only very safe, it entails very little discomfort as well. But still the mystery remains, what really does happen during LASIK?
Pre-Surgery Preparation
Prior to the surgery, the first thing that the doctor will do is put numbing drops into your eye. These drops are an anesthetic, which begin the process of relaxing your eye. The muscles within your eye will then loosen up, causing you to blink a lot more infrequently than normal. With your eye relaxed, the doctor will apply a clamp to hold your eyelid open for total stability during the operation. There’s no risk of you blinking and messing up the surgery, and you won’t feel any pain or discomfort since your eyes have been numbed.
During the Surgery
When the anesthetic is fully activated and your eye is totally numb and relaxed, a corneal flap is made and the laser begins to reshape your cornea. The laser part of the surgery lasts for less than a minute. It’s possible to feel a little bit of pressure on your eye while the laser is working, but any discomfort you may feel doesn’t last long. There won’t be any burning either, since the laser is actually cold!
Post-Surgery Recovery
LASIK surgery isn’t a painful procedure. The peak amount of discomfort that happens post-surgery lasts for about three to five hours, when it’s best to keep your eye closed allowing your eyes to heal. The corneal flap that is made during the surgery heals quickly by resting the day of your surgery coupled with medicated eye drops for the week following surgery.
Dispel the Myth of Painful Laser Eye Surgery
With all the facts in consideration, we can confidently say that LASIK does not hurt. At most, LASIK causes mild discomfort for a few hours. The biggest hurdles for patients considering LASIK is not the surgery itself, but the misconceptions and fears surrounding the procedure. Thankfully, the remedy for this is simple:
Talk to your doctor at Eye Center of Texas about LASIK and learn exactly what happens during the surgery. Doing so will not only remove any of your uncertainties around the procedure, but will also help you gain confidence that the future of your vision is in the hands of professionals.
Are you ready to improve your vision? Contact Eye Center of Texas today to learn more about laser eye surgery. Or, call with any questions at 713-395-1515.
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