Does LASIK Eye Surgery Hurt?

As LASIK eye surgery is considered perhaps one of the greatest (if not single greatest) innovations for improving and correcting vision, there are understandably a number of questions regarding the operation, such as if the procedure ultimately leads to 20/20 vision. One question many potential patients have—but are afraid to ask—has to do with how much pain may be involved with the procedure.

Is LASIK surgery painful?

Fortunately, LASIK eye surgery is not painful. In fact, patients are fully awake during the operation. So, the surgery is not painful. Right before your procedure, your surgeon will place numbing eye drops into both of your eyes. While you may still feel a little bit of pressure during the procedure, you should not feel any pain. It is after the operation, however, when discomfort sets in. It is not uncommon for patients to experience tearing, burning, and being very sensitive to light for anywhere from two-to-four hours after their LASIK surgeries, but it should go away quickly. It is because of these feelings of discomfort that patients are advised to rest as much as possible, post-LASIK, and avoid any undertaking any activities that might risk hurting their vision.

What Does LASIK Eye Surgery Involve?

The main goal of LASIK eye surgery is to change the shape of the cornea so that it can better focus images onto the retina, allowing you to see more clearly. This effect is achieved through the use of two lasers.

On the day of your LASIK eye surgery you can expect the following:

1. Your doctor will test your eyes to make sure your eye health history is correct and up to date.
2. Numbing eye drops will be placed in both of your eyes and you’ll be given a sedative.
3. Your surgeon will use a femtosecond laser to create a thin, circular “flap” in your cornea. The flap will then be folded back, allowing your surgeon to access the stroma, or underlying cornea.
4. A laser with cool ultraviolet beams will be used to remove small amounts of tissue from your cornea to reshape it. This enables it to more accurately focus light on your retina for improved vision.
5. If you are nearsighted, the laser will be used to flatten your cornea. If you are farsighted, the laser will create a steeper cornea.
6. The flap will then be laid back in place, covering the area where the corneal tissue was removed.
7. The cornea will then be given time to heal naturally.

Does LASIK eye surgery hurt? Hopefully, you realize by now that the answer is no. LASIK is a quick and painless outpatient procedure that takes about 10 minutes per eye. LASIK is one the most commonly performed refractive surgeries today. It treats myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism to decrease or entirely eliminate the need for glasses. Hundreds of thousands of people get LASIK every year in the US and don’t look back.

Contact us today to see if you are a candidate for LASIK Eye Surgery

If you’re still wondering, is laser eye surgery painful, come in for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. During your visit we will perform all the necessary measurements to ensure that surgery is a safe option for you. You can also research everything you need to know about LASIK eye surgery and find out if you are eligible to have this procedure. To schedule a consultation please call our office at 855.295.4144.