Fear of pain is one of the most common concerns people have before LASIK. As your surgery date approaches, you may wonder if I will blink, move my eye, see what the surgeon is doing, or feel anxious because I am awake.
Numbing eye drops help keep the eye’s surface comfortable and help you avoid pain during LASIK. You will still feel a normal sensation of temperature and pressure during your procedure. All these concerns are understandable.
At West Texas Eye Associates in Lubbock, you can explore your vision correction options and schedule a free vision correction consultation. Our team does an amazing job at explaining your options and helping you decide which is the safest and best option to clear vision!
Pain, Pressure, and Comfort During LASIK
During LASIK, numbing drops are applied generously to reduce pain. Pressure may be the most noticeable sensation during the surgeon’s creation of the corneal flap in the first part of the process. Your vision will temporarily dim or blur during this stage. The pressure is uncomfortable but not painful.
The second part of LASIK, after flap creation, is much easier, with almost no pressure sensation. Most patients only feel the coolness from the drops being used. The surgeon is very experienced and will guide you every step of the way to ensure you have the most comfortable experience possible. They are very patient and will guide you step by step through this process.
At the end of your LASIK procedure, the surgeon takes one final look at the flap position to ensure it is in the perfect position before the team goes over your postoperative instructions. On average, patients are at our center on the day of surgery for about 1 hour total time, start to finish!
Relaxing Medication, and Being Awake
LASIK is performed while you are awake. Relaxation medication is prescribed to help you relax during the procedure and to help you sleep after surgery, to help kickstart the healing process. The surgical team will guide you step by step through the process and ensure you remain comfortable.
Do not take an additional sedative or anxiety medication before surgery unless your treating team specifically approves it. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration explains what patients may experience before, during, and after LASIK and recommends discussing your expectations and questions with your doctor before proceeding.
Blinking and Eye Movement During LASIK
You do not have to keep your eyelids open through willpower. A small instrument called a lid speculum holds them open during LASIK, so you don’t have to worry about blinking during the procedure.
Being awake allows you to hear instructions and look toward a fixation light during treatment. Although our laser is equipped with a sophisticated tracker, being able to fixate on the light helps the efficiency of the entire process. Even if you cough, sneeze, or accidentally try to sit up during this part, the laser tracker will take over to ensure you do not harm any part of the result.
Tell the team beforehand if you have:
- A tremor or another condition that affects movement
- Neck or back discomfort while lying down
- Difficulty focusing on a fixed light
- Anxiety that makes it difficult to remain still
- A cough or another concern that could interrupt treatment
What You May See, Hear, and Smell
Fortunately, as we work close to your eyes, you will not see any sharp detail. Your vision may become blurry or dim, and you will be able to notice a red fixation light in front of you.
You may also hear sounds from the equipment. Some patients notice a ticking sound while the laser operates, and it’s normal to smell the laser as it reshapes the corneal tissue.
These sensations can be surprising when you do not expect them. Your surgeon will describe in advance what to expect and what you will see, hear, and feel before treatment starts.
Understanding Complications and Personal Risk
No surgery is risk-free. Our surgeons in pre-op will go over the risks, benefits, complications, and possible alternatives. Arming you with the knowledge to make an informed decision.
Possible LASIK side effects include dry eye, glare, halos, starbursts, double vision, and difficulty seeing in low-light conditions. Some patients may still need glasses or contact lenses after treatment. Additional treatment may not always be recommended or possible.
Less common but serious complications can include infection, inflammation, flap problems, or vision loss that glasses or contact lenses cannot fully correct. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration outlines LASIK risks and limitations and emphasizes weighing the possible benefits against the risks.
Your individual risk depends on your prescription, corneal measurements, tear-film health, overall eye health, and other clinical factors. Careful testing cannot remove every risk, but it helps determine whether LASIK may be appropriate for your eyes.
Our guide to what happens during a LASIK consultation explains how West Texas Eye Associates evaluates your eyes and discusses the procedures you may qualify for.
Discomfort During Early Recovery
Burning, itching, watering, grittiness, light sensitivity, blurry vision, and mild discomfort can occur during the early healing period. Arrange for someone to drive you home. Clearer vision soon after treatment does not mean your eyes have finished healing.
We will again guide you with your instructions for:
- Prescribed eye drops and artificial tears
- Protective goggles
- Avoiding eye rubbing
- Returning to work and driving
- Exercise, swimming, and eye makeup
- Follow-up examinations
Our vision correction recovery guide provides a broader comparison of healing after LASIK, PRK, and EVO ICL.
Recovery differs between procedures. LASIK, PRK, and EVO ICL have different healing timelines, so advice from someone who had another vision correction procedure may not apply to you.
Contact your surgeon immediately if you experience severe pain or if your vision or other symptoms worsen instead of improving. Do not wait for a scheduled appointment when symptoms are worsening.
Discuss Your LASIK Concerns in Lubbock
West Texas Eye Associates offers vision correction evaluations for patients in Lubbock and surrounding West Texas communities. LASIK procedures are available at the Laser Eye Center of Lubbock, where Jay C. Bradley, MD, and Dr. Tim Khater provide their refractive expertise.
Request a vision correction consultation. The team does an excellent job during this appointment, guiding you and addressing your concerns about LASIK. Clear, personalized answers can help you make an informed decision about your vision and your next step.