LASIK eye surgery is a very popular procedure in part because it is patient-friendly in many ways. The procedure only takes about 15 minutes for both eyes, and the healing process begins immediately with little to no discomfort. Another perk is that it doesn’t take long to start seeing positive results, and getting back to most of your favorite activities. Although the results of LASIK surgery are very consistent, there are still questions to be answered.
One of the most common questions is: does LASIK hurt? The short answer is no, for most people, it doesn’t. In order to explain the long answer, let us look at why LASIK eye surgery is able to deliver results with very minimal pain or discomfort.
In order to understand why LASIK causes little or no pain, it helps to understand a bit about how the procedure works. The goal of LASIK is to gently reshape the cornea, treating only very small portions of tissue, by using a precise laser. Throughout the procedure in Rancho Cucamonga, your surgeon will also take every step to ensure that you are comfortable.
Local Anesthetic – Before your LASIK eye surgery begins, your surgeon will use eye drops to numb the surface of your eyes. These eye drops feel just like the type that you’d normally use to lubricate dry eyes, but they also contain a numbing agent so that you shouldn’t feel anything, except some pressure, during your LASIK procedure.
During LASIK Surgery – During surgery, the first step is creating the flap. This may cause you to feel a pressure sensation, but it is more of an odd or uncomfortable feeling than a painful one. Your eyelids will be held open with a special tool during the procedure, and while this may feel a little strange it is unlikely to cause any pain.
Excimer Laser – The cool beam of the excimer laser used to perform LASIK eye surgery is incredibly precise and guided by a computer which maps the structure of your eyes down to a microscopic level. During the portion of LASIK when your cornea is being reshaped, you actually shouldn’t feel any discomfort at all.
After your LASIK eye surgery is complete, you may notice slight pain, itching or discomfort as your eyes start to heal and your vision stabilizes. These symptoms are common and typically clear up quickly as your eyes go through the healing process. So while no surgery can truly claim to be completely pain-free, LASIK eye surgery is about as close as it gets – both during and after your procedure.
To learn more about LASIK or to schedule your LASIK consultation in San Clemente, contact Harvard Eye Associates at 949-951-2020 or harvardeye.com.
