What Will Happen Before, During, and After My LASIK Surgery?

LASIK is much like any other experience. That is, when you don’t know what to expect, the process can be a little intimidating--even downright scary. To put your mind at ease, let’s take a look at what you can expect on the day of your LASIK procedure and during the post-operative phase.

After you’ve been approved for LASIK laser eye surgery, the medical staff will give you some instructions regarding the day of the surgery. If you’re a contact lens wearer, you’ll be advised to stop wearing your lenses for a few weeks prior to your surgery. You will also be advised to stop taking certain medications or using certain cosmetics that might irritate your eyes. Always follow the pre-surgical instructions of your LASIK eye doctors carefully.

On the day of your LASIK procedure, you should arrive at the vision center with clean skin and no eye makeup. The medical team will place numbing drops in your eyes to minimize your discomfort during LASIK. You can also request a mild sedative if you’re nervous about the procedure. You will be awake during the entire operation.

After the anesthetic eye drops have taken effect, the doctor will use a lid speculum to hold your eyelids open. The doctor will place a cleansing solution in each eye. Then a small suction ring is used to hold the cornea in place. While you stare at a fixed point of light, the surgeon will use a tiny blade to cut a flap in your corneal epithelial tissue. This flap is then folded back like a hinge, and a laser is used to reshape the deeper layers of the cornea.

The actual surgery takes only a few minutes per eye. Afterward, the refractive surgeon will close the corneal flaps. The flaps will act as their own bandages, making stitches unnecessary. Since your eyes will be sensitive following the procedure, you will be given eye shields to wear while sleeping. Your doctor will also prescribe antibiotic eye drops to prevent infection, and will advise you to refrain from activities that might strain your eyes or get water in them.

Most LASIK patients experience dry eyes, light sensitivity, or blurred vision for a few weeks following their procedure. If you have concerns, be sure to address them at your post-surgical check-up, which is typically held within a day or two of your LASIK surgery.