The LASIK procedure is one of the most common types of laser eye surgery performed today. It is used to treat a variety of different types of vision conditions, including astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness. Understandably, many people have questions about this procedure with “Are you awake during LASIK surgery?” being one of the top frequently asked questions.
Yes, you will be awake for your entire LASIK corrective eye surgery procedure. Some people assume because they are undergoing a surgical procedure that they will be given anesthesia and be put to sleep. Yet, unlike other types of surgeries, laser surgery only takes a few minutes to complete.
You don’t have to worry about being awake, either. Your laser eye surgeon will use local anesthesia eye drops to numb the eyes before they begin the laser surgery. To help you relax and put you at ease, your surgical team explains what they are doing while they are doing it.
The total time to do both eyes is not that long. Many people are surprised afterward how fast, quick, and painless the LASIK procedure was and, even if they had reservations or fears before, they are happy they got it done. In many cases, they will never need to worry about wearing contacts or glasses again!
What if I Move or Blink During LAISK Corrective Eye Surgery?
While some people might be picturing lasers shooting out of the ceiling and going out of control if they move, cough, sneeze, or even blink, the process is not as scary they envision in their minds. For starters, you will be lying down in a comfortable position with your head supported.
Next, your laser eye surgeon will use a special blinking retainer to hold the eyelid in place and out of the way. Along with their state-of-the-art laser eye surgery equipment that can track the movements of the eye at speeds of 4,000+ time per second, you have nothing to worry about.
The surgical equipment your laser eye surgeon uses is very precise and accurate. LASIK is one of the most successful types of surgeries today, with minimal risks and very few side effects. In the time it takes for you to worry about what possibly could go wrong, your LASIK eye surgery will be over.
What to Expect Post-Surgery
Afterward, you will notice your vision can seem hazy or blurry. This is normal. Your vision will start to clear up within the next 24 to 48 hours. A follow-up visit is scheduled for the following day to check your vision and ensure everything is progressing as it should.
Part of your recovery does require you to follow your eye surgeon’s instructions and use any prescribed medications or eye drops as directed. You will want to avoid rubbing and touching your eyes until the eyes are healed.
You may even be surprised during follow-up visits to learn your vision has improved to 20/20 or, in some cases, even better. Yet, not everyone achieves this level of improvement since it depends on a variety of factors like current vision problems, overall health, etc.
Now that you know that LASIK corrective eye surgery is not as scary as you may have envisioned even though you are awake, isn’t time to improve your vision? To schedule a LASIK consultation to find out if you are an ideal candidate, please feel free to contact ADV Vision Centers at (805) 987-5300 today!
We have locations throughout California’s Central Coast and offer a wide range of vision-correction services, including LASIK, cataract surgery, glaucoma treatment, and general ophthalmology.
