Can I be put to sleep for LASIK?

The entire LASIK procedure is usually performed in 30 minutes. Patients are not put to sleep during the surgery. Rest assured, you will not feel any pain because the LASIK procedure begins with the ophthalmologist numbing the eyes with eye drops.

Can you ask to be put to sleep for LASIK?

Unfortunately, patients should be awake for LASIK surgery. No, the doctors aren't sadists who want to watch you squirm. Actually, being put to sleep during LASIK does more harm than good. In order for the doctor to perform optimally, he or she needs your cooperation, and therefore, your cognizance.

Can you be sedated for laser eye surgery?

Before the LASIK procedure begins, patients may be offered a very mild oral sedative. This sedative will help you feel relaxed while remaining awake. Patients will then be given anesthetic eye drops that numb the eyes.

What happens if you blink during LASIK?

Among the most frequently asked questions: What happens if I sneeze or blink during my LASIK surgery? The short answer: Blinking or sneezing will not affect the outcome of your surgery.

Are you put under anesthesia for LASIK?

LASIK surgery usually takes less than 10 minutes and does not require general anesthesia. The laser that reshapes the cornea typically is on less than one minute per eye.

LASIK instructions Do's

How do you stay calm during LASIK?

Why do they keep you awake during LASIK?

This is because general anaesthesia carries a higher risk than LASIK itself, so surgeons prefer not to use it. LASIK surgery is so quick—it only takes a few minutes—that patients only need local anesthesia in the form of eye drops. These completely numb the eyes but you will be completely awake for the entire surgery.

Do they put a needle in your eye for LASIK?

Injections and Needles are not used during LASIK laser eye surgery. Instead, topical anesthetic drops are the only type of anesthesia used to numb the eye during laser surgery. Patients are awake and comfortable during surgery.

What happens if you need to sneeze during LASIK?

If you sneeze, move or blink during the treatment, the laser tracks your eye over one thousand times per second and adjusts the laser to make certain the laser is applied to exactly the right place. So, there is no reason to worry if you sneeze during LASIK.

How long does LASIK surgery take?

The surgery should take less than 30 minutes. You will lie on your back in a reclining chair in an exam room containing the laser system. The laser system includes a large machine with a microscope attached to it and a computer screen.

How painful is laser eye surgery?

Fortunately, LASIK eye 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.

Is it harder to see at night after LASIK?

Does LASIK Affect Night Vision? Vision disturbances including decreased night vision can occur immediately after a LASIK procedure, according to Mayo Clinic. However, while you may experience difficulty with night vision right after your procedure, it typically will not last beyond a few weeks.

How long do I have to sleep with goggles after LASIK?

Wear the plastic shield(s) or goggles every night for the next 5 nights. This prevents you from rubbing your eye(s) while sleeping. For the first two weeks following surgery, wear sunglasses when you are outdoors, even when it is cloudy.

Does it hurt to not blink during LASIK?

No, the laser has an advanced tracking device which follows your small eye movements during the surgery. Your only job is to focus as best you can on a blinking light. Should you need to sneeze, cough, or even scratch your nose, the laser will stop when you move too much.

What shouldn't you do before LASIK?

On the day of LASIK, don't wear makeup, perfumes, or lotions. On the day of your procedure, don't load up on heavy makeup, perfumes, or lotions. You should take a shower and make sure your face is clean of any contaminants the morning of LASIK. Make sure to skip any perfumes as well.

What can you not do during LASIK?

Do not take off the eye patch protection on the very day of the surgery. Do not rub your eyes or touch your eyes with dirty hands. Do not splash water into the eyes for at least 2 weeks post the surgery. Do not use tap water to clean your eyes.

What age is good for LASIK surgery?

Generally speaking, most LASIK eye surgeons agree on 25-40 as the ideal age range for LASIK eye surgery candidacy for a few reasons. By the age of 25, eyeglasses and contact lens prescriptions have most likely stabilized. A stable prescription is one of the hallmarks of a good LASIK candidate.

What is the pain like after LASIK?

Severe pain after LASIK surgery is extremely rare and should not be expected in general. However, some minor discomfort and soreness are to be expected. This discomfort could take the form of itchiness or even burning; more commonly, patients feel a sensation similar to the presence of a foreign object in the eye.

Does LASIK last forever?

While the effects of LASIK surgery are permanent, the benefits can decrease over time. For most patients, the results of LASIK will last a lifetime. About 10-12% of patients nationwide will need an enhancement surgery because of anatomical changes to the eye/eyes.

Who should not have laser eye surgery?

You have a disease or are on medications that may affect wound healing. Certain conditions, such as autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), immunodeficiency states (e.g., HIV) and diabetes, and some medications (e.g., retinoic acid and steroids) may prevent proper healing after a refractive procedure.

Can you take Xanax for LASIK surgery?

The day of surgery, the eye is numbed with topical eye drops. Many offices will also give you an anti-anxiety medication such as Xanax or Valium to calm your nervous.

How soon after LASIK can I shower?

Nunnery advise patients that it is okay to bathe or shower normally the day after your LASIK eye surgery. For the first week after your LASIK surgery, it's important to keep water, soap, hair care products and/or washing liquids away from the eye. Do not rub your eyes while bathing.

What happens if you don't wear sunglasses after LASIK?

If your eyes are exposed to UV rays without protection shortly after the surgery, your eyes may suffer from corneal haze which means a hazy or foggy view. It is very important that you make sure that your sunglasses have 100% UVA and UVB protection.

Can we cry after LASIK?

It's okay to cry after LASIK. Whether your eyes are watery or you happen to cry for an emotional reason, natural tears won't harm the corneal flaps or hinder the healing process. Crying can actually help keep your eyes lubricated.

Can you drive immediately after LASIK?

Each patient's recovery from LASIK surgery is unique and the actual length of time required to wait before driving can be resumed will vary. With that said, many people are ready to drive as early as the day after surgery. Before patients are allowed to drive, they will need to get approval from their doctor.