Do they put you to sleep for LASIK surgery?

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. To make you feel comfortable and relaxed, the eye surgeons explain every step of the surgery.

What happens if you blink during laser eye surgery?

Yes—patients are awake during LASIK. However, there is no need to worry if you accidentally blink or move your eyes during the surgery. Thanks to advanced LASIK technologies in Billings, your eyes will remain comfortably steady as our doctors provide the vision correction results you need to see as clearly as possible.

Is LASIK painful?

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.

Are you awake when you have laser eye surgery?

You'll be fully awake and conscious during the treatment, and the anaesthetic will make the process virtually pain free. The name laser eye surgery can be misleading as there's no actual surgery involved.

Does LASIK surgery require anesthesia?

LASIK is not like most surgical procedures because general anesthesia is not necessary. While some patients may prefer the idea of being “put to sleep” for the duration of their procedure, it is actually very important that LASIK patients be alert and able to follow directions during the surgery.

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Can you go blind from LASIK?

MYTH #2: You will go blind. Actually, as of this writing, there are no reported cases of blindness due to LASIK surgery itself. In a recent study, it was discovered that patients actually have a 34 times higher risk of going blind from a contact lens infection than going blind from LASIK.

How long does LASIK last for?

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.

What is the best age for laser eye 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.

Can you 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 LASIK give you 20 20 vision?

During a LASIK procedure, a laser is used to change the shape of one or both corneas to improve vision. According to the American Refractive Surgery Council, more than 90% of LASIK patients achieve 20/20 vision or better after 2 to 3 months of post-surgery recovery.

Do they give you pain meds after LASIK?

Since the pain experienced after LASIK is generally manageable, your surgeon will likely recommend over-the-counter pain medication that you can take if needed. Be sure to take this medication as instructed. Prescription pain relievers may be provided as well in some cases.

Who is not suitable for laser eye surgery?

So, the types of conditions that stop people from having laser eye surgery are divided up into eye conditions where people have either severe dry eye, or any other abnormality of the shape of the cornea such as keratoconus.

What if I look away during LASIK?

Professor Dan Reinstein explains how looking away, blinking, coughing or sneezing during the procedure doesn't affect the results of Laser Eye Surgery. It's inevitable your eyes will move during the procedure. For this reason most lasers used in clinics today are equipped with eye-tracking technology.

What would disqualify me from LASIK?

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. You actively participate in contact sports.

How soon after LASIK can you drive?

The length of time each patient must wait to drive after LASIK surgery will vary based on the individual. However, most people are given their doctor's approval to drive as soon as the day after surgery. A post-op exam will be performed the day after surgery.

How long do your eyes hurt after LASIK?

How long do eyes hurt after LASIK? The eyes are usually uncomfortable for one to two days after LASIK surgery, but some patients will experience eye pain for as long as one month. On notably rare occasions, a patient might experience pain or burning of the eyes for as long as a year post-op.

How long does it take for flaps to heal from LASIK?

While LASIK recovery time will vary from person to person, it may take up to three months for the LASIK flap to completely finish the healing process. That being said, the flap should be mostly healed and secure after one week and most normal activities can be resumed at that time.

Can I get LASIK twice?

Is it possible to have LASIK surgery twice? The short answer is yes, though this is usually only done 5 – 10 years after the initial treatment. However, rest assured that LASIK offers long-term vision correction, and very few people require a second session.

What prescription is too high for LASIK?

The prescription limit for treating hyperopia with LASIK is typically somewhere around 3.0 to 4.0 D. Most clinics don't treat severely hyperopic patients, +5 or over, as they do not have the technology or expertise to do so safely.

Does LASIK fix astigmatism?

The ultra-precise lasers used for LASIK surgery can be programmed to reshape the cornea so the front surface of the eye is more symmetrical, thereby eliminating vision problems caused by astigmatism. Most of the time astigmatism can be fully corrected with a single LASIK procedure.

Do eyes get worse after LASIK?

Once you've recovered from Laser Eye Surgery, the changes made to your cornea by the laser are permanent and completely stable. The eye quickly adapts to your new vision. However, it is possible that your eyesight will worsen after Laser Eye Surgery due to an unavoidable part of the body's ageing process.

Does LASIK have side effects?

Risks. Complications that result in a loss of vision are very rare. But certain side effects of LASIK eye surgery, particularly dry eyes and temporary visual problems such as glare, are fairly common. These usually clear up after a few weeks or months, and very few people consider them to be a long-term problem.

Is LASIK covered by insurance?

Since LASIK is considered an elective surgery by most insurers, getting insurance coverage for the surgery can be a challenge. Luckily, many insurance companies are now starting programs to help patients afford LASIK. LASIK - clear vision without contacts or glasses!

What age is too late for LASIK?

LASIK eye surgery age limits

LASIK is FDA-approved for anyone aged 18 and older. This is the only hard and fast rule for an age limit for this procedure, but since adult vision is typically at its healthiest from age 19 to 40, anyone within this range is a great candidate.