LASIK Eye Surgery: Comfort, Procedure Steps & Recovery Insights

LASIK Eye Surgery: Comfort, Procedure Steps & Recovery Insights

LASIK Eye Surgery – What the Procedure Involves

The LASIK procedure can sound overwhelming. To give an overall idea, below is a sequence of steps outlining what the LASIK surgery procedure looks like.

• Usually, the doctor starts with pre-surgical preparation, where the eyes of the patient are cleaned and prepared using sterilisation. Eyelid holders are used to prevent blinking of the eyes. Drops of anaesthetic solution are used to numb the surface of the eyes, making LASIK a minimally invasive procedure.
• After pre-surgical preparation, the surgeon creates a thin flap in the cornea using a mechanical blade or femtolaser laser.
• Post that, the surgeon reshapes the cornea using an excimer laser. For nearsightedness, the surgeon flattens the cornea. For farsightedness, the surgeon makes the cornea steeper. On the other hand, for astigmatism, the surgeon tries to smooth the irregular areas.
• The corneal flap, so created, is repositioned over the treated area to adhere naturally.
• After the surgery, the surgeon advises dos and don’ts to the patient to help with the healing of the cornea.

The entire LASIK procedure is quick and efficient, and is often completed within 30 minutes for both eyes. The initial 10 to 15 minutes are required for cleaning the eyes, administering numbing anaesthetic drops, positioning the patient, and aligning the laser system. Post that, actual reshaping of the cornea takes less than one minute per eye, depending on the degree of correction required. The post-surgical checks, such as examination of the eyes and repositioning of the flap, take about 5 to 10 minutes. Patients can usually go home the same day without requiring any special assistance.

Is LASIK Eye Surgery Preferred for People with Contact Lenses?

The LASIK eye surgeon will conduct a comprehensive eye exam before recommending the LASIK procedure to measure the thickness of the cornea, corneal surface and lining, production of tears, and assess the overall health.

Contact lenses remain in physical contact with the surface of the eyes. When worn on a regular basis, they can alter the natural shape of the cornea. LASIK, as mentioned above, focuses on reshaping the cornea to correct the vision. Now, since contact lenses form physical contact with the surface of the eyes, inaccurate measurements and suboptimal outcomes may occur, leading to overcorrection or undercorrection when worn very near to the surgery. That is why surgeons ask patients to stop wearing lenses for a few days to a few weeks before the LASIK procedure.

• For soft contact lenses, the waiting period is generally from 1 to 2 weeks before the LASIK surgery.
• For hard contact lenses, the waiting period may extend from 3 to 4 weeks before the LASIK surgery.
• Specifically for astigmatism, toric soft lenses are available, which require a waiting period of around 2 weeks.

After the waiting period is over, a comprehensive LASIK evaluation is done by surgeons to assess the health of the patient’s eyes. Usually, pre-LASIK assessment looks as follows:

• Measuring the size of the pupil before surgery
• Checking the corneal surface and lining to detect any irregularities
• General eye health check-up to check for eye conditions and signs of inflammation or dryness
• Using tests to measure the thickness of the cornea
• Using tear film evaluation to identify and rectify symptoms of dry eyes
• Checking the eyes for higher-order aberrations using wavefront analysis

There are a few tips to ensure that your eyes are ready for the LASIK procedure. These include:

• It is advised to follow the no-lens rule strictly before the surgery, as they can reshape the cornea, leading to inaccurate measurements.
• Hydration is important for the eyes; use lubricating eye drops as per the doctor’s recommendation.
• It is recommended to avoid rubbing the eyes, as it can distort the corneal layer.
• It is recommended to consume a balanced and nutrient-rich diet, rich in vitamins and minerals to support overall eye health.

Pain Management After LASIK Eye Surgery

While LASIK is a painless procedure, it is common for some patients to experience discomfort and irritation in the eyes. To manage the discomfort, the following measures can be taken:

• It is recommended to use either antibiotic or steroid lubricating drops to prevent dry eyes and infections. They also help with pain, inflammation, and discomfort in the eyes.
• It is advisable to wear protective gear or eye masks to avoid accidental rubbing of the eyes.
• It is recommended to avoid direct splashing of water in the eyes, as it can cause pressure and harm the cornea.
• It is important to limit screen time to reduce any strain and dryness in the eyes.
• As the eyes are more sensitive to irritation after the surgery, it is recommended to avoid dusty or smoky environments.
• It is also advised to avoid entering pools, lakes, or hot tubs for 2 to 4 weeks after the operation to prevent infection.

LASIK Eye Surgery – Real Patient Experiences

The majority of people face issues of eye discomfort, which include:

• Slight pressure due to creation of the corneal flap
• Sensations of burning or stinging
• Issues of dry eyes

There are mainly two types of LASIK procedures. One is traditional LASIK, a procedure that uses a mechanical blade or microkeratome to cut the corneal flap for vision correction. FEMTO LASIK, on the other hand, is a procedure that uses a femtosecond laser to create a corneal flap to help in vision correction. It is also known as bladeless LASIK, as the laser used emits fast pulses of light at a microscopic level.

To compare them in terms of comfort, the following pointers will help understand the difference:

• FEMTO LASIK enables the use of a laser to create the corneal flap, making the procedure more comfortable than traditional LASIK.
• Usually, patients undergoing FEMTO LASIK report fewer issues of discomfort, inflammation, and dryness compared to people undergoing traditional LASIK.
• Apart from this, people undergoing traditional LASIK take longer to heal.
• It is often seen that emotional state can influence the physical sensations of pain in patients. It is advised to stay calm and trust the skilled surgeons to avoid any sensations of fear or anxiousness.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Does LASIK eye surgery feel painful during the procedure?

The majority of patients do not experience any pain during the LASIK procedure. The surgeon ensures numbing the eyes using anaesthetic eye drops for maximum patient comfort. One may feel slight pressure when the surgeon creates the corneal flap, which typically lasts for 30 seconds per eye.

How long does discomfort last after LASIK?

The discomfort after the completion of the LASIK procedure lasts between 24 to 48 hours, including symptoms such as sensations of burning or grittiness. Such uncomfortable sensations usually subside after a day or two.

Is it normal to feel pressure during LASIK eye surgery?

Yes, many people experience feelings of pressure during LASIK, especially when surgeons create the corneal flap during the procedure. It may cause the vision to go black momentarily, but the sensation subsides after a few minutes.

Can I take painkillers after LASIK?

Usually, doctors recommend over-the-counter painkillers to help manage symptoms of inflammation and prevent infections after LASIK surgery.

What are the worst side effects people feel after LASIK?

Persistent issues of dry eyes, sensitivity to light, disturbances in vision, and excessive pain are a few terrible side effects people face after the LASIK procedure. Such symptoms can be managed with various treatment plans.