Is LASIK Painful?

Many laser eye surgeons find that they are frequently asked the same question at an initial consultation with a patient: "Does LASIK surgery hurt?" Fortunately, the answer to this question is no.

Before surgery, LASIK patients are given topical anesthetic eye drops to numb the eye. This ensures that you will not feel any pain during your laser eye surgery. However, you may feel a brief sensation of pressure while your ophthalmologist applies the vacuum ring to stabilize your eye.

Many patients worry that the blade used to create the corneal flap before surgery will cause pain. However, this is not the case. Furthermore, advances in LASIK technology provide you with a bladeless option for your LASIK procedure. By opting for Intralase, your corneal flap will be created with a laser instead of a blade.

Some patients experience a mild burning sensation for a few hours following their surgery. However, this is very minor and resembles the sensation your eyes feel after swimming in a chlorinated pool.

You will generally feel fine within a few hours of your surgery, and by the following morning, you will be amazed at the improvement to your eyesight.

You can use the links at the bottom of the page to find a qualified LASIK surgeon in your area.