Supplemental Lidocaine Gel may Lessen Pain related to LASIK Surgery

Supplementing topical anesthetic with lidocaine gel during LASIK surgery may reduce pain, according to a recent study.

The study measured the pain scores of 51 LASIK patients during the surgery and in the 45 minutes following surgery. Significantly lower pain scores were reported in the group who received lidocaine gel in addition to topical anesthetic, compared to the pain scores reported by the group treated with topical anesthetic only.

Lower pain for the lidocaine-treated group was reported during:

• Corneal flap creation with a microkeratome blade.
• Ablation of the cornea with the laser.
• 30 minutes, and again at 45 minutes after the LASIK surgery.

The lidocaine-treated group did not require as much additional topical anesthesia as the other group.

In general, pain and discomfort associated with LASIK surgery varies by patient. Some people experience no pain, only mild discomfort. Other people are more sensitive to the pressure of the microkeratome blade or the laser pulses and report this pressure as being painful.

Pain and discomfort experienced during the procedure may also depend on the LASIK technology used. You may want to consider choosing a LASIK surgeon who uses state-of-the-art lasers and up-to-date equipment.

If you are concerned about pain during LASIK, you should discuss this concern with an experienced LASIK surgeon. Your surgeon can inform you of what you can expect during the surgery and the healing period.

To learn more about LASIK, please contact an experienced LASIK surgeon in your area.