What Happens During LASIK?

Before a LASIK procedure, most people are a little nervous. Complications, though possible, are rare during LASIK surgery, and the technology used is designed to minimize risks.

LASIK procedures can vary, and your surgery may be slightly different than the procedural steps discussed here.

Prior to the surgical procedure, you may or may not be provided with oral sedation to let you relax and ease any anxiety you are experiencing. In a traditional LASIK procedure, you can expect the following:

• Numbing eye drops are administered.
• An eyelid speculum holds your eyelids open.
• You lie under the laser device.
• A suction ring is placed on your eye to hold it in place and to increase ocular pressure.
• You are instructed to look at a tiny light to keep your eye focused on one point.
• A hinged flap is created in the cornea with a microkeratome blade or a laser.
• The corneal flap is gently bent back.
• Your cornea is reshaped with the laser.
• The flap is replaced.

You should not experience any pain during LASIK, although some mild discomfort is not unusual. The entire procedure takes only about 15 minutes for each eye. You do not have to worry about twitching or moving your head. The laser tracks subtle eye movements, and automatically turns off for bigger movements.

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