Is LASIK painful? Does Laser Eye Surgery Hurt?
Many of our patients come to us worried about how painful LASIK eye surgery will be for them. Here at LaserCare Eye Center, we want to assure all of our patients that they will not only receive first-class LASIK eye surgery in Dallas but also that our highly skilled and experienced surgeon and his team are on hand to talk our patients through every step of the procedure. We can talk to you about how your eyes will feel during and after the procedure, as well as offering advice on the limited side effects that could occur.
More than 650,000 patients undergo LASIK surgery throughout the US every year.
While the results are completely life-changing, it is not the kind of elective procedure that people would choose to undergo if it caused them severe pain or discomfort, either during the surgery or in the days, weeks and months afterward.
In an effort to reassure all our patients that LASIK eye surgery is a simple, effective and pain-free procedure, here is our myth-busting guide to some of the most common fears around LASIK eye surgery.
Does LASIK Eye Surgery Hurt?
This is a question that we are asked on a daily basis. To answer this effectively, it is important to distinguish the difference between discomfort and real pain.
With this in mind, we can tell you that neither the LASIK surgery or the post-surgery care hurts at all. Some patients do, however, experience some discomfort immediately after the procedure.
These symptoms could include:
- A temporary itching sensation several hours after the operation
- A general temporary discomfort several hours after the operation
- Some blurry vision immediately following the procedure
- Some haziness immediately following the procedure
Not everyone experiences these symptoms following the surgery and even those that do find that they pass very quickly.
Does The Blade Used In LASIK Surgery Hurt?
Being told that someone is about to take a blade to your eye would certainly cause any of us some anxiety. Many of us flinch at the thought of someone else touching our eyes, let alone sticking medical instruments in it!
It is important to remember that the LASIK Eye Surgery is undertaken using state of the art lasers and is minimally invasive. Therefore you will not be able to feel any pain, and the procedure is very quick. Our experienced surgeons will put your mind at ease before they begin, and you will have no qualms or worries about their proximity to your eyes during the procedure itself. In fact, it really is no more invasive than a regular eye test or contact lens appointment.
Before the procedure, patients receive numbing eye drops to eliminate the possibility of pain or feeling of any kind during the procedure. There will be no pain, but you may experience unusual sensations that could include:
- Your eyes adjusting to not be able to blink as eyes are held open, like putting contacts in
- An awkward pressure or suction feeling as the physician creates a corneal flap
What About Dry Eyes?
Another question we often get asked is “people with dry eyes can’t having LASIK surgery, right?” Actually, that’s not always true either.
In some cases, dry eyes can be incredibly painful as the cornea heels for patients with existing dry eye conditions or those who are unable to use lubricating eye drops as prescribed by the physician. If you are unsure as to whether you suffer from dry eyes, our surgeon will discuss this with during your initial consultation.
Symptoms of dry eyes can include:
- A sandy, gritty feeling in the eyes
- A burning sensation in the eyes
- The feeling that there is a foreign body in your eye
- Sensitivity to light
- Occasional, unexplained pain in the eyes
- Eyes that often feel heavy
An option for dry eye sufferers is SMILE Eye Surgery. LaserCare Eye Center is the only in Dallas to offer it.
What Are The Side Effects Following LASIK Eye Surgery?
Because the LASIK creates a corneal flap during the procedure, it is possible that the flap disrupts corneal nerves that work your tear glands. If those nerves are unable to communicate correctly while the cornea heals, the flow of tears begins to slow and the eye can become dry.
During the healing process, the nerve endings are able to regenerate, communication returns to normal between the nerves and tear glands, and the eyes become naturally lubricated once again.
LASIK Surgery From LaserCare Eye Center In Dallas
If you would like to find out more about LASIK surgery in Dallas, call our helpful team today at 214.328.0444 to book your consultation with our surgeon, who will be able to assess your needs and find the right LASIK surgery for you.
