In 2024, Does LASIK hurt? Pre and Post-surgery things to do.

LASIK Eye Surgery Overview:

We humans prioritize the health of our eyes and the rest of our bodies. For improved vision, we are conscious of the question, “Does LASIK hurt? Our eyes are a vital body organ and are also quite sensitive. If our eyes aren’t functioning properly, we won’t be able to appreciate the splendor of this planet, with all its verdant landscapes, towering peaks, winding rivers, and other wondrous features. Even with hazy or impaired eyesight, we can still not perceive this magnificent world fully.

If you wish to fix your nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, LASIK eye surgery is a cutting-edge advanced procedure that uses the newly introduced Teneo device. It has proven effective in treating these conditions. “Does LASIK hurt?” and “How long does LASIK take?” will be on everyone’s mind at some point. If a person is considering LASIK eye surgery, it is normal for them to have these sorts of questions, and they should be prepared to answer them. The success rate of LASIK therapy is far greater than any other type of eye surgery, typically about 90%.

Myth or True: Does LASIK Hurt?

Let’s talk about whether LASIK eye surgery hurts or not, we’ll talk first about how it will be performed and what products will be used to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, which are caused by an error in the shape of the cornea. Laser beams or versatile lasers that treat 1.3 diopters in 1 second will be used in LASIK eye surgery, as the procedure’s name suggests. Patients’ eyes are numbed using drops, and a cornea flap, the eye’s outer layer, is created with excimer cold rays. Computer-controlled beams then target the eyes to correct myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism. The entire process is far less painful than anticipated.

In the surgical procedure known as laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis,

• Analgesic drops or sedatives such as Lorazepam (Valium) may be used.
• Microkeratome or femtosecond laser radiation is utilized.
• Some other equipment is designed to shield the eyes.

When operations or surgeries are performed to treat the patient’s vision, the refractive index is typically the primary focus of the ophthalmologist. This way, the picture created on the retina will be in the appropriate location for a clear image. The surgeon will give the patient analgesic drops and some sedative drugs to ensure that the patient does not experience any discomfort during the operation.

To ensure that the LASIK eye surgery does not result in any pain for the patient, the ophthalmologist gives the patient a sedative such as Valium before beginning the procedure. Therefore, it is evident that LASIK eye surgery will not hurt you or any other patient if the appropriate sedative or anesthetic is administered. During the procedure, the surgeon creates a flap on the cornea using the laser; the patient will feel a tiny bit of pressure on the eye as the laser creates a flap.

Suppose you go to licensed medical specialists for your LASIK eye surgery. In that case, you will only feel a slight pressure as the eye surgeon creates a corneal flap, and the eye surgeon will keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.

What Makes Your LASIK Eye Surgery Hurt You More?

As we have discussed, LASIK eye surgery will not hurt you, but there are some conditions when you feel discomfort. In rare cases, the ophthalmologist gives the patient general anaesthesia before the surgery, but the American Society of Anesthesiologists does not recommend it for specific reasons such as:

• Conjunctiva inflammation
• Conjunctiva haemorrhage
• It will cost you expensive etc.

The conditions under which LASIK surgery will hurt you more are:

• Giving non-effective numbing drops
• Intake of local sedative drugs
• Not following FDA guidelines, etc.

LASIK eye surgery will hurt you more if you don’t consider the above conditions. You may experience severe complications, like infection, itching, corneal ectasia, and burning sensations, and become photosensitive when looking at a light source. This photorefractive eye surgery (LASIK) was approved at the end of the 19th century (1999).

The development of LASIK eye surgery has significantly contributed to the pain-free treatment of eye disorders. I hope you now get the answer to the above questions, like “Does LASIK hurt? And “What conditions would make your eye health worse?”.

How long does LASIK eye surgery take?

LASIK eye surgery is easy and only takes 20 to 30 minutes, unlike other surgical procedures, which can take several hours and be difficult to operate. If you think anything like, “How long does LASIK take?” You will be amazed to learn that the entire operation can be completed in only 20 minutes. In LASIK eye surgery, the cornea flap is created, and then computer-controlled excimer beams are steered to correct the refractive mistake causing your vision problems. This entire process takes around 20 minutes. If you’re having problems seeing your surroundings clearly, this procedure is more effective and beneficial than others and takes less time to recover.

A full recovery from LASIK eye surgery would take around two to three months to complete. The symptoms that a patient may sometimes encounter following LASIK eye surgery, such as seeing a halo or an array of photons coming from the sky, will be healed within 8–12 weeks (about 3 months), depending on the severity of the medical condition.

Multiple eye treatment options, such as Contoura LASIK, EVO ICL, SMILE, IOLs, LASEK, and Epi LASEK are available. During your LASIK consultation, your eye surgeon will recommend the best surgery for improving your vision.

The remarkable advancement made possible by refractive surgery would be the bonus of this enormous improvement in your eyesight that you would experience. With this LASIK treatment, the percentage of patients who recover within 2 to 3 months will be close to 60 per cent.

What is the average lifespan of LASIK-treated eyes?

There is a gradual weakening of our bones and other bodily components as we age. As a result, we cannot estimate how many days the LASIK eye surgery-treated eyes will last. The average lifespan of eyes that have had LASIK treatment is dependent on several factors, including the following:

• The chronological age of a person
• An individual’s past medical history.
• The severity of the issue with the eyes
• Corneal health and thickness of the tissue
• The routines and daily life of the patient

It may be necessary for certain people to undergo LASIK eye surgery more than once in their lifetime because the effects of the procedure wear off after a certain amount of time or because their immune systems weaken with age and require further treatment. There is no treated disease, the typical lifespan of which can be determined by looking at nature.

Therefore, the only effective method for maintaining your LASIK-treated eyes for a longer time is to lead a healthier lifestyle, take proper care of your eyes, and hold frequent consultations with your doctor.

Surprising facts about LASIK eye surgery

The fact that LASIK eye surgery does not require any stitching to be performed after the surgery is a really surprising aspect of the procedure. After correcting the refractive error, the flap must be returned to where it was before the correction. The cornea possesses the extraordinary ability to recover at a rate unmatched by any other body part. Maybe you will get the answer to the question, “Does LASIK eye surgery hurt?”

What is needed before going for LASIK eye surgery?

The patient interested in LASIK eye surgery must undergo a screening examination per the Food and Drugs Authority’s requirements and the NIH.

For LASIK surgery, the patient should stop wearing eyeglasses or lenses if they are wearing them. This is the case even if the patient already wears spectacles. Twelve to fourteen days before the surgery is the optimal period to stop using eyeglasses or contact lenses. Your corneal surface will be able to stabilize because of this.

A comprehensive report of the patient’s medical status should be required, and if any tests are missing, you should get those lab tests done as soon as possible. In addition to testing for visual acuity, these laboratory examinations involve a fundoscopic exam and a slit-lamp exam. Before undergoing LASIK eye surgery, the ophthalmologist should perform screening tests to examine your eyes’ health.

The following are additional requirements that the patient must fulfil:

• They would have reached the age of maturity.
• Not suffering from an autoimmune condition such as diabetes or arthritis. It could potentially lead to complications during the rehabilitation phase.
• At your age, you should not have any hormonal imbalances and be able to get LASIK eye surgery.
• He or she should have a consistent value for its refractive index.
• Should have a cornea in excellent condition.

Suppose a patient satisfies all the conditions described in the paragraphs before it. In that case, it is strongly recommended that the patient visit a professional certified in ophthalmology to prevent any significant problems.

What should be normal after LASIK eye surgery?

After surgery, a patient could experience some symptoms that are normal for the individual to have. Eye drops that numb the patient’s corneas before LASIK eye surgery keep the patient comfortable and pain-free throughout the procedure. After 4 to 5 hours, a patient undergoing LASIK eye surgery may experience discomfort, itchiness, or a burning feeling. This is because the effects of the numbing drops and other sedative medicines will have begun to wear off. If you have the criteria discussed earlier, it should be normal for you, and there is no reason to be concerned about it. You only need to take the recommended medications on time for a speedy recovery or to alleviate pain.

If you believe there are other problems, such as inflammation, infection, or dryness in your eyes, you should talk to an ophthalmologist about it because it is abnormal. Your eyes being dry is the cause of other significant, unnatural complications.

What to avoid after LASIK eye surgery?

1. Immediately following your eye surgery, you must not drive a vehicle that is unsafe for your eyes.
2. Eating nutrient-deficient foods and not getting plenty of rest are two of the most important things you can do to speed up your recovery after surgery.
3. Don’t get behind the wheel for at least one whole day, especially not at night, due to the halo of light and the fuzzy vision that lasts for a while.
4. According to the ophthalmologist’s recommendations, you should not miss your daily medicine doses.
5. Do not engage in exercises involving substantial weight, such as weightlifting, or work in an environment prone to dust.
6. If you’ve just had eye surgery, you should avoid swimming in pools and baths where water can get into your eyes. This is because it could induce infections or inflammations.
7. You miss your eye checkup on a prescribed date, especially if you experience unusual symptoms.

Discussion:

You will not experience discomfort during LASIK eye surgery other than a slight pressure while the flap is created. Using numbing drops and tranquillizers will ensure you feel no pain. To correct refractive errors, ophthalmologists employ excimer laser beams. In all honesty, LASIK eye surgery can’t hurt you. If you want to avoid significant complications from the surgery, you should follow your doctor’s orders before and after the procedure. Burning or itchy sensations are all that will be left after the medicine’s impact wears off. If your health problem is severe, you should immediately see a doctor. After LASIK, your cornea has the incredible ability to mend itself. You need to follow your doctor’s orders and make positive changes to your lifestyle if you want to recover quickly from your illness.

References:

• Yetman, D. (2021, February 4). Does laser eye surgery (LASIK) hurt? Healthline.
• Mayo Clinic (2023, August), LASIK eye surgery.
• Wikipedia contributors (2023): LASIK. Wikipedia
• Penn Medicine, March 4, 2019, 6 Common Questions About LASIK Eye Surgery.