Can you be asleep during LASIK? (2023)

Can you be put to sleep during LASIK?

Yes, you will be awake for your entire LASIK corrective eye surgery procedure. Some people assume because they are undergoing a surgical procedure that they will be given anesthesia and be put to sleep. Yet, unlike other types of surgeries, laser surgery only takes a few minutes to complete.

Among the most frequently asked questions: What happens if I sneeze or blink during my LASIK surgery? The short answer: Blinking or sneezing will not affect the outcome of your surgery.

If you're still really nervous at the thought of laser eye surgery, a sedative in the form of a tablet can be given to help you stay relaxed. This takes about 20 minutes to take effect and you can decide on the day if you wish to have this.

Being put under anesthesia can be a lengthy and expensive process that may also introduce various unwanted complications. Due to LASIK's short duration and relative safety, general anesthesia isn't required, as it will only increase the cost and require more recovery time.

During this part of the surgery, which only takes about 30 seconds, a suction ring is placed on the eye prior to flap creation. This ring holds the eye in place so that movement of the eye is not possible.

The Day of Your LASIK Procedure

You'll be placed on a cushioned platform and positioned directly below the laser. To keep your eye open during the entire procedure, Dr. Davis and our LASIK technician will apply special tape that keeps your eyelids out of the way and an eyelid holder.

It's okay to cry after LASIK. Whether your eyes are watery or you happen to cry for an emotional reason, natural tears won't harm the corneal flaps or hinder the healing process. Crying can actually help keep your eyes lubricated.

Blinking and moving during LASIK is nothing to be worried or concerned about. During vision correction procedures we use a device that gently holds your eye open so that you do not have to think about it. It is therefore impossible for you to close your eye or blink during the procedure.

Fortunately, LASIK eye surgery is not painful. Right before your procedure, your surgeon will place numbing eye drops into both of your eyes. While you may still feel a little bit of pressure during the procedure, you should not feel any pain.

How do they keep your eyes open during LASIK?

A small instrument is placed over your eye that gently works to help keep your eye open, still and steady during the procedure.

Does LASIK Affect Night Vision? Vision disturbances including decreased night vision can occur immediately after a LASIK procedure, according to Mayo Clinic. However, while you may experience difficulty with night vision right after your procedure, it typically will not last beyond a few weeks.

Protect Your Eyes

Continue to wear the shields any time you are napping or sleeping at night for 5 days. If pets or children share your bed, you should wear shields for 10 nights after your LASIK procedure.

You are advised to wear the goggles while you sleep for a week to two weeks after surgery, when your eyes will be at their most vulnerable to damage if you scratch or otherwise disturb them.

Despite LASIK being an incredibly safe and effective procedure, some patients report feeling anxious or nervous ahead of their surgery – this is completely normal!

In fact, the risk of serious complications after Lasik is only 1 percent. With qualified and experienced surgeons, this 1 percent will not even exist. It's also rare for your vision to worsen after the procedure, and any slight vision disturbances can always be corrected with post-surgery retreatment.

On the day of LASIK, don't wear makeup, perfumes, or lotions. On the day of your procedure, don't load up on heavy makeup, perfumes, or lotions. You should take a shower and make sure your face is clean of any contaminants the morning of LASIK. Make sure to skip any perfumes as well.

Since your eyes are still healing, they will be especially sensitive in the first 24 hours after the LASIK procedure. Because of this, it's recommended to wait at least 24 hours before watching TV.

The majority of LASIK patients are back to their normal routine within a day or two. In fact, if you're a LASIK patient, you'll most likely be able to return to work the next morning after surgery!

Each patient's recovery from LASIK surgery is unique and the actual length of time required to wait before driving can be resumed will vary. With that said, many people are ready to drive as early as the day after surgery. Before patients are allowed to drive, they will need to get approval from their doctor.

How long does it take to see 20 20 after LASIK?

LASIK Eye Surgery Results: What You Can Expect

According to the American Refractive Surgery Council, more than 90% of LASIK patients achieve 20/20 vision or better after 2 to 3 months of post-surgery recovery.

Nunnery advise patients that it is okay to bathe or shower normally the day after your LASIK eye surgery. For the first week after your LASIK surgery, it's important to keep water, soap, hair care products and/or washing liquids away from the eye. Do not rub your eyes while bathing.

During the procedure, the eyelids are held open with a small medical device to prevent blinking. It is therefore impossible for you to close your eye or blink during the procedure. We keep the surface of your eye lubricated with drops, so your eye does not get dry, and you will not feel the need to blink.

There is still an incredibly minor lag between the laser noticing your eye has moved and compensating for that movement. However, it is not enough to impact the treatment. All this goes to say that if you move, look the other way, or suddenly blink during Laser Eye Surgery, the procedure will not be affected.

If you sneeze, move or blink during the treatment, the laser tracks your eye over one thousand times per second and adjusts the laser to make certain the laser is applied to exactly the right place. So, there is no reason to worry if you sneeze during LASIK.

This advanced laser technology is in place to protect the patient from harm and ensure the procedure goes according to plan. So, bottom line, patients do not have to worry if they move during their LASIK procedure.

What happens if I blink during the surgery? This can't happen. Your surgeon will place a simple eye lid holder so that you cannot blink.

Special instructions:

Wear the plastic shield(s) or goggles every night for the next 5 nights. This prevents you from rubbing your eye(s) while sleeping. For the first two weeks following surgery, wear sunglasses when you are outdoors, even when it is cloudy.

You will be able to see, but you will experience fluctuating degrees of blurred vision during the rest of the procedure. The doctor will then lift the flap and fold it back on its hinge, and dry the exposed tissue. The laser will be positioned over your eye and you will be asked to stare at a light.

Since your eyes are still healing, they will be especially sensitive in the first 24 hours after the LASIK procedure. Because of this, it's recommended to wait at least 24 hours before using your phone, computer, tablet or watching TV.

Can you feel sick after LASIK?

Sometimes, the vision correction after Lasik is not perfect, and if you are experience blurry vision or another visual disturbance this may provoke a sensation of nausea or a lack of depth perception and should be checked out by your eye doctor.

Avoid smoky or dusty environments

S/he should refrain from doing so for at least six weeks after your surgery to prevent infection and eye irritation. Similarly, dusty environments also elevate your risk of eye irritation or infection after LASIK. If possible, avoid gardening during the post-surgical recovery period.

During general anesthesia, eyes need protection either by tape or ointment to avoid corneal injuries. [4] Several approaches have been used to ensure that the eyelids remain closed, such as passive closure, hypoallergenic tape, eye patches, saline-soaked pads, and suturing.