What Will I Feel During My LASIK Procedure?
- Posted on: Jun 20 2020
When ophthalmologists began offering LASIK vision correction to the public a few decades ago, the concept made some consumers apprehensive. A high-energy laser focused on delicate corneal tissue sounded possibly risky, and surely uncomfortable. But millions of surgeries later, LASIK is well-established as a safe, convenient and comfortable procedure that frees a patient from a lifetime of lenses.
Here, experienced New York City ophthalmologist Dr. Gregory Pamel explains in detail what you will feel during LASIK, and in the brief recovery period that follows.
Cool to the Touch
At Pamel Vision & Laser Group, LASIK is performed using an advanced VisuMax femtosecond laser that generates a precise pulse of cool, focused light energy to reshape the cornea. The amount of contact is brief — during a process that lasts approximately a half hour, the laser touches the eye for no more than 40 seconds.
As a first step in ensuring your comfort, Dr. Pamel will apply a local anesthetic that completely numbs the eyes. You may feel slight pressure on the eye for a very short period, as the laser separates the cornea from underlying tissue by creating tiny bubbles beneath the surface. This creates a flap that allows your surgeon access to the cornea, which will be reshaped by the laser to ensure that the images it focuses on the retina are razor-sharp. In all, you can be confident that your experience will be simple, satisfying and pain-free.
Fast Recovery
With the laser’s precise corneal incision, healing and recovery are quick. There’s no need for stitches or bandages, and your daily routine will be interrupted only briefly. Within a day you will be seeing clearly.
The greatest chance of mild discomfort occurs during the recovery process. You may feel there is something in your eye, and be tempted to rub the eyes, which could interfere with healing. You may also experience a slight itching or burning sensation for a short period of time. If you are prone to dry eyes, the post-operative period may bring additional dryness.
If you do feel pain as your eyes heal, this is actually an indicator that you need to return to the office so that Dr. Pamel can check for infection or other side effects that require prompt attention.
To learn more about the benefits of LASIK, schedule an appointment with Dr. Pamel at his Manhattan or Astoria office by contacting Pamel Vision & Laser Group today.
Posted in: LASIK
