Will LASIK Hurt?
October 15th, 2019
Did you know that you’re awake during LASIK? Many people share the misconception that it will be a painful experience. It’s actually quite the opposite! LASIK is a very short procedure that is painless thanks to a strong localized anesthetic.
This anesthetic, applied through an eye drop, blocks the pain receptors in your eyes. This does not mean that you will not feel any sensation at all.
During the flap creation, you will likely feel a slight tugging. Though this is not described as painful, you may find it to be uncomfortable.
This part of the surgery only lasts a few seconds and the rest of the operation should only take a few minutes. Keep reading to learn more about this life-changing procedure and how it could change you!
LASIK Recovery
While you shouldn’t worry about pain during LASIK, you can expect some slight pain after the eye drops wear off. This is normal to experience as your eyes heal, but it should not be intense.
Any severe pain should be reported immediately, as it is rare and could be indicative of a larger problem.
Most people experience achiness in their eyes, as well as increased light sensitivity. You may also experience degrees of irritation after the numbing drops have worn off.
This can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. You will have a follow-up appointment within 48 hours of surgery.
If the pain is still persisting, be sure to let your doctor know. This could be a sign of a complication or infection.
Full recovery from LASIK takes about 3 months to achieve. During this time you will need to be more careful with your eyes than normal. The recovery process is different for everyone, but here’s an idea of what to expect.
The First Few Days
During the first couple of days, you should make sure to get plenty of rest. Your body needs sleep to repair itself and start the healing process.
Be sure to wear the eye shields provided to you by your doctor, as even slight bumps to your eyes could cause damage.
You also need to avoid heavy lifting, contact sports, exercise, and even bending over at the waist for a while. All these activities can increase eye pressure, which can cause harm during recovery.
The key in the first days of recovery is to relax!
The First Few Weeks
As you continue recovering after LASIK, you’ll be able to get back to many of your everyday activities. One thing you should continue avoiding is getting any kind of water in your eye for at least a month.
Water is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria! As your eyes are more sensitive after LASIK, they are also more susceptible to infections.
This means no swimming, but you can still shower, just keep your eyes closed as best you can. Avoid all bodies of water, including lakes, hot tubs, the ocean, and pools with chlorine. Don’t go swimming until your doctor clears you.
Everyone has a different LASIK recovery rate. Wondering if you could be a good LASIK candidate? Schedule a LASIK consultation at the Laser Eye Center with Dr. Danny Lee in Huntsville, AL today!
