Does Eye Laser Surgery Hurt? The Answers May Surprise You

Does eye laser surgery hurt? Our eyes are very sensitive. In fact, the cornea of the eye is home to the highest density of sensory nerves in the human body. However, laser eye surgery for refractive correction is also entirely based on cutting this very tissue with a medical laser. So, does eye laser surgery hurt and is it something you need to factor in when considering whether laser eye surgery is for you? Keep reading to find out.  

 

Does Eye Laser Surgery Hurt During the Procedure Itself?

Laser eye surgery uses medical lasers, either a femtosecond laser or an excimer laser (or, for some techniques, both), to photoablate the cornea. Photoablation refers to vaporising precise areas of corneal tissue in order to modify its curvature.

By changing the shape of the cornea, your surgeon can change the way light bends through this structure in order to provide you with clear vision without glasses or contact lenses.  

Though vaporising your cornea sounds like a painful process, it’s made much more comfortable through the use of effective anaesthesia. During your pre-laser eye surgery preparation, in addition to sterilising the area, your surgeon will also instil topical anaesthetic eyedrops. With the use of this topical anaesthesia, you won’t be able to feel any pain in or around the eye during your laser eye surgery procedure. Some patients report feeling the sensation of pressure at various times of the operation, which can range from being viewed as slightly uncomfortable to being easily ignored. 

A general anaesthetic is not used during laser eye surgery procedures as it only serves to increase the risks. However, if you’re feeling very nervous or anxious, you can ask your surgeon for a sedative such as Valium. This won’t put you to sleep but will help you to relax and feel calm. 

Because of the effectiveness of the topical anaesthetic eyedrops used during the laser eye surgery operation, it’s exceedingly rare for patients to report pain. Usually, the procedure is over quickly enough for one lot of anaesthetic drops to be sufficient. However, if you feel that the numbing effects may be wearing off, you can ask your surgeon whether it’s appropriate to instil another drop of anaesthetic.  

 

 

Does Eye Laser Surgery Hurt Afterward?  

If you were to be in discomfort at any point during the process of getting laser eye surgery, it would most likely be during the recovery period. Different techniques of laser eye surgery are associated with different experiences during post-operative recovery. For example, compared to LASIK and SMILE, PRK surgery tends to have a longer recovery time with more eye discomfort. 

With any laser surgery technique, immediately after your operation, you can expect your eyes to feel:

• Gritty

• Dry

• Sore

• Sensitive to light

• Watery

Over time, these uncomfortable sensations should gradually improve. Depending on the type of surgery you had, it may take a few days or a couple of weeks. If you find the discomfort or pain to be distracting, most people will be advised to take an oral painkiller such as ibuprofen. However, it’s best to see what your surgeon recommends before taking any additional medications. Some may also find a cool compress helps to relieve some discomfort. 

 

If you encounter a complication during your post-op healing period, this may also come with some pain or discomfort. Though laser eye surgery is usually a safe and effective procedure, there is always a low risk of an adverse event during the recovery phase. Complications can include:

• Persistent or severe eye inflammation

• Infection of the eye

• A bump or knock to the eye while it’s still healing and feeling extra sensitive

To minimise your discomfort and reduce your risk of a complication after you’ve had laser eye surgery, it’s important to follow your surgeon’s post-op recovery guidelines. This includes using all your prescription eyedrops as you’ve been directed. Your surgeon will give you a steroid eyedrop to control inflammation and an antibiotic to protect your eyes from infection. Stopping these drops too soon or forgetting to use them as directed can result in pain and discomfort from excessive inflammation or an opportunistic bacterial eye infection. 

Take steps to protect your eye from physical injury as well as from any contaminants that can cause an infection. After your operation, you’ll be given a plastic shield to protect your eyes. You may be asked to wear the shield for the first 24 hours and then thereafter only at night to stop you from accidentally rubbing your eyes in your sleep. If your typical hobbies or work involve a risk of facial trauma, such as martial arts or dog grooming, it could be a good idea to take a break from these activities for at least a couple of weeks. Other sources of potential infection include the swimming pool, saunas, the beach, and cosmetics or products used around the eyes. 

It’s not normal for your condition to deteriorate further into the recovery period that you go. Your eyes may start off feeling sore and gritty, but from there, they should only improve, never going backwards. If you do at any point feel that something has gone awry with your operation during the healing period, don’t delay in contacting your surgeon for advice. 

Call us on (03) 9070 5788 for a consultation.

 

 

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. 

 

 

 

References

Does Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK) Hurt? 
https://www.healthline.com/health/does-laser-eye-surgery-hurt

LASIK Surgery Anaesthesia: What You Can Expect. 
https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/lasik/what-to-expect-from-lasik-surgery-and-anesthesia