When considering laser eye surgery, a common question that arises is: “Are you awake for laser eye surgery?” This question reflects a natural concern about what to expect during this transformative procedure. This blog aims to provide a detailed overview of laser eye surgeries, including LASIK, their processes, and what patients can expect, particularly regarding consciousness during the operation.

Understanding Laser Eye Surgery

 

 

Laser eye surgery, also known as LASIK surgery or laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is a popular form of refractive surgery designed to correct vision conditions such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness, and astigmatism. This surgical procedure modifies the cornea to improve vision, reducing or eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses.

The LASIK Procedure: A Closer Look

Step-by-Step Process

1. Preparation: Initially, you are situated in a reclining chair in the laser room. The eye surgeon and the surgical team prepare the area, ensuring a sterile and safe environment. They will then place a series of numbing drops in your eyes to eliminate any sensation of pain.
2. Eyelid Holder: A device called a lid speculum is gently placed to keep your eyelids open during the procedure, ensuring that blinking does not interfere with the surgery.
3. Corneal Flap Creation: The first step in the actual LASIK procedure is the creation of a thin flap in the cornea. This can be done with a precise instrument known as a microkeratome or a special laser called a femtosecond laser.
4. Reshaping the Cornea: Once the flap is created and carefully lifted, the underlying corneal tissue is exposed. The surgeon then uses a computer-controlled excimer laser to reshape the cornea based on your specific vision needs. This part of the procedure is highly customised and based on detailed measurements taken during your pre-operative assessment.
5. Repositioning the Flap: After the cornea is reshaped, the surgeon delicately repositions the corneal flap back into place. This flap adheres naturally and heals over the following days.

During the Procedure

• Focus on a Light: You will be asked to focus on a target light. This helps in keeping your eye fixed while the laser reshapes the cornea.
• Laser Application: You may hear a clicking sound and notice a mild smell similar to burning hair, which is normal during the laser application.
• Time Duration: The laser application itself takes only 20 to 50 seconds per eye, depending on the degree of correction required.

Post-Procedure

• Immediate Aftercare: After the procedure, you will rest for a short period. Your eyes might feel itchy or burn slightly, but it’s crucial not to rub them.
• Follow-up Visits: These are necessary to monitor the healing process and ensure that your eyes are recovering correctly.
• Visual Recovery: While many people notice improved vision immediately or within a day, the full healing process might take several weeks.

Important Considerations for LASIK

1. Candidacy: Not everyone is a suitable candidate for LASIK. Your eye doctor will assess factors like corneal thickness, eye health, and vision stability to determine if LASIK is right for you.
2. Expectations: While LASIK can significantly improve vision, it’s important to have realistic expectations. Some patients may still need glasses for certain activities, like reading or driving at night.
3. Lifestyle Impact: Post-surgery, you’ll need to take a few days off from work and avoid certain activities, like swimming or contact sports, for a period.
4. Risks and Complications: As with any surgery, there are risks involved, such as dry eyes, glare, or under/over-correction. Discuss these thoroughly with your surgeon.
5. Long-Term Care: Regular eye exams post-LASIK are important to maintain eye health and vision quality.

The Big Question: Are You Awake for Laser Eye Surgery?

Short Answer: Yes

The vast majority of patients are awake during LASIK and other forms of laser eye surgeries. General anaesthesia, which induces sleep, is not used in these procedures. Instead, patients are typically given numbing eye drops and may be offered a mild sedative to help them remain calm.

Addressing Concerns About Being Awake

1. Anxiety Management:

It’s entirely normal to feel anxious about any surgical procedure, even one as minimally invasive as LASIK. To address this, your surgical team will take steps to ensure your comfort and peace of mind. If you’re particularly anxious, it’s essential to communicate this with your eye surgeon during your pre-operative consultation. They can provide strategies to help you stay calm, such as deep breathing exercises or guided relaxation.

2. Blinking and Eye Movements:

Our eyes naturally make minor involuntary movements, like blinking. During LASIK, special devices are used to keep your eyelids open and prevent blinking. Additionally, advanced laser tracking technology can track your eye’s movements in real time, adjusting the laser to account for these subtle shifts. This level of precision ensures that the laser reshapes the cornea exactly as planned, even if your eye moves slightly.

3. Pain and Discomfort:

The thought of discomfort during surgery can be intimidating. However, it’s important to understand that LASIK is designed to be a virtually minimally painful procedure. The numbing drops administered before the surgery ensure that you won’t feel major pain during the process. You may experience a slight sensation of pressure, but this is generally well-tolerated. If you ever feel any discomfort, you can communicate with your surgical team, and they can make adjustments as needed to ensure your comfort.

The Advantages of Staying Awake

While the idea of being awake during surgery might seem unsettling, there are several compelling reasons why LASIK is performed with the patient conscious:

1. Control and Precision:

Being awake allows the patient to focus on a specific point, helping the surgeon maintain the highest level of precision during the procedure. This level of control is crucial for achieving the desired correction.

2. Minimised Risks:

General anaesthesia, which would induce sleep, comes with its own set of risks. By avoiding general anaesthesia, LASIK minimises these risks, making the procedure safer overall.

3. Quick Recovery:

Since LASIK is a short procedure, the recovery time is also relatively quick. Most patients experience improved vision within hours to a few days, and they can usually resume normal activities shortly after the surgery.

4. Less Disruption:

Being awake means you can actively cooperate with the surgeon’s instructions, making the process smoother and more efficient. This results in less disruption during the surgery.

Exceptions: When General Anaesthesia Might Be Used

While the vast majority of LASIK patients are awake during the procedure, there are rare cases where general anaesthesia might be considered. These situations include:

1. Extreme Anxiety or Phobia: If a patient has an extreme fear of the procedure that cannot be managed with mild sedatives or other anxiety-reducing techniques, a surgeon might consider general anaesthesia as a last resort.
2. Medical Necessity: In cases where a patient cannot cooperate or follow instructions due to a medical condition, general anaesthesia might be the safest option.

It’s important to note that these situations are exceptions and that general anaesthesia is not the standard practice for LASIK.

Selecting the Right Surgical Procedure and Surgeon

Considering Your Suitability

1. Vision Conditions: Not everyone is a suitable candidate for LASIK. Other vision problems might necessitate different types of laser or non-laser treatments.
2. Medical History: Your eye doctor will evaluate your overall eye health, including any conditions like dry eyes or corneal thickness, to determine the best course of action.

Choosing Your Eye Surgeon

1. Experience and Credentials: Look for an eye surgeon with extensive experience in performing the specific procedure you need.
2. Consultation: A thorough pre-surgery consultation should involve a detailed discussion about your vision conditions and expectations.
3. Clinic Reputation: Research the clinic’s track record in performing successful laser eye surgeries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Laser Eye Surgery

As you prepare for laser eye surgery, it’s natural to have questions and concerns. To help you gain a deeper understanding of the procedure, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers:

1. Can I feel pain during the surgery?

No, you should not feel major pain during laser eye surgery. Before the procedure begins, numbing eye drops are administered to ensure that your eyes are completely numb. While you might experience slight pressure or discomfort, the use of numbing drops makes the surgery minimally painful.

2. How long does the surgery take?

The actual laser treatment portion of the surgery is remarkably quick, typically taking only 20 to 50 seconds per eye. However, you should expect to spend a few hours at the clinic for pre-operative preparations and post-operative observation.

3. What if I’m too nervous to stay awake during the procedure?

It’s entirely normal to feel nervous before surgery. To address anxiety, communicate your concerns with your surgeon during your pre-operative consultation. They can provide strategies to help you stay calm, including the possibility of a mild sedative if needed.

4. Can I drive home after the surgery?

No, it is not advisable to drive immediately after laser eye surgery. Your vision will likely be blurry, and you might experience sensitivity to light. Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure to ensure your safety.

5. Will I need glasses or contact lenses after LASIK?

While LASIK can significantly improve your vision, some patients may still need glasses for specific activities, such as reading or driving at night. Your surgeon will discuss your individual expectations and the potential need for corrective lenses post-surgery.

6. Is LASIK permanent?

LASIK is considered a permanent vision correction procedure, but it cannot prevent age-related vision changes, such as presbyopia (difficulty focusing on close objects as you get older). Over time, you may require reading glasses for close-up tasks as you naturally age.

Conclusion

Laser eye surgery, particularly LASIK, has revolutionised vision correction. Understanding that you are awake during the procedure and why it’s necessary can help alleviate some of the anxieties surrounding the surgery. With advancements in technology and surgical techniques, laser eye surgery remains a safe, effective, and predominantly less painful option for those looking to correct their vision.

Call us today at (03) 9070 5788 to schedule a consultation and see if laser eye surgery is the right option for you. Our team of experienced doctors and staff will guide you through the process and answer any questions or concerns you may have. Take control of your vision and experience the freedom that comes with clear, crisp eyesight.

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

References:

1. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/laser-eye-surgery
2. https://www.nvisioncenters.com/lasik/awake/