How Long Does LASIK Eye Surgery Procedure Take? A Complete Breakdown

LASIK Eye Surgery: A Brief Overview of Why It’s Done

LASIK, the short form of Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis, is the most common type of refractive eye surgery. Refractive eye surgeries primarily aim to correct errors by mending the way how light enters the eye. They allow the candidate's eye to focus the light properly onto the retina to produce a clear image, offering clearer eyesight. 

LASIK provides a corrective vision for near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism. In these conditions, candidates see blurry images of distant objects, nearby objects, and distorted vision, respectively. The light entering the eye doesn't focus well on the retina either due to the faulty eyeball size, shape, or cornea curvature. This can significantly impact your quality of life.

Who Performs LASIK Eye Surgery?

A qualified ophthalmologist will perform your LASIK eye surgery. Certified ophthalmologists have in-depth knowledge of the eye anatomy. With extensive surgical training in dealing with complex issues, ophthalmologists utilize cutting-edge lasers to perform LASIK. Further, you need the expertise of optometrists to conduct thorough eye examination tests for effective diagnosis and precise results.

LASIK Eye Surgery How Does It Work?

Ophthalmologists will first identify the underlying cornea problems causing blurred vision. Knowing whether the cornea is too flat, too curved, or improperly shaped is crucial. They create small flaps on the cornea's outer layers so that the lasers can gain access. Further, they remove unwanted tissues from the cornea using pre-set lasers. Ophthalmologists will allow the flap to fall back and heal, and you will see clearer eyesight as you recover. 

In order to understand the worth of getting LASIK eye surgery, it's crucial to weigh the long-term benefits. While LASIK’s worth is case-dependent, you need to understand the risks and side effects as well. This will help you make an informed decision.

Benefits of LASIK Eye Surgery

LASIK eye surgery is reported to be the most chosen elective procedure. Around 95.4% of candidates who underwent LASIK have reported satisfaction with the surgical outcomes.^[1]  Below are the advantages of getting LASIK eye surgery.

• Improves vision in near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism.
• Can offer 20/20 vision with a good success rate.
• Improves quality of life by reducing dependency on glasses or contact lenses.
• Cuts down the need for frequent power adjustments of refitting the glasses. 
• Eliminates the hassles of contact lenses. 
• Offers a worry-free experience of contact sports and swimming, which isn’t possible with glasses. 
• Boosts confidence by making you more comfortable at social gatherings and professional settings.

LASIK Eye Surgery Side Effects

LASIK eye surgery side effects are temporary and include the following:^[2] 

• Dryness of the eye due to decreased tear production.
• Difficulty seeing during the night or in dim light. 
• Moderate light sensitivity, with glare, double vision, or seeing halos around street lights.
• Reddish-bloodshot eyes that get normal within a few days.

These side effects are temporary and get better within a few days after surgery. However, certain risk factors can worsen the eye condition. Getting a perfect candidacy evaluation will prevent this. In very rare cases, LASIK eye surgery causes corneal issues like inflammation and infection. Improper results appear when too little corneal tissue is adjusted or candidacy is not evaluated correctly. Candidates with dry eyes and thin cornea are at an increased risk of developing post-surgery complications. 

Who Is LASIK Eye Surgery For?

Candidates with difficulty seeing near or far objects or those seeing a hazy or wavy appearance with eye strain will benefit from LASIK eye surgery. Ideally, healthy persons aged above 18 years, with good eye health and stable eye prescription, are good candidates. 

Persons aged below 18 years or those with dry eyes, corneal ulcers, and thin or weakened cornea aren’t good candidates. Vision tends to change in people below 18 years, and getting LASIK cannot guarantee the results. Further, the lasers used in LASIK cut the corneal nerves, causing some amount of dryness. Getting LASIK can worsen the condition for candidates with an existing dry eye condition. Further, removing tissue weakens the cornea and can worsen the situation in candidates with weak or thin cornea. Your ophthalmologist will first check your eligibility before planning for the surgery. They conduct a series of eye examination tests to evaluate eye and medical health.

LASIK Eye Surgery Types

LASIK basically involves lasers to reshape the cornea. While the standard principle remains unchanged, a few variants arise due to slight modifications. Here are the most commonly adopted LASIK procedures. 

• Standard LASIK: This traditional method uses a microkeratome blade to cut a flap and a basic unguided laser for corneal reshaping. It is also called the first-generation LASIK.
• Bladeless LASIK: This second-generation LASIK does not use mechanical blades to create the flap. Instead, it uses a femtosecond laser to create a microscopically thin flap and an excimer laser to reshape the cornea. 
• Wave-front LASIK: The eye surgeons obtain a 3-D or wave-front map of the cornea and transmit this information to advanced lasers for customized corneal reshaping.
• Topography-guided LASIK: This bladeless method uses computer-guided lasers to reshape the cornea. Corneal topographers can digitally map the cornea. They obtain the actual picture of the abnormal cornea by collecting information on the position of the bumps and lumps on the corneal surface. The computer-guided lasers then remove and reshape the extra tissue of the cornea for a smoother, curved cornea. It is indeed a customized approach to dealing with abnormal cornea. 

Note that the basic LASIK methods are cost-effective and have negotiable prices. On the other hand, the tailored methods are advanced and produce precise and accurate results. The right choice depends on individual factors, such as eye health, corneal thickness, and vision goals.

If you're unsure which LASIK method suits your needs, consulting a qualified ophthalmologist is the best way forward. They will conduct optical examinations, including corneal thickness measurements, to determine the most suitable approach. This detailed assessment allows for precise laser programming, ensuring the safest and most effective treatment.

Don't leave your vision to chance. Let an expert guide you! Consult a trusted ophthalmologist to determine the best LASIK method for your eyes. Take the first step toward a clearer vision. Sign up with Envoy Health to book your consultation today!

How Do You Prepare for LASIK Eye Surgery?

Your ophthalmologist will first conduct a thorough evaluation to check your eye condition. It will help them identify the potential risk factors. This not only avoids the chances of LASIK failure but can enhance the treatment success rate. You will undergo a series of eye examination tests to assess the corneal thickness, shape, and curvature. Further, they evaluate the type of refractive error along with its intensity. It means they will understand the eye problem to be near-sightedness, far-sightedness, or astigmatism. Your ophthalmologist will also rule out other problematic eye conditions like cataracts or corneal ulcers. They check the ocular pressure inside the eye, moistness, retina condition, presence of infections, or inflammation. Beyond eye examination, your opthalmologist will also:

• Check if your overall health condition would not contraindicate LASIK.
• Verify any current medication or previous health ailment would interfere with surgical procedure or recovery.
• Confirm you are not a pregnant or a lactating mother.
• Check if you are not suffering from severe health issues like diabetes, autoimmune diseases, or severe heart problems that require a pacemaker.

Know About the LASIK Eye Surgery Procedure

While LASIK relies on lasers to reshape the cornea, it's natural for patients to feel apprehensive—just as with any surgical procedure. Below, we've compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

Does LASIK Hurt?

LASIK is a painless procedure as the eye surgeon numbs the area around the eyes using eye drops. However, some complain of experiencing mild discomfort caused by the use of an eye speculum and suction ring during the procedure. Don’t worry if you’re anxious about the procedure. Ophthalmologists administer local anesthetics and mild sedatives to offer a feeling of relaxation. 

Do They Cut Your Eye During LASIK?

LASIK does not require cutting open the entire eye or leaving a large scar. Ophthalmologists create a tiny incision in the cornea to access the underlying tissue. The idea of surgery on such a sensitive area can be intimidating. However, the truth is that LASIK only involves creating a microscopic flap in the cornea that can heal on its own without requiring sutures.

How Long Does LASIK Eye Surgery Procedure Take?

LASIK eye surgery is simple, with the exact period depending on the eye prescription strength, corneal thickness, and type of technique (whether mechanical or advanced lasers). It typically takes less than 30 minutes from the beginning to finish.^[3] The actual laser time for each eye is just a few seconds. However, the preparation and post-procedure monitoring stages occupy the rest.  

LASIK Eye Surgery: How Does It Go?

LASIK is an outpatient eye procedure, and you will leave the ophthalmologist's office the same day after the procedure. Your eyes are numbed using eye drops. However, you are awake during the procedure and aware of what's going on. Next, they will clean and sanitize the area around your eyes. 

Your eye surgeon will place an eye speculum to keep it open and prevent blinking. Next, they make a paper-thin flap on the cornea to lift and fold it back to access the underlying tissues. They use special devices called microkeratomes or femtosecond lasers to do this. Microkeratome blades are meant for single use and should be thrown away after use.  

Further, they use excimer lasers to reshape the cornea. These lasers are pre-programmed according to the candidate's eye condition. Eye movement at this stage can affect the flap quality. So, ophthalmologists use a suction ring to ensure accurate positioning. While the eyes are kept open, you’ll have to stare at the target light without blinking or moving the eyeballs. Lastly, the eye surgeon will fold back the flap into its position so that it attaches on its own and heals actively. You will recover at home, but make sure that you have a friend or family member to drive you home after surgery. 

What Happens Right After LASIK Eye Surgery?

After LASIK eye surgery, your eyes may feel teary and pressured, with a burning or itching sensation. Many patients complain of temporary dryness with mild to moderate discomfort due to a feeling of something within the eye. Further, your vision may be blurred slightly, which improves with time. Your ophthalmologists will prescribe eye drops to prevent infection or inflammation, which is common following any medical procedure.  

How Long After LASIK Can You Open Your Eyes?

After the LASIK eye surgery, you can open your eyes between 24-48 hours. This will be during your first follow-up check-up, where the doctor will remove the protective shield, examine your eyes, and test your vision. Eye surgeons cover the treated eyes with a protective shield immediately after LASIK. This refrains you from rubbing caused by irritation while also protecting the eyes from air-borne dust as you heal. While a few candidates see clearly the day after surgery, some see hazy vision, which is completely normal. You will need someone to drive home and may return to normal activities within a couple of days. 

Ophthalmologists suggest allowing your eyes to heal well before resuming work. They will prescribe eye drops to deal with temporary dryness and prevent infections and inflammation. Do not confuse between healing and recovery after LASIK. Healing refers to tissue repair, while recovery relates to resuming normal activities. Here are a couple of questions that patients ask us.

LASIK Eye Surgery How Long Does It Take To Recover?

Recovery after LASIK eye surgery is short and can typically range between a few days to a few weeks. You will see hazy to normal vision for the first few days. However, refrain from screen-related activities during this period. Ophthalmologists recommend taking off from work and resting your eyes as you recover. Do not wear contact lenses even if you see blurry vision. It can cause infections or inflammation. Further, avoid contact sports or strenuous activities for at least four weeks and hot tubs or swimming for 1-2 months. You need to recover completely before returning to daily activities.^[4] 

How Long Does LASIK Eye Surgery Take To Heal?

The initial healing of a LASIK surgical wound is typically short and is within a week. However, the complete healing will take 3-6 months or may extend slightly, depending on the case. Factors like age, overall health, eye conditions, and post-surgical care influence healing after LASIK eye surgery. The corneal flap, which is repositioned during surgery, begins reattaching immediately and stays in place without stitches. While you’ll be able to open your eyes and see improvements in vision almost immediately, however, complete healing takes several months. During this period, dry eye symptoms are common due to temporary nerve disruption in the cornea, which affects tear production. It may take six months to a year for these symptoms to fully subside and for corneal sensation to return to normal.^[5]  

Do’s and Don’ts After LASIK Eye Surgery

Healing after LASIK eye surgery depends on how well you adhere to aftercare measures. Here are a few must-dos and don’ts you require for a smoother recovery following LASIK eye surgery.

Must Do’s After LASIK Eye Surgery

Ophthalmologists recommend to protect your eyes while you offer them adequate rest. For this, you will have to:

• Use prescribed eye drops to avoid infections, swelling, and inflammation. The artificial tear drops lubricate the eyes and help with dry eye symptoms. 
• Wear a protective shield or glasses for a week to protect your eyes from air-borne dust. It will also prevent you from rubbing your eyes, which can cause corneal flap displacement.
• Maintain hygiene by washing your hands before touching the areas around your eyes. 
• Rest your eyes by sleeping adequately and avoiding eye-straining activities like watching screens or reading. 
• Close your eyes during the shower and avoid swimming, as the chlorine in pools or tap water can irritate the delicate corneal flap and cause discomfort.
• Wear sun-protective UV glasses to prevent the exposure of harmful ultraviolet rays to damage the healing eye tissues.

Must Don’ts After LASIK Eye Surgery

The corneal flap repositions and heals naturally. Avoiding certain activities helps create an optimal healing environment and prevents discomfort. Here are the key activities to avoid after LASIK.

• Avoid rubbing your eyes to prevent serious complications like corneal flap dislodgment. 
• Do not consume alcohol for a couple of days. While alcohol potentially interferes with the effectiveness of certain medications, it can also cause dehydration, adding to the discomfort caused by postoperative eye dryness. 
• Avoid makeup and cosmetics or perfumes containing sulfates and parabens. They may irritate your eyes and also cause infection. 
• Refrain from strenuous activities and sports as they can fuel complications. Playing sports increases blood pressure, which can increase intraocular pressure and cause swelling or inflammation. Further, sweat carries bacteria and irritants, increasing the risk of infection. 
• Avoid hot tubs and water saunas for a few weeks. The chlorinated water may irritate the eyes as they heal. 
• Avoid dusty environments and smoky rooms to prevent the exposure of particle irritants. Wear protective glasses instead.  

In addition to following these do’s and don’ts, you MUST attend the follow-up visits. Your ophthalmologist will examine your eyes and conduct a few routine vision tests. This is to access healing and check for the signs of infection. Convey your concerns and obtain effective measures to deal with the discomfort you see during recovery. More importantly, this will help in the early identification of the complications (if any) and improve the surgical outcomes. 

What Is Normal After LASIK Eye Surgery?

It's normal to see hazy, blurry vision, with teary, itchy, light-sensitive, and red eyes after LASIK eye surgery. However, severe pain with persistent redness, swelling, and pus-like discharge can be a sign of infection. Further, sudden vision loss or changes (intense blur, double vision) indicate severe complications. Don’t hesitate to see your doctor immediately when you notice any of these symptoms. Remember that an early intervention can reduce the intensity of damage.

LASIK Eye Surgery: Knowing the Outcomes

LASIK eye surgery is one of the most opted surgical eye treatments. The procedure offers successful outcomes with 

• Clear vision of 20/20 or better (in some cases).
• Long-term cost benefits by reducing dependency on glasses or contact lenses.
• Improved quality of life with boosted confidence and enhanced social relationships.

Below, we answered the two commonly asked questions that most patients ask us.

How Long Does LASIK Eye Surgery Results Last?

LASIK eye surgery makes permanent changes in cornea shape, which last for a lifetime. However, there can be slight changes in vision with the candidate’s natural aging, requiring additional procedures. Typically, most candidates start seeing clearly the day after surgery, while attaining stable outcomes takes at least six months. 

Can I Get LASIK Eye Surgery Twice?

The patient satisfaction rate of LASIK eye surgery is high, ^[6] and most candidates do not require it for the second time. However, a few candidates require repeated surgery due to aging or dissatisfactory surgical outcomes of the first procedure. Eyesight issues due to refractive errors progress with age, and candidates start seeing blurry images. Contact your ophthalmologist immediately. They will typically perform a second LASIK 5-10 years after the first one.

Can I Get LASIK for Both Eyes at the Same Time?

Yes, you can undergo LASIK surgery for both eyes at the same time. However, this may be inconvenient, as having both eyes blurry during recovery can make daily activities more challenging. Opting for one eye at a time allows you to rely on the other for vision during healing. Additionally, waiting between procedures lets you assess how the first eye responds to surgery before proceeding with the second, ensuring a more informed decision.

Finding the Right Eye Surgeon for LASIK Eye Surgery

The decision you make for the choice of the eye surgeon or the LASIK eye clinic impacts your vision for the rest of your life. Don’t fall for surgery centers guaranteeing 20/20 vision at cheaper prices or package deals. Remember that medical health doesn’t just come with cheaper prices. This highlights the significance of making an informed decision. Here are a few pointers you should keep in mind for a smoother journey toward a clear vision.

• Don't settle for the first clinic or surgeon you encounter. Compare the costs, technology, and devices used to check out a few providers.
• Keep an eye on the surgical success rate of the specific surgeon you opt for. You may check the patient's reviews on the clinic website or social media pages.
• Verify the clinic credentials and surgeon qualifications before scheduling your initial consultation. 
• Talk to the opthalmologist before surgery and ask your queries. Remember that the right ophthalmologist will address your doubts and explain the pros and cons specific to your case transparently.  

We understand that choosing an ophthalmologist can feel overwhelming, especially for delicate procedures like LASIK. With so many options available, it's natural to worry about qualifications, safety, and the success of your surgery.

At Envoy Health, we carefully vet top eye surgeons, ensuring they meet the highest standards of expertise and patient care. With our thorough background checks, you can feel confident in your choice and focus on what matters most—your vision. Get in touch with us today and take the first step toward clearer eyesight! 

References 

1. Functional Outcome and Patient Satisfaction after Laser In Situ Keratomileusis for Correction of Myopia and Myopic Astigmatism
2. Facts About LASIK Complications
3. What Should I Expect Before, During, And After Surgery?
4. What Should I Expect Before, During, And After Surgery?
5. Post-Lasik Dry Eye
6. Functional Outcome and Patient Satisfaction after Laser In Situ Keratomileusis for Correction of Myopia and Myopic Astigmatism