What does Lasik surgery actually feel like during the procedure?
2 weeks ago
I’m scared of pain during eye procedures. Even though Lasik is said to be painless, I want to know realistically what sensations I will feel during the surgery, pressure, light, movement, or anything else and whether it might feel uncomfortable at any point.
Answers (1)
Most people are surprised by how little Lasik actually feels like once the numbing drops are in. You stay awake, but the eye is well anaesthetised, so there is no sharp pain; the main thing you notice is pressure for a few seconds when a suction ring is placed to keep the eye steady, and your vision may briefly dim or go dark during that step. After that, you usually see a blurry light, hear some clicking sounds from the laser, and might notice a faint smell while the laser works. This feels odd or weird rather than painful, and the whole treatment part only takes a few minutes per eye.
Once the drops wear off later the same day, it is normal to have a gritty, burning, or eyelash-in-the-eye feeling, along with watery, light‑sensitive, hazy vision for a few hours. Most people manage this with rest, lubricating drops, and sometimes a mild pain tablet if the doctor advises, and feel much more comfortable by the next morning. Sharing your fear with the surgeon in advance is important. They can talk you through each step, use extra numbing drops if needed, and in some cases give a small calming tablet so the experience stays reassuring and manageable.
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