Do They Put You to Sleep During LASIK Eye Surgery?
Do They Put You to Sleep During LASIK Eye Surgery? LASIK, short for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, is a popular choice for vision correction. Painless and efficient, this operation reshapes the cornea in your eye using a specialized laser. The concept might trigger some anxiety – especially if you’re not fond of things coming near your eyes.
Anesthesia plays an integral role during LASIK and it’s primarily topical. Numbing drops are applied into the patient’s eyes before the surgery begins to ensure comfort throughout the procedure. Concerns about being put completely under with general anesthesia can be set aside as that is not standard practice for LASIK surgeries. Offering quick recovery times and immediate results, it’s no wonder this method has become such an appealing option for those seeking better sight without glasses or contacts.
Preparation for LASIK Eye Surgery
On the path to a successful LASIK eye surgery, preparation is key. It begins with an initial consultation where your appropriateness as a candidate for this procedure will be evaluated. This involves taking a complete medical history and undergoing thorough examinations of your eyes including corneal thickness measurement, pupil dilation, refraction and air pressure tests.
One aspect that often surprises potential patients is that contact lenses must be removed several weeks prior to the surgery – two weeks for soft lenses and up to four weeks for hard ones. The reason behind this lies in how contacts subtly reshape your corneas, which could potentially affect the surgical outcome if not allowed sufficient time to return back to their natural shape. Eyeglasses become the temporary substitute during this waiting period before undergoing LASIK eye surgery.
The night before the operation should involve restful sleep but don’t worry about any additional sedation required at this stage; it simply isn’t necessary. On the day itself, avoid applying makeup or using any hair products containing alcohol as these can interfere with laser treatment due its sensitivity against certain particles such substances might release into air around work area.
Before undergoing a LASIK procedure, it is recommended to eat a light meal to avoid discomfort or nausea, especially when local anesthesia is used. It’s essential to have someone accompany you to drive you home after the procedure since immediate restoration of visual acuity is not guaranteed, and individual experiences may vary. Recovery after LASIK is generally fast, but it can differ from the statistical averages based on past cases treated by experienced ophthalmologists.
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As the LASIK eye surgery begins, your eyes will be numbed with anesthetic drops to ensure a comfortable procedure. You’ll be awake throughout – there’s no need for general anesthesia or sedation that puts you fully to sleep. To keep your eyelids open without strain, a device called speculum is gently applied.
The surgeon then proceeds to carefully create a tiny flap in the cornea using either microkeratome blade or more often these days, another specialized laser known as femtosecond laser. The creation of this corneal flap sets the stage for reshaping process of your eye’s clear front surface (cornea) which directly handles light entering inside.
Once prepped and ready, it’s time for excimer laser to take center stage in operation theater; its cool ultraviolet beam removes microscopic amounts of tissue from cornea so as reshape it effectively improving way light rays are focused onto retina at back part leading better vision overall without dependency on corrective lenses any sort such glasses contacts etc.
After the surgical step involving lasers, the previously created hinged flap is repositioned back to its natural position. It adheres to the eye and begins healing over the next few hours. During this initial post-operative period, it’s crucial to place a protective shield to prevent accidental rubbing or contact while sleeping. This step is of utmost importance to ensure a successful outcome, desired by both the patient and the surgeon in LASIK eye surgery.
Recovery and Aftercare
After the completion of LASIK eye surgery, your eyes may feel dry despite producing normal tears; hence, lubricating eyedrops are recommended to alleviate such discomfort. But don’t be surprised if you notice an immediate improvement in vision! It’s not uncommon for many patients to already see a difference as soon as they get off from the operation table.
In the first few hours post-surgery, rest is advised while keeping your eyes closed as much as possible. You’ll find it beneficial for allowing healing process to initiate without interruption by external stimuli like bright lights or dust particles etc. However, avoid rubbing them during this sensitive time even when experiencing itchiness or slight burning sensation – both of which are normal transient side effects following LASIK procedure.
After LASIK eye surgery, patients have a follow-up appointment with the surgeon within 24-48 hours to assess recovery and adjust treatment plans if needed. Using prescribed medications, including antibiotics and steroids, along with lubricants to combat dryness, is crucial for a successful outcome. Strict adherence to aftercare instructions tailored to each patient’s needs is essential. Experienced ophthalmology professionals aim to deliver the best results and emphasize the importance of following these instructions for long-term vision improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the LASIK eye surgery procedure take?
Generally, the actual laser treatment portion of the LASIK surgery takes less than a minute per eye. However, you should expect to be in the surgical suite for about 15 minutes or so.
Will I feel pain during or after LASIK eye surgery?
During the operation, anesthetic drops are used to numb your eyes and a mild sedative may also be given to help you relax. Post-surgery discomfort can vary but most patients report feeling only slight irritability or dryness which is often alleviated with lubricating eye drops.
When will my vision stabilize after undergoing LASIK?
While some people see improvements as soon as they get off from the operating table, stabilization and peak improvement typically happen within several weeks following surgery. Regular follow-up appointments will monitor this progress closely.
Is there any chance that I might need glasses or contact lenses again post-LASIK?
Yes, it's possible especially as individuals age and presbyopia (difficulty reading small prints) sets in naturally due factors beyond control of even highly skilled surgeons performing such procedures thus necessitating use reading glasses particular scenarios despite having undergone successful LASIK earlier life stages.
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