One of the most common questions about LASIK is whether you’ll be put to sleep during your procedure. The short answer is no—general anesthesia isn’t used for this procedure. Instead, you’ll be awake the entire time, but don’t worry! LASIK is a quick and painless procedure, with measures in place to ensure you stay relaxed and comfortable.
If you’re considering LASIK, it’s completely normal to feel nervous about being awake during the procedure. Many people share the same concern, often wondering how it works and what to expect when it comes to anesthesia. Rest assured, LASIK is designed to uphold the highest standards of safety and comfort, and the procedure is far less intimidating than it might initially seem.
To help ease anxiety, your LASIK surgeon will offer an oral sedative before the procedure begins. This mild sedative helps you stay calm without putting you to sleep. Additionally, numbing eye drops are applied to ensure you won’t feel any discomfort during the surgery. These drops not only prevent pain but also minimize the natural urge to blink, so you won’t have to worry about your eyes interfering during the procedure.
Rest assured that even if you do involuntarily blink, this is something LASIK technology is fully prepared for. In addition to the numbing drops, a specialized device is used to keep your eyes open, so blinking won’t be an issue. Advanced eye-tracking software is also in place to monitor your eye movements, ensuring the laser stays precisely on target throughout the procedure.
While you won’t feel pain, you might notice a bit of pressure during the creation of the corneal flap. This part of the process is very brief and completely normal. The sensation may feel strange, but the entire LASIK procedure takes just 10-15 minutes for both eyes, with the actual laser treatment lasting only a few seconds.
Though you’ll be awake during LASIK, you can prepare for your stress-free procedure with the confidence that you’ll be comfortable and in the experienced hands of our providers. With the most advanced LASIK technology ensuring precision and the expertise of the providers at Skyline LASIK, you can confidently approach your LASIK procedure, knowing clear vision is right around the corner.
