What to anticipate during surgery
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), laser eye surgery typically takes less than 30 minutes. Others predict that the process will take approximately 5 minutes per eye.
People who have laser eye surgery should be prepared for the following:
- They will recline in a chair, so they are flat on their back beneath a laser instrument and computer screen.
- The surgical team will clean the area around the eye and administer numbing drops.
- To keep the eyelids open, surgeons will use a lid speculum, a medical device.
- A laser will create a flap in the cornea, which the surgeon will lift open.
- People will need to stare at a light to keep their eyes motionless while the laser works.
- The laser will then restructure the cornea’s surface.
The surgeon will next reposition the flap and put a shield to protect the eye.
Rest period
According to the FDA, a person may experience burning, itching, or the presence of a foreign object in their eye after surgery. To alleviate these symptoms, the surgeon may prescribe a fair pain treatment, such as acetaminophen.
Because there will be no stitches holding the flap in place, surgeons will equip clients with an eye shield to safeguard their eyes. The guard prevents touching the eye or applying pressure accidentally, such as during sleeping.
Individuals will typically take a few days off work to recover. They should make an appointment with their eye doctor within 24-48 hours of surgery to examine their eyes. The doctor will ensure that the eyes heal properly. Following this, a person will require multiple additional appointments over the next six months.
