Does LASIK Hurt? What to Actually Expect During the Procedure

This is the question I get asked more than any other. More than “how much does it cost?” More than “will I have 20/20?” The one that stops people from even picking up the phone is this:

“Is it going to hurt?”

I understand the fear. Someone is about to use a laser on your eyes. Your brain is screaming that this is a bad idea. Every survival instinct you have says protect your eyes at all costs. That instinct is not wrong. It is just working with outdated information.

What You Actually Feel

Before the procedure, we place numbing drops in your eyes. These are the same type of anesthetic drops used in routine eye exams, just a bit stronger. Within about 30 seconds, your corneal thickness loses sensation almost entirely.

During the procedure, you may feel light pressure when we position the laser. Some patients describe it as a gentle pushing sensation that lasts about 20 seconds per eye. It is not painful. It is just unfamiliar. And unfamiliar can feel scary when your eyes are involved.

The actual laser treatment takes roughly 30 to 60 seconds per eye. Most patients tell me afterward that they spent more time worrying about it than they spent in the procedure chair.

After the Procedure

The first four to six hours are the most uncomfortable part of the entire experience. Your eyes may water, feel gritty, or sting slightly. Think of the feeling you get when you chop onions, but milder and more constant. Most patients take a long nap after their procedure and wake up feeling significantly better.

By the next morning, when you come in for your one-day follow-up at our Plano office, the vast majority of patients are already seeing clearly and feeling comfortable.

Why I Tell You All of This Upfront

At Visionary Eye, I believe in telling you exactly what to expect. Not the marketing version. Not the version designed to minimize your concerns so you will book faster. The real version.

You deserve to walk into that procedure room knowing precisely what will happen, what you will feel, and what comes after. That is what I would want if I were the one in the chair.

If you are nervous, that is normal. Come talk to us. We will walk through every step before you commit to anything.

Visionary Eye Surgery | Plano, TX