If you’re considering correcting your vision with LASIK or another type of laser eye surgery, one of the most common concerns is: does laser eye surgery hurt? At Vision Care Clinic, we understand that any procedure involving your eyes can feel intimidating. The good news is laser eye surgery is performed, pain-free.

What Is Laser Eye Surgery?

Laser eye surgery, including LASIK and lenticular extraction (also known as SMILE), is used to correct common vision problems like short-sight, long-sight, and astigmatism. They work by reshaping the cornea, which is the clear dome at the front of the eye so that light entering the eye can be properly focused onto the retina, resulting in clearer vision – to eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses.

Does Laser Eye Surgery Hurt?

The short answer: No, laser eye surgery does not hurt. Here’s why:

1. Before the Procedure: Numbing Eye Drops

Prior to beginning treatment, your eye doctor will apply special anaesthetic eye drops. These drops completely numb the surface of your eye so that you won’t feel pain during the procedure. You may feel some slight pressure, but not pain.

Patients remain awake during the surgery, but thanks to the numbing drops and modern laser technology, the process is quick and comfortable. The entire procedure usually takes around 20 minutes for both eyes.

2. During the Procedure: Mild Sensations, No Pain

While you may experience some feelings of pressure, there should not pain or discomfort.  Your surgeon will advise on what to expect throughout; this includes bright lights, sounds and odours from the lasers, mild pressure, but no discomfort.

LASIK involves creating a thin flap on the front surface of the cornea, while a contact lens-shaped area of tissue is created during a lenticular extraction; this is then removed via a small opening, in a keyhole, type treatment. Regardless of the technique, both are designed to be pain-free and maximise precision.

3. After the Procedure: Mild Discomfort During Recovery

While the answer to “does laser eye surgery hurt”, is mostly “no,” you may experience some mild discomfort during the recovery period, depending on the type of laser treatment. It’s common to feel:

• Slight grittiness or stinging in the very short-term

• Sensitivity to light

• Watery or dry eyes

These symptoms usually last only a few hours so patients are advised to rest their eyes directly after treatment. Most patients return to normal activities within 24 to 48 hours after LASIK and lenticular extraction.

 If patients undertake surface laser treatment, they may experience discomfort for approximately 18 to 36 hours due to the disturbance of cells on the front of the eye.  This can include a foreign body sensation, grittiness and dryness. 

Your eye doctor will apply a bandaged contact lens to the eye, provide numbing and lubricating drops immediately post-treatment to help ease any discomfort.

Choosing the Right Clinic Makes All the Difference

At Vision Care Clinic, patient comfort and safety are our top priorities. Our experienced team uses the latest technology to ensure your procedure is smooth and virtually painless from start to finish.

If you’re still wondering, does laser eye surgery hurt, we invite you to schedule a consultation with our specialists. We’ll walk you through the process and answer any questions so you can move forward with confidence.