The LASIK Surgery Procedure
When I decided to have laser eye surgery I couldn’t figure out how to do my own LASIK, so I chose someone else I really trusted, my partner, Matthew Robinson, M.D. He agreed to do my LASIK and then later I had the honor of returning the favor when he asked me to perform his LASIK to correct his eyes.
Was I worried about the Risks of LASIK?
I have performed LASIK for 16 years and have been a serious student of refractive surgery for all of those years.
When it was time for my LASIK, you could say I had a clear understanding of the risks of the laser surgery. On the day of my surgery, I was extra alert, but more excited than worried. The Xanax relaxing pill they had provided probably helped with that.
“Since having my own LASIK surgery, I have been able to better prepare patients. That will help you be more relaxed.”
What is the Procedure of LASIK Eye Surgery?
I have helped thousands through the procedure of LASIK eye surgery, but I completely changed what I told them to expect after I actually went through the LASIK procedure.
I arrived at the laser center and they had me sit in a comfortable chair.
Numbing eye drops were instilled followed by a disinfectant drop to clean around my eye. Minutes later, I entered the laser room and sat down in an eye exam chair.
A second set of eye numbing drops were placed, then Matthew made a couple marks with a surgical marker.
It was comforting that I didn’t feel the marker touch.
What Does LASIK Eye Surgery Feel Like?
I will outline exactly what my LASIK eye surgery felt like. My LASIK procedure experience is pretty typical. There are some that feel parts more than I did while others notice even less. I will break the procedure into three parts: The Flap creation and the eye laser procedure.
Creating my LASIK Flap
I was then moved underneath the laser. One last set of numbing drops were given and then a small eyelid holder was placed on my right eye so I wouldn’t blink during the procedure. A small suction device was touched to the white part of my eye. Again, it was painless.
They told me they were going to turn on the suction and my vision was going to go grey or dark. I heard the vacuum pump whirl and my vision went dark in that eye. 10% of patients feel a deep pressure while the suction is on while 90% don’t feel it at all. I didn’t feel anything. Thirty seconds later they turned the suction off and my vision instantly returned in the eye. They told me the flap look beautiful!
What are the LASIK Details
Now for the actual LASIK details of the eye laser procedure. Moisture drops were placed on my right eye. I knew that as soon as Matthew lifted the beautiful corneal flap he’d just created, my vision was going to get blurry again.
It did. I was asked to stare at a small light located just above me. This “fixation” light was much blurrier than I had anticipated. It was a large smeared blob, so I just stared at the center of the blob. I heard the gentle tap, tap, tap of the laser start. It was only on for about 30 seconds.
The flap was then replaced in its natural position and left to heal for two minutes. My eye remained completely numb and I had no sensation during the entire procedure. At the end of the two minutes a few eye drops were placed on my eye. Moisture drops instantly made my vision much clearer. The same eye laser procedure was repeated on my left eye.
Your Laser Eye Surgery Procedure
We individualize your laser day to meet your specific needs so that your experience should be as simple and easy as was mine.
Since having my laser eye surgery procedure, I have been able to better prepare patients. That will help you be more relaxed on your laser day. I hope this helps you better understand what the LASIK eye surgery procedure feels like.
I am grateful to my partner Matthew Robinson for my vision. I hope hearing my story will help you in your journey to better vision. If you have any questions about the LASIK details, please schedule a time to see me about helping you with your eyes or send me a note.