Does Lasik Surgery Hurt?

San Francisco, Bay Area & San Jose, California

More than a million people a year undergo LASIK vision correction surgery and most of them are happy with the results. The procedure has one of the highest satisfaction rates of any procedure commonly performed today, estimated at 92 to 98 percent of patients. Even among those who indicate that the outcomes are not as good as they had hoped, many would undergo the procedure again. The first question everyone asks is, "Does LASIK hurt?"

One of the primary factors keeping people from seeking LASIK is fear of pain, which is understandable. Most people fear surgical procedures near the eyes because they are worried about potential loss of vision. The truth is, however, LASIK vision correction is one of the safest and least painful procedures you can undergo. During the surgery, only a local anesthetic is used and possibly a mild sedative to limit the movement of the eye during surgery.

When considering LASIK, it is important to find an experienced ophthalmologic surgeon with plenty of experience in vision correction. Dr. Craig Bindi of Laser Eye Center of Silicon Valley has performed more than 40,000 eye surgeries in the San Francisco area. His highly trained staff will help minimize any complications with efficient screening and skillful surgical techniques.

Good candidates for LASIK include people who:

• Have stable myopia under 10 diopters
• Are over 18 years of age
• Do not have any eye diseases such as glaucoma, keratoconus, or diabetic retinopathy
• Have had a stable prescription for at least one year prior to surgery
• Have sufficient corneal thickness
• Are not pregnant

You may feel some pressure during the procedure, but there is no pain; the numbing eye drops are extremely effective in preventing any discomfort. After the procedure, pain is mild and can be controlled with over-the-counter medications.

A more common post-operative complaint is a gritty sensation, almost like when you have dirt or an eyelash in your eye. This sensation is worse immediately following surgery and goes away after a few days. Dry eyes are also common after LASIK and are usually relieved with regular eye drops.

While there is little or no pain involved, as with all surgeries, there are risks and complications, including:

• Over/under correction
• Halos and glare
• Dry eyes
• Irritation
• Infection

If you are considering laser vision correction surgery, schedule a free consultation with an experienced San Francisco LASIK surgeon to find out if you are a good candidate for LASIK. Find out more about eliminating your reliance on glasses and contacts with the safe and effective LASIK procedure at the Laser Eye Center of Silicon Valley.

1.800.725.0740