Is laser eye surgery painful?
Laser eye surgery is a medical procedure done using a laser to reshape the eye. Many people are hesitant and the question that is on most of their minds is “Is laser eye surgery painful?”. Specialists in VIC offer treatment for eye disorders such as laser eye surgery and shared some information below.
What is laser eye surgery used for?
Laser eye surgery is done to correct astigmatism, short-sightedness, and long-sightedness. The laser would be used to shape the eye into a more desirable shape that will help the patient be able to see better. It is an effective surgery that will last only about 15 minutes, but then some patients would still have to wear glasses to obtain the optimum vision. This can be a little inconvenient because part of the appeal of laser eye surgery to many patients is the novelty of not wearing glasses after the surgery.
Is laser eye surgery painful?
Just like any surgery, you can expect some pressure during the surgery. There will be no pain, but then since you will not be put under general anesthesia for the procedure, you will be awake and would still be able to feel what is happening to some extent.
The procedure itself should be painless. Eye-numbing eye drops would be applied to the eye that will have the surgery. Doctors may also prescribe medication in case you would have trouble relaxing for the procedure. There would be some discomfort during recovery, but that is normal.
What to expect during recovery
After the procedure is finished and the anesthesia wears off, the patient can expect to feel a little bit of discomfort and slight pain as the eye recovers. This is normal for any type of surgical procedure, and as long as no infection develops, this mild pain should subside within a few days after the surgery.
A patient should also expect to experience temporary itching in the eyes after surgery, as well as possible dizziness or blurry vision. However, all of these effects would only last for a few hours.
The pain you feel should only be brief and mild. If you suddenly feel significant pain that comes days after the surgery was completed, or if the mild pain developed into more severe pain, it would be a good idea to contact your doctor because there is a chance that an infection is developing in your eye.
Will the procedure be covered by insurance?
Many people would want to ditch their glasses and be able to function well without them. This is what would make the procedure a cosmetic one. It will most likely not be covered by medical insurance.
If you are considering getting laser eye surgery, talk to your doctor about the possible risks you may encounter with this procedure. It is mostly painless, and you should be in and out of the doctor’s office in less than an hour if all goes well. If you have qualms, talk to your doctor before getting the surgery. This is one of the most popular eye surgeries on the market. It is safe but quite pricey. Your doctor can answer any questions you have about laser eye surgery.
