Laser eye surgery is a well-liked procedure that has benefited millions of patients around the world. If you are thinking about it, there may be one burning question that you have, which is, how long does the procedure take? If you are thinking about LASIK, PRK or any other sort of laser vision correction surgery, it is important to know how much time you will need to invest. This blog will give step by step explanation of how long it takes from preparation to recovery so that you can make an informed decision.
The Duration of the Laser Eye Surgery Procedure
LASIK surgery is famous for being fast and effective and is categorized as laser eye surgery. Nevertheless, the time you will take in the clinic may differ with the type of surgery and your requirements. Here is what you need to know concerning time.
Pre-Surgery Preparations (15 to 30 minutes)
Before the actual surgery begins, there are several preparatory steps involved:
- Eye Examination: Your prescription will be checked by the surgeon and he or she will ensure that your eyes are fit for the surgery. This is normally conducted in an initial interview but may be quickly discussed before the operation.
- Numbing Eye Drops: To make the surgery comfortable, the surgeon will apply eye drops that will make the eyes insensitive to pain. This is a process that only takes a few minutes.
- Final Adjustments: Sometimes, you may be required to lie down, and the surgeon will do some final checks or modifications before surgery.
Laser Surgery (10 to 20 minutes)
The laser treatment itself is actually very quick and usually takes no more than 15 minutes per eye.
Creating the Flap (for LASIK): In LASIK surgery the surgeon uses a special instrument to make a flap in the cornea. This step normally would take between 10 to 20 seconds but preparation and alignment may take up to 5 minutes.
Reshaping the Cornea: The surgeon employs a laser of great accuracy to alter the curvature of your cornea in a bid to fix your sight. It only takes approximately 30 seconds to several minutes for the laser treatment for both eyes depending on the prescription.
Replacing the Flap: After the cornea is reshaped, the surgeon will replace the flap, which should not take more than 1-2 minutes to do.
All in all, the real laser surgery for both eyes is likely to last 10 to 20 minutes.
Post-Surgery Recovery (15 to 30 minutes)
After the surgery is over, the patient is taken to a recovery area where the surgeon will check on you for any complications that might arise soon after surgery.
- Initial Recovery: You may have some blurring or discomfort after the procedure, but this should not last more than a few hours. The majority of patients are able to regain sufficient vision to be discharged from the hospital immediately postoperatively.
- Discharge Instructions: The surgeon will give clear instructions as to how you should care for your eyes after surgery, especially when using eye drops, and when to come for a follow up appointment.
Total Time at the Clinic: 1 to 2 Hours
The actual surgery takes only a small amount of time but be prepared to spend between 1 to 2 hours at the clinic. It enables preparations before the surgery, the surgery process, and the monitoring period after the surgery.
How Long Does Recovery Take?
Yet, the procedure is relatively short, recovery is a significant part of the process. Most patients are able to see much better within a day or two following the surgery, but full recovery may take between several weeks to several months depending on the type of surgery that was done.
- First 24 Hours: In most cases, you will need to take a break from the screen and probably avoid any activity that may cause sweating. The patient can see a significant change in vision the following day.
- First Week: It may be necessary to refrain from such activities as swimming or touching the eyes during this period.
- One Month: After one month, most of the patients regaining full strength and are able to see clearly and brightly.
Factors That May Affect the Duration of Your Surgery
Several factors can affect how long your laser eye surgery takes:
- Type of Surgery: LASIK is relatively quicker than PRK, PRK takes some time for the healing process since it involves the shaving off of the outer surface of the cornea.
- Prescription Strength: If you have higher prescription, the laser may take little longer to enhance your vision.
- Eye Health: Some conditions that may arise include dry eye syndrome or other complications may take longer time to operate or for recovery.
Laser eye surgery is relatively fast and very efficient; the surgery itself only takes between 10 to 20 minutes. From preparation before surgery to the time of monitoring after the surgery, you should plan to spend 1- 2 hours at the clinic. If you are thinking of going under LASIK, PRK, or any other laser eye surgery, the procedures are made to be quick with little or no time off.
If you are willing to see the world without the help of glasses or contact lenses, The Eye Foundation is at your service. Our highly skilled surgeons and state-of-the art technology guarantee your laser eye surgery is as smooth and effective. Book an appointment today and get a step closer to having the best vision that you have ever desired!
