The idea of someone messing with your eyes can make just about anyone queasy. That’s why many people are reluctant to proceed with LASIK surgery. Not only is another party performing surgery on your eye, but the procedure is also being done while you’re awake and aware of what’s going on.
Is this really necessary? Can’t patients sleep during LASIK?
Sleep During LASIK—It’s Not the Best Idea
Unfortunately, patients should be awake for LASIK surgery. No, the doctors aren’t sadists who want to watch you squirm. Actually, being put to sleep during LASIK does more harm than good.
In order for the doctor to perform optimally, he or she needs your cooperation, and therefore, your cognizance.
Here are a couple of facts that will help ease your mind:
- Patients are given a local anesthetic so they don’t feel any pain during the procedure.
- The actual corneal reshaping is typically done by a laser and lasts less than a minute for each eye. The whole procedure takes about twenty to thirty minutes from start to finish.
- Going through the procedure without general anesthesia (being put to sleep) will mean less recovery time and fewer overall health risks.
What Happens During LASIK surgery?
If you are feeling anxious before your procedure, you can let your doctor know. They may be able to prescribe you an anti-anxiety medication. Mild sedatives are typically always given prior to the procedure to ease any discomfort and reduce nerves.
When you go in for your surgery, the team will administer the local anesthetic eye drops. You won’t feel any pain during the procedure.
The doctor will be asking you questions during the procedure to get an idea of how you’re responding to the surgery. If a person was to sleep during LASIK surgery, the doctor would have to wait until the patient came out from under the strong general anesthetic drugs. In which case, if any corrections were needed, they couldn’t be immediate. Another surgery would likely have to be scheduled.
Sleep During LASIK Surgery—It’s Not Worth It
What it all comes down to is the fact that more can be accomplished in a quicker amount of time than if you were to sleep during LASIK.
Still, the idea of staying awake and being aware of someone or something touching the most sensitive part of your body is unnerving for many. So much so, in fact, that many people avoid LASIK surgery for this very reason. That’s right, it’s not the cost of the procedure or the (very low) risks involved. What bothers them the most is being awake.
What we recommend is talking to as many people as you can about LASIK surgery. Those who have gone through the experience will tell you that it’s not as bad as it first seems. You won’t feel anything, and the procedure will be over before you know it.
If you want more information about this subject, or any other pertaining to LASIK, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to answer all of your questions. In the meantime, check out the ebook: LASIK MYTHS. It might help put some of your fears to rest!