How Long Does Laser Eye Surgery Take?

When considering laser eye surgery as a solution for correcting vision problems, one of the most common questions that arises is: How long does laser eye surgery take? Whether you’re contemplating a LASIK eye surgery procedure to eliminate your need for glasses or contact lenses or exploring other laser vision correction options, understanding the procedure and the time involved can help alleviate any concerns.

In this blog, we’ll cover the length of the laser eye surgery procedure, the steps involved, the factors that can influence the duration of the surgery, and what to expect during your eye surgery. We will also explore the recovery time and how you can manage your expectations to ensure a smooth healing process.

What is Laser Eye Surgery?

Laser eye surgery refers to a range of laser vision correction procedures used to treat refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The goal is to reshape the eye’s transparent outer layer cornea to improve how light rays are focused onto the retina. This reshaping helps correct vision problems and can lead to clear vision without needing glasses or contact lenses.

The most well-known laser eye surgery procedures include LASIK, PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), and SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction). While each procedure has nuances, they all involve using a laser to reshape the corneal tissue, resulting in improved vision.

The laser eye surgery is surprisingly quick, typically lasting 10 to 20 minutes per eye. However, the total time for the entire visit, including preparation and aftercare, may take longer. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect during your LASIK procedure or other laser vision correction treatments:

1. Pre-Surgery Preparations (15–30 minutes)

Before the laser surgery begins, you’ll spend some time in the preparation area. This includes the following:

Initial Consultation: Your eye surgeon will perform a comprehensive eye exam to ensure you are a suitable candidate for the procedure. The exam includes measurements of your corneal thickness and eye pressure and an assessment of your corneal topography (mapping your cornea’s surface).
Numbing the Eye: You will be given medicated eye drops to numb the eye’s surface. This will ensure you feel no pain or discomfort during the surgery. Some patients may also receive a mild sedative to help them relax.
Positioning: You’ll be asked to lie in a reclining chair in the operating room. Your eyelids will be held open using a special instrument to prevent blinking during the procedure. The suction ring will be placed on your eye to help stabilize it.

2. Laser Surgery (10–20 minutes)

The laser surgery will begin once you are properly positioned and your eye is numbed. The LASIK procedure is typically divided into two main steps:

Creating the Corneal Flap: The first part of the surgery involves creating a thin corneal flap. This is done using either a microkeratome (a surgical instrument) or a femtosecond laser. The flap is carefully lifted, exposing the deeper layers of the corneal tissue. This step usually takes about 1–2 minutes per eye.
Reshaping the Cornea: The second part of the surgery involves using an excimer laser to reshape the underlying corneal tissue. The laser removes a precise amount of corneal tissue, which helps focus light properly on the retina, correcting refractive errors. The laser treatment typically takes less than a minute for each eye.

After the cornea has been reshaped, the corneal flap is gently repositioned over the treated area, where it naturally adheres without stitches.

3. Post-Surgery Care (15–30 minutes)

Once the procedure is complete, you will spend a short time in the recovery area. This allows the laser eye surgeon to check everything and monitor your vision. You may experience some light sensitivity, blurred vision, or mild discomfort during this time, but these symptoms should dissipate within a few hours.

Eye Drops: Your surgeon will likely apply eye drops to your eyes to help with healing and prevent infection. You may also be prescribed medicated eye drops for several weeks following the procedure.
Recovery Instructions: Your surgeon will provide detailed instructions on caring for your eyes post-surgery, including avoiding rubbing your eyes, playing contact sports, or using eye makeup for a few days.

4. Total Time for Laser Eye Surgery (1–2 hours)

Your visit to the surgical center will typically take about 1 to 2 hours from start to finish, including preparation, surgery, and immediate aftercare. This includes time spent in the waiting area and the surgeon’s time explaining the procedure and answering your questions. The laser eye surgery procedure only lasts 10 to 20 minutes per eye.

Factors That Can Influence How Long Laser Eye Surgery Takes

While the laser eye surgery procedure is relatively quick, several factors can influence how long the procedure takes for you:

Type of Procedure: The LASIK procedure is one of the quickest, but if you undergo a different form of refractive surgery, such as PRK or SMILE, the process may take slightly longer due to the specific techniques involved.
Surgical Complexity: The laser treatment may take longer if your eyes have more complex refractive errors. Additionally, patients who require correct vision in both eyes simultaneously may experience a slightly longer surgery duration.
Experience of the Surgeon: An experienced eye surgeon can perform the procedure more efficiently, reducing the overall time for laser eye surgery. Surgeons skilled in LASIK surgery can typically complete the procedure with minimal delays.
Patient Comfort and Relaxation: In some cases, if a patient is nervous or has difficulty staying still, the procedure may take longer. Relaxation techniques and a calm, experienced surgeon can help reduce delays.

What to Expect After Laser Eye Surgery

After undergoing laser eye surgery, including LASIK surgery, patients can expect a generally smooth recovery process, but certain factors must be aware of. The immediate post-surgery period involves some discomfort and visual fluctuations, but most individuals see noticeable improvements quickly. Your eye surgeon will guide you through what to expect during this recovery phase, and it’s important to follow their instructions to ensure the best possible outcome.

1. Initial Vision Changes and Blurred Vision

Blurring vision is one of the most common immediate effects after laser vision correction. This is typically temporary and can last a few hours to a few days. Immediately after the procedure, it’s normal for your vision to be cloudy or fuzzy, but this should improve as your eyes begin to heal and adjust to the changes made during the surgery. You may also experience slight blurred vision due to dry eyes, which can be managed with medicated eye drops prescribed by your eye surgeon.

Some patients also experience fluctuating vision during the healing process, with clarity of vision varying throughout the day. This is a natural part of the healing process and resolves itself over time. As your cornea heals and stabilizes, your vision should gradually improve, with most patients achieving their final result within a few weeks.

2. Increased Light Sensitivity

After laser eye surgery, it’s common to experience light sensitivity for a short period. This sensitivity may cause discomfort, particularly when exposed to bright lights or dim environments. Bright lights may appear glaring, and you might find it challenging to adjust to changes in lighting.

This issue generally improves as the eyes heal, but in the early stages, wearing sunglasses outdoors can help protect your eyes and provide relief. Your eye surgeon will advise you on managing light sensitivity and making your recovery more comfortable.

3. Immediate Post-Surgery Discomfort

Most patients report mild discomfort after LASIK surgery, such as a sensation of grittiness or itchiness in the eyes. This is usually temporary and subsides within a few hours to days. The discomfort can be alleviated using prescribed eye drops, which help reduce inflammation and promote healing.

You may also experience watery eyes, a natural response as the eyes adjust after surgery. It is essential to follow your surgeon’s instructions for using eye drops to manage these symptoms and reduce the risk of infection or irritation.

4. Avoiding Contact Lenses and Eyewear

You must avoid wearing contact lenses for the first few days to weeks after laser eye surgery. Wearing contact lenses during recovery can interfere with healing and cause discomfort. The corneal tissue needs time to stabilize and adapt to the changes made during surgery. Your eye surgeon will provide clear guidelines on when you can resume wearing contact lenses or glasses if needed.

In many cases, LASIK surgery eliminates the need for glasses or contact lenses. However, for some patients, reading glasses may still be required for close-up tasks, especially if they develop presbyopia (the natural aging of the eye, affecting near vision).

5. Follow-up Appointments

After laser eye surgery, attending follow-up appointments with your eye surgeon is crucial to monitor your progress and ensure your eyes are healing properly. Typically, the first follow-up occurs within 24 to 48 hours after the procedure. During this visit, your eye surgeon will assess your vision and check for potential complications, such as infection or issues with the corneal flap (if LASIK surgery was performed).

Additional follow-up visits may be scheduled over the next few months to track your healing and verify that your vision has stabilized. Regular check-ups allow your surgeon to ensure that there are no signs of complications and that your vision correction is progressing as expected.

6. Healing Time and Activities to Avoid

While laser eye surgery is relatively quick and minimally invasive, the full healing process can take time. Most people’s vision stabilizes in a few days to a week. However, complete recovery can take several weeks to months, depending on the individual and the type of surgery.

In the first few days following surgery, it’s essential to avoid activities that could strain or irritate the eyes, such as:

Reading or using electronic devices for extended periods
Swimming or using hot tubs, which can introduce bacteria into your eyes
Rubbing your eyes, which can disturb the corneal flap or cause irritation
Contact sports that could result in injury to the eyes

Risks and Potential Complications

Although laser eye surgery is generally safe and effective, there are some risks and potential complications that can arise:

Dry Eyes: Some patients experience dry eyes after the procedure, which can be managed with eye drops or other treatments.
Over- or Under-Correction: In rare cases, laser eye surgery may not fully correct refractive errors, requiring a touch-up procedure to achieve the desired results.
Infection: Any surgical procedure risks infection, but following proper aftercare can significantly reduce this risk.
Visual Disturbances: Some patients report experiencing blurred vision, halos, or glare, particularly at night. These issues are usually resolved within a few weeks.

Conclusion

Laser eye surgery is a relatively quick and effective way to correct vision problems and reduce reliance on glasses or contact lenses. The procedure typically takes 10 to 20 minutes per eye and lasts about 1 to 2 hours. Factors such as the type of procedure, the complexity of the refractive errors, and the surgeon’s experience can influence the overall duration.

Most patients experience improved vision almost immediately following laser eye surgery, with full recovery taking weeks to months. Adhering to the post-operative instructions and attending follow-up appointments can ensure a smooth recovery and enjoy clear vision without needing glasses or contact lenses.

Before undergoing laser eye surgery, it’s important to consult with a refractive surgeon to determine if you’re a suitable candidate. Your surgeon will guide you through the process, help set expectations, and ensure you achieve the best possible results.

References

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/eyes-laser-eye-surgery

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lasik-eye-surgery/about/pac-20384774

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21805-lasik-eye-surgery

What is Laser Eye Surgery?