LASIK continues to rise in popularity with a procedure that takes less than 30 minutes and results that often last decades. It is no wonder over 600,000 people in the USA have LASIK yearly to correct their vision defects.
Before starting the treatment, many patients often ask: How long does laser eye surgery take, and what can you anticipate before, during, and after the procedure?
This guide will provide you with all the essential information regarding the surgery duration, recovery process, and the longevity of your corrected vision.
What Is Laser Eye Surgery?
Laser eye surgery reshapes the cornea to correct refractive vision errors. This procedure addresses issues such as
- Hyperopia (farsightedness)
- Myopia (nearsightedness)
- Astigmatism
LASER eye treatments are of various types. The most common types include:
- LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis)
- PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)
- SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction)
How Does Laser Eye Surgery Work?
It is crucial to understand the intricate procedure to understand how long LASIK, or laser eye surgery, takes. Here are the basic steps of LASIK.
1. Preparation for Laser Eye Surgery
Your treatment begins with a comprehensive eye evaluation, where your surgeon measures corneal thickness, maps the eye using corneal topography, and evaluates your medical history. Depending on the lens type, you should refrain from wearing contact lenses for at least 1 to 4 weeks.
2. Creating the Corneal Flap
During LASIK, a thin flap is created on the outer layer of your cornea. This process can be performed using either a microkeratome (a mechanical blade) or a femtosecond laser. Most patients experience only slight pressure during this stage.
3. Reshaping the Cornea with Laser Precision
After the flap is raised, a computer-controlled excimer laser accurately reforms the cornea to address your specific vision issue. This step takes as little as 20 to 60 seconds per eye, depending on the correction required.
4. Healing Begins Instantly
Once reshaping is complete, the flap is carefully repositioned. No stitches are needed. Healing begins immediately, and the flap naturally adheres as the cornea regenerates.
How Long Is a Laser Eye Surgery Procedure from Start to Finish?
If you are worried about how long a laser eye surgery will take, it is important to differentiate between the actual laser treatment time and the total time you will spend at your appointment.
- Laser correction time: 20–60 seconds per eye
- Time in the operating room: Around 10–15 minutes per eye
- Total surgery time for both eyes: Less than 30 minutes
However, your entire visit to the surgical center usually lasts between 1.5 to 2.5 hours, which includes:
- Pre-op prep (numbing drops, eyelid cleaning)
- Detailed measurements and planning
- Post-surgery instructions and eye checks
How Long Is Recovery After Laser Eye Surgery?
The recovery process starts immediately after surgery. You can expect to have a clear vision after 24 hours of the treatment. However, complete recovery usually takes time.
Here we have discussed how long laser eye surgery recovery time is.
The First 24 to 48 Hours
You might feel some discomfort immediately after the surgery. Most people feel like small particles roaming inside their eyes or a blurry vision. However, after 24-48 hours of surgery, you will be able to get a clear vision. Avoid rubbing your eyes after surgery.
The First Week
After 24-48 hours, your vision stabilizes. Your doctor will analyze whether your cornea is healing properly. However, you are not allowed to swim or participate in other sports. During these activities, your own sweat or other particles in the environment can irritate your eye.
Full Recovery Timeline
Your eye will get fully healed in 1 to 3 months, depending on your healing characteristics. During this period, you may experience watching haloes, night glares, or light sensitivity. These effects fade with time and are eliminated completely after 1-3 months.
Why You Can Trust Texan Eye Care for Laser Eye Treatment
With more than 25 years of expertise, Texan Eye Care stands as a reliable leader in custom LASIK and advanced cataract treatment in Central Texas. From comprehensive evaluations to modern surgical technology, you are in expert hands every step of the way.
Texan Eye offers:
- Personalized vision correction plans
- Advanced femtosecond and excimer laser systems
- Post-operative follow-ups to ensure optimal healing
Conclusion
If you are wondering how long eye laser surgery takes, the answer is a few minutes. Each eye will take almost 15 minutes during which your doctor can perform efficient laser eye treatment. It involves numbing your eye for the procedure, making a flap, and then correcting your corneal shape with a laser.
You will get a clear view after 24 to 48 hours. However, your corneal flap is not stitched, so it takes time to heal properly. During this time, it is suggested that you take care of your eyes, avoid rubbing, and engage in sports that may damage your eyes.
FAQs.
No-procedure Lasik does not hurt at all. Prior to the procedure, numbing eye drops are administered. Most patients experience only slight pressure.
Laser eye surgery is considered a permanent solution for eye corrective defects including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. It reshapes cornea permanently. However, sometimes people get eye problems with increasing age even after lasik.
LASIK can be performed after 18, but the best age is 21 to 40. At this age, your vision usually stabilizes, and you can get the maximum benefits of LASIK. Vision usually changes before 21 and after 40.
