Do I Have to be Awake During LASIK?

While some prospective LASIK patients may like the idea of being “asleep” during the procedure, there would be many drawbacks to using general anesthesia for vision correction surgery. General anesthesia, regardless of the procedure being performed, always entails some additional risks. The duration of LASIK surgery is usually only about 10 minutes total, and our state-of-the-art lasers can reshape the cornea in less than one minute during that stage of the procedure. Therefore, the risks of general anesthesia typically outweigh the potential benefit.

Most patients are surprised by how quickly the procedure is performed. It’s also important to note that numbing eye drops often help make the entire treatment experience virtually painless. Plus, advanced LASIK techniques available at Gulfcoast Eye Care such as the all-laser LASIK option make it possible to perform the procedure without a surgical blade coming anywhere near the eye. If you are exceptionally nervous about your LASIK procedure, Dr. Michael Manning may recommend a mild sedative or prescribe a medication to help you feel more relaxed.

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At Gulfcoast Eye Care, we do everything we can to maximize comfort and safety for our patients. For more information about LASIK surgery, or to schedule a consultation, please contact our office today.