Many people who are considering laser eye surgery have one central question: does laser eye surgery hurt? The thought of an operation on the eye, one of our most sensitive sensory organs, can be quite unsettling. After all, you blink reflexively as soon as something comes close to your eye – so what will it be like with a laser ?

In this article, you will learn how anesthesia makes the procedure pain-free, what laser eye surgery really feels like, what after-effects are normal and what you can do if you experience any discomfort during the healing phase.

Laser eye surgery and pain – is the concern justified?

The good news is that most patients find the procedure painless or only feel a slight sensation of pressure. Thanks to modern treatment methods such as Femto-LASIK or ReLEx SMILE and the use of anaesthetic eye drops, the sensation of pain during laser surgery is minimal. Nevertheless, there are individual differences – some patients report a slight burning sensation or foreign body sensation afterthe operation, while others feel no pain at all.

Is pain the reason for the fear of laser eye treatment?

Other fears besides the worry of pain are:

• The idea of having to keep your eyes open during the procedure – what happens if you blink or move your eye?
• Fear of complications – Even though modern treatment methods are extremely safe, there is still the worry that something could go wrong.
• Uncertainty about the result – will my vision really improve? What are the chances of no longer needing glasses or contact lenses after the procedure?
• Loss of control during the procedure – The idea of a laser hitting the eye directly can be daunting.

The good news is that these fears are normal, but in most cases unfounded. Modern laser technologyensures that the procedure is completed in just a few minutes per eye, and an experienced surgeon ensures that everything is carried out safely and precisely.

Why laser eye surgery under anesthesia is painless

The good news first: laser eye surgery does not hurt! Thanks to state-of-the-art treatment methods and effective anesthesia of the eye, the procedure is virtually painless.

Instead of an injection or general anesthesia, special anesthetic eye drops are used during laser eye surgery. These take effect within a few seconds and ensure that the cornea, i.e. the uppermost layer of the eye, becomes completely insensitive. This means that no pain can be felt. At the same time, visionis preserved so that blurred shapes or light can still be seen during the procedure.

What you really feel during the procedure

Although the treatment is painless, patients do notice a few things:

• A slight feeling of pressure when the eye is prepared for the laser.
• Bright light or a glare effect (light sensitivity), as the eye is fixed during the procedure.
• A buzzing sound when the laser is working – but the actual laser procedure only takes a few seconds per eye.
• No burning, no stinging, no pain!

Many people report that the procedure feels “strange, but not unpleasant” – like looking at a bright lamp for a few seconds while the eye is completely numb. If you are still nervous, you can be given a mild sedative beforehand to help you relax completely during the laser eye treatment.

The laser procedure only takes a few minutes and is over after a short time – without pain, without fear and with the feeling of having done something great for your eyesight!

Pain and discomfort as an after-effect of laser eye surgery

If laser eye surgery hurts, it is after the actual procedure. This is when the eye begins to heal. But even here, severe pain is not to be expected.

A few minutes after lasering:

Laser eye surgery does not hurt immediately after the procedure! The anesthetic eye drops are still working and usually last for around 30 to 60 minutes. During this time, the eye still feels numb, so there is no pain.

What patients perceive in the first few minutes after laser treatment:

• Blurred vision, as the eyes are still slightly foggy.
• Slight sensitivity to light, which is why sunglasses can be helpful.
• A strange feeling in the eye, as if you were wearing a dry contact lens.
• Occasionally a slight glare effect, which quickly returns to normal.

As the actual eye surgery only takes a few minutes per eye and there is no pain immediately afterwards, many people are able to get up and recover after a short time.

As soon as the anesthetic wears off, there may be a slight burning sensation or a foreign body sensation – this is normal and usually disappears within the first few hours to days.

In the healing phase after laser vision correction

After laser eye treatment, the healing phase begins, during which the cornea regenerates and vision stabilizes. During this time, slight after-effects are quite normal and usually disappear within a few days to weeks.

Typical after-effects that are completely normal:

• Slight burning sensation or feeling of dryness, as tear production is not yet fully regulated at the beginning.
• Blurred vision or fluctuations in visual acuity, especially in the first few days.
• Light sensitivity and glare effects, especially when driving in the dark.
• A foreign body sensation, similar to a dry contact lens.

These symptoms can be alleviated with special eye drops and usually subside within a few days.

When should you see an ophthalmologist?

In rare cases, complications can occur. It is therefore important to look out for unusual symptoms, such as

• Severe pain that persists despite painkillers.
• Sudden loss of vision or severe deterioration.
• Redness of the eyes or signs of infection.
• Flashes of light or shadows in the field of vision that could indicate a retinal problem.

Why aftercare is so important

In order to optimally support healing, regular follow-up examinations at the laser eye center are crucial. At these appointments, the ophthalmologist checks whether the healing process is progressing normally and whether the visual performance has improved as expected.

With the right aftercare, good eye care and a little patience, nothing stands in the way of a new life without glasses or contact lenses!