How Does Laser Eye Surgery Work?

It usually lasts just a few minutes and is typically painless, but there is some recovery involved.

How Does Laser Eye Surgery Work?

Your cornea plays a significant role in vision.

Laser eye surgery uses a laser to reshape your cornea to bend light differently and make images appear clearer.

You also receive medicine to help you relax without going to sleep.

The ophthalmologist will cut a corneal tissue flap using a laser or a special knife.

Next, that flap is peeled back so a different laser can reshape the cornea.

The amount they remove will depend on your prescription and the shape of your cornea’s surface.

After reshaping your cornea, the eye surgeon will put the corneal flap back into place without any stitches.

The surgery for each eye will take about 10 to 15 minutes.

It’s common to have eye surgery on both eyes, if needed, on the same day.

Can You Blink During Laser Eye Surgery?

Your vision also may be blurry.

Your vision may change for three to six months after laser eye surgery.

You also may continue to have specific vision-related symptoms, such as glare or halos.

However, it can take three to six months for your vision to fully stabilize.

Is It Permanent?

This vision change, called presbyopia, explains why many people in their 40s and beyond need reading glasses.

Yet some remain permanent.

You should inform your eye surgeon about any new side effects or vision changes after surgery.

Although many of these are normal, your eye surgeon can provide further information.

After the procedure, you could expect to have some limitations to avoid damage to your healing eye.

Benefits of eye surgery include improvement of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

Risks include dry eye, halos, glare, and increased light sensitivity.

Discuss any new side effects and vision changes with your eye doctor.

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