Does SBK LASIK Surgery Hurt? And Other Important Questions About Pain and Anxiety Associated with Laser Vision Correction

What Overland Park Residents Like You Need to Know to Quell Their Fears

One of the most common reasons laser vision correction patients cite for not pursuing procedures sooner is that they were anxious or afraid about the procedure or the recovery process afterward. Some people don’t like their eyes being touched, while others fear unwanted side effects.

The Durrie Vision team is here to quell your fears and respond to your most pressing questions about pain and anxiety before, during, and after LASIK surgery, refractive lens exchange, and other procedures.

How Can You Be Sure I’m a Candidate?

The refractive surgeons at Durrie Vision have put together an extensive evaluation for determining whether patients qualify for one of our laser vision correction procedures. We call it our Advanced Ocular Analysis, a seven-step exam that gives us an accurate picture of your eye’s overall health and your existing refractive errors. This in-depth analysis enables us to determine your candidacy with more precision than other refractive surgeons.

Will I Be Given Anesthesia for LASIK Surgery or Other Laser Vision Correction Procedures?

Anesthesia is not necessary for laser vision correction. You are awake the entire time and won’t need to pay an expensive anesthesiology bill as a result.

However, at Durrie Vision, our refractive eye surgeons provide you with a dose of oral medication that can help you relax and relieve anxiety during your procedure. You will take this medication several minutes before your procedure begins.

I’m Very Anxious About Things Touching My Eyes. How Will I Get Through the Procedure?

You’ll be relieved to know that our patients successfully undergo laser vision correction despite anxiety! The medication given prior to the procedure can help alleviate it, as does the care and compassion of our team.

During the procedure, your refractive eye surgeon will walk you through every step of the process, letting you know what will happen before it happens. Best of all, the procedure is over quickly – sometimes in mere minutes – so it’s over before your anxiety has hit its peak.

Is LASIK Surgery Painful During the Procedure?

Before undergoing any laser vision correction procedure, including SBK LASIK, the team at Durrie Vision thoroughly numbs your eyes so you don’t feel anything at all.

Some patients report feeling a sensation of pressure during the procedure, but never pain.

Does It Hurt Afterward?

The majority of patients do not report any pain after LASIK surgery and other treatments. However, there may be some slight discomfort and dryness after your procedure. These are totally normal and manageable.

The preservative-free tears you’ll use afterward will help stave off these symptoms. Some patients refrigerate these eye drops before use, particularly for the first couple of days after your procedure, when you’ll be instilling preservative-free tears every 30 minutes.

Will My Cornea Detach Easily After SBK LASIK Surgery?

During SBK LASIK, our refractive surgeons use a femtosecond laser to create a corneal flap in each eye. Especially after your laser vision correction procedure, you’ll want to be careful about not vigorously rubbing your eyes.

In general, there is a slightly elevated risk of corneal damage directly after a procedure, but this is incredibly rare. In actuality, the corneal flap heals very quickly and securely. During your post-procedure exam the very next day, your refractive surgeon will verify that the corneal flap is intact.

Will I Still Need Cataract Surgery Later in Life? Should I Wait for Laser Vision Correction Until Then?

The development of cataracts is a natural part of aging. Unless you have a procedure like refractive lens exchange, you’re at risk of developing cataracts. It’s impossible to avoid.

Our founder, Dr. Durrie, created the Lifetime Vision Plan, a tool that maps out a patient’s vision during their lifetime. This helps our patients understand age-related vision changes and how different vision correction technologies can address them when it’s time. For example, even if you undergo SBK LASIK surgery in your early 30s, you’ll likely be a great candidate for refractive cataract surgery in your 60s.

Put Your Fears Aside and Contact Durrie Vision

Don’t let your anxiety keep you from improving your eyesight! Request a free Advanced Ocular Analysis at Durrie Vision in Overland Park today to find out if you qualify for a laser vision correction procedure. All you have to do is send us a message or give us a call. While you wait, take our online quiz to learn more about which procedures may be right for you.