Laser eye surgery might make you nervous, and that’s perfectly normal, even though it ranks among the UK’s most common elective procedures. The numbers tell a reassuring story – laser eye surgery works safely for more than 99% of patients. The risk of complications stays remarkably low at just 0.3%.
Many people worry about staying awake during laser eye surgery and its potential risks. The procedure happens while you’re awake, but the whole ordeal takes just minutes. London’s specialist clinics offer expert surgeons and cutting-edge technology. The chance of facing complications that doctors can’t fix properly is nowhere near common – about 1 in 30,000.
Let me share what experienced eye surgeons want you to know about this procedure. The actual laser part of LASIK takes less than 15 seconds. Patient satisfaction rates hit an impressive 96%. Your nervousness makes complete sense, but with proper information and support, you’ll feel much more confident about the procedure.
What makes people nervous about laser eye surgery?
Many patients feel nervous about laser eye surgery, and that’s completely natural. Let’s talk about the most common worries and help put your mind at ease.
Fear of pain or going blind
Most people who want laser eye surgery worry they’ll feel pain during the procedure. The good news is that you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. Your eyes will be completely numb from anaesthetic drops before the surgery starts. Patients usually feel just a quick pressure at certain points, much like wearing tight swimming goggles.
The thought of going blind scares many people too. You’ll be glad to know the risk is extremely small—about 1 in 5 million. This means you have a higher chance of dying from falling out of bed. Records show that no one has ever gone completely blind from laser eye surgery.
Worry about blinking or moving
People often stress about moving their eyes or blinking during surgery. Modern laser eye surgery uses advanced 3D eye-tracking technology that takes care of this. The system:
- Takes 500-1000 photographs of your eye each second
- Tracks eye movements with perfect accuracy
- Stops right away if you move too much
Small eye movements, blinking, or even sneezing won’t affect your procedure. Your surgeon will explain everything step by step, so nothing catches you off guard.
Anxiety about being awake during the procedure
Staying awake during eye surgery makes many people nervous. This part plays a vital role in making the surgery successful. You’ll need to look at a target light that helps position your eye just right for the laser. Being awake also lets you and your surgeon communicate throughout the procedure. If you’re feeling extra nervous, you can take a mild sedative to help you relax. The medicine needs about 20 minutes to work, and you can decide whether you want it on surgery day. Precision Vision London’s expert surgeons walk patients through every step beforehand. You’ll know exactly what happens during your laser eye surgery experience.
What eye surgeons want you to know
Expert eye surgeons at Precision Vision London know your concerns about laser eye surgery. They want to share some information that will ease your mind about the procedure.
Laser eye surgery is safe and quick
Laser eye surgery ranks among the safest elective surgical procedures available. The complication rate stays below 1%, and most people get excellent outcomes. The procedure takes just 15 minutes, and the actual laser treatment lasts seconds to minutes for each eye. You’ll notice vision improvements right away, and most patients recover fully within 24 hours.
You stay awake, but feel completely comfortable
People often feel nervous because they need to stay awake during laser eye surgery. This actually helps you focus on a target light that keeps your eye in the right position. Your surgeon will use a small instrument to keep your eyelids open gently, so you won’t need to worry about blinking. The team can give you oral sedative medication if you feel anxious, which helps you relax without falling asleep. Most patients say their stress before surgery was much worse than any discomfort they felt during the actual procedure.
Eye tracking technology delivers precision
Modern eye-tracking technology handles all concerns about eye movement. These advanced systems:
- Take 500-1,000 photographs of your eye every second
- Track even the smallest movements automatically
- Stop the laser if your eye moves outside the treatment zone
Your movements won’t affect the outcome – whether you cough, sneeze, or turn your head. This technology will give a perfect laser beam placement every time.
Numbing drops make it painless
Most patients feel just a quick pressure sensation during the procedure. This happens as the surgeon creates the corneal flap – it feels like wearing tight swimming goggles. The numbing drops block nerve signals in your eyes temporarily, so you stay comfortable throughout. These anaesthetic drops make sure you won’t feel pain during surgery. Many patients feel surprised at their comfort level, with one patient saying: “The procedure itself was a piece of cake… Nothing hurt”.
How to prepare and feel more confident
Practical preparation helps substantially reduce pre-procedure jitters before laser eye surgery. It’s natural to feel nervous before surgery but you’re not alone. Precision Vision London’s surgeons explain every step, use the safest technology, and support you through the process.
Visit the clinic and meet your surgeon
Your first step involves scheduling a preliminary assessment with your eye surgeon. This meeting lets them review your eye health and determine if you qualify for treatment. Note that you should stop wearing contact lenses before this assessment—soft lenses need three to five days and hard lenses require up to four weeks. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists suggests waiting at least a week between assessment and procedure.
Ask questions and understand the process
You should ask about costs (including aftercare), treatment expectations, recovery timelines, and what it all means during your consultation. Each step becomes clearer when you understand it fully, which helps reduce anxiety. Make your decision without feeling rushed.
Think over a mild sedative if needed
A mild sedative tablet can help you stay relaxed without putting you to sleep, especially when you have anxiety. These tablets need about 20 minutes to work, and you can decide whether you need one on the day of surgery. Someone should accompany you home afterward.
Practise breathing and relaxation techniques
Breathing exercises help reduce stress levels effectively. The technique involves inhaling for five seconds, holding for five seconds, and slowly exhaling for five seconds. Your heart rate drops and you feel calmer with this method. Book your consultation today and let our expert care put your mind at ease.
What to expect after surgery
Most patients have a quick and smooth recovery after laser eye surgery at Precision Vision London. Learning what to expect will help reduce any anxiety about the procedure.
The recovery timeline
Your vision improves within hours after surgery, and 80-90% of healing happens on the first day. Your vision might be foggy or blurry at first. LASIK patients usually go back to work within 24-48 hours. LASEK recovery needs 4-7 days. The complete healing takes about six months.
Common sensations and how to manage them
After surgery, you might feel:
- Light sensitivity and watery eyes for 24 hours
- Mild discomfort that feels like “grittiness”
- Dry eyes—the most common side effect
The prescribed lubricating eye drops help manage these sensations between medication doses. Sunglasses will protect your eyes from light sensitivity outdoors. Don’t rub your eyes because this could move the healing corneal flap.
When to expect full results
Your vision becomes stable within 3-6 months after surgery. You might notice some changes as the swelling goes down during this time. Light halos, especially at night, are normal early in recovery and fade over time.
Support from your care team at Precision Vision London
Your aftercare has several follow-up visits—the day after surgery, at 3-4 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months. These checkups track your healing and let you ask questions. Our complete aftercare programme will give you support throughout your recovery.
Conclusion
Many people feel anxious about laser eye surgery, but the facts tell a different story. Of course, the exceptional safety record with over 99% success rates and minimal complication risks of just 0.3% should put your mind at ease. The actual laser treatment takes only seconds. Numbing drops will give you complete comfort during the procedure. Precision Vision London’s advanced eye-tracking technology removes any worry about blinking or eye movement. Most patients go back to their daily routines within 24-48 hours. The remarkable 96% patient satisfaction rate shows how well the procedure works and highlights our quality of care.
Your comfort level improves with proper preparation. You can meet your surgeon beforehand, understand each step, and learn about recovery. Feeling nervous before surgery is natural – you’re not alone. Precision Vision London’s surgeons explain everything clearly. We use the safest technology and support you throughout your experience. Book your consultation today and let our expert care put your mind at ease.
Laser eye surgery’s life-changing benefits shouldn’t be overshadowed by understandable concerns. Modern technology, expert care, and complete support at Precision Vision London will make your experience comfortable and successful. Thousands of satisfied patients once felt exactly like you do now. They started nervous but ended up delighted with their decision to get clearer vision.
FAQs
Q1. How long does it take to recover from laser eye surgery? Most patients experience significant vision improvement within 24 hours after surgery. While LASIK patients typically return to work within 1-2 days, LASEK recovery may take 4-7 days. Complete healing occurs over approximately six months, with vision stabilising within 3-6 months post-surgery.
Q2. Is laser eye surgery painful? The procedure itself is virtually painless due to anaesthetic eye drops. Most patients only feel a brief sensation of pressure, often described as similar to wearing tight swimming goggles. After surgery, some mild discomfort or a ‘gritty’ feeling in the eyes is common but usually subsides quickly.
Q3. What if I blink or move my eyes during the procedure? Advanced eye-tracking technology used in laser eye surgery takes 500-1,000 photographs of your eye every second, automatically tracking even slight movements. The laser pauses if your eye moves outside the treatment zone, ensuring precision regardless of blinking, coughing, or sneezing.
Q4. How safe is laser eye surgery? Laser eye surgery is considered one of the safest elective surgical procedures available. The complication rate is remarkably low—less than 1%, with over 99% of patients experiencing successful outcomes. The risk of serious complications that cannot be satisfactorily corrected is extremely rare, approximately 1 in 30,000.
Q5. Can I be sedated for laser eye surgery if I’m feeling anxious? Yes, if you’re feeling particularly anxious, a mild sedative tablet can be provided to help you stay relaxed without putting you to sleep. This typically takes about 20 minutes to take effect, and you can decide on the day of the procedure whether you wish to have it. However, you will need to arrange for someone to accompany you home afterwards.
