Understanding Comfort During Laser Eye Surgery

It’s completely natural to feel anxious about any procedure involving your eyes — after all, your vision is one of your most valuable senses. The reassuring truth is that laser eye surgery is virtually pain-free, thanks to the use of modern technology and advanced anaesthetic techniques.

At Centre for Sight, patient comfort and safety are at the heart of everything we do. Here’s what you can expect before, during, and after your procedure, along with expert insight into why most people experience minimal discomfort and rapid recovery.

Before your laser eye surgery, your surgeon will perform a thorough eye examination to ensure you’re a suitable candidate. During this stage, we’ll explain every step of the process, discuss what to expect on the day, and answer any concerns you may have — including those about potential pain or discomfort.

On the day of your procedure, anaesthetic eye drops are applied to completely numb the surface of your eyes. These drops work within seconds, ensuring that you won’t feel any sharp pain during the treatment.

Some patients describe a mild cooling or tingling sensation when the drops are first applied, but this passes quickly. By the time the laser begins, your eyes will be comfortably numb.

During laser eye surgery, such as LASIK, SMILE, or PRK, most patients report no pain at all. The procedure itself is very quick — usually lasting only around 10 to 15 minutes for both eyes.

Here’s what you might experience:

• Pressure (not pain): When the corneal flap is created during LASIK, you may feel a gentle pressure for about 10 seconds. This is completely normal and not painful.

• Awareness of light: You’ll be able to see light or movement, but you won’t see what’s happening in detail.

• Mild sounds: The laser makes a soft clicking noise as it reshapes the cornea.

Throughout the procedure, your surgeon and the clinical team will guide you calmly through each step. The laser system also tracks your eye movements in real-time, ensuring precision and safety.

Most patients are pleasantly surprised at how comfortable and quick the procedure is — many even comment afterwards that it felt easier than a dental appointment.

Once your procedure is complete, the numbing drops begin to wear off. As sensation returns, you may experience some mild, temporary symptoms such as:

• Grittiness or stinging

• Watery eyes

• A feeling of dryness or irritation

These effects are completely normal and usually last only a few hours. We recommend that you rest or sleep for at least four hours following your surgery. Keeping your eyes closed during this period allows them to recover comfortably and quickly.

When you wake, most of the discomfort will have subsided, and you’ll often notice a significant improvement in your vision almost immediately.

While some dryness or grittiness can persist for a few days, this is easily managed with artificial tears provided as part of your postoperative care pack. Using these drops regularly keeps your eyes hydrated and comfortable.

Patients who follow their surgeon’s instructions closely tend to experience the smoothest recovery. You’ll be given detailed guidance on how often to use your drops, when to return for check-ups, and how to protect your eyes during the early healing phase.

To ensure a positive recovery:

• Avoid rubbing or touching your eyes

• Use artificial tears as instructed

• Wear protective eye shields at night (if provided)

• Keep your eyes clean and makeup-free for the recommended period

• Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments

Within a few days, most patients are able to return to normal activities, including driving and work, with minimal disruption.

Laser eye surgery is designed to deliver permanent vision correction with minimal downtime. While some mild dryness or light sensitivity can occur during the first few weeks, these symptoms gradually resolve as the eyes stabilise.

At Centre for Sight, we use state-of-the-art laser systems and precision mapping technology to tailor each treatment to the individual eye. This ensures not only outstanding visual results but also optimal comfort during every stage of your journey.

Our patients consistently report that the procedure was far more comfortable than they expected — and that the benefits of clear, natural vision far outweigh the temporary sensations experienced during recovery.

The most important factor in ensuring a comfortable experience is choosing an experienced surgeon at an established eye centre with a proven track record.

At Centre for Sight, our consultants are pioneers in refractive surgery, with decades of combined experience performing LASIK, LASEK and other laser procedures. We take pride in providing world-class care, from consultation to aftercare, ensuring that every patient feels informed, supported, and at ease.

If you have questions or anxieties about the procedure, our team will take the time to explain everything clearly — so you’ll know exactly what to expect before, during, and after your treatment.

So, does laser eye surgery hurt?

In short — no. With numbing drops, advanced laser technology, and expert care, most patients experience no pain and only mild, temporary sensations such as dryness or grittiness during recovery.

By following your surgeon’s aftercare instructions and choosing a reputable eye centre like Centre for Sight, you can look forward to a smooth, comfortable experience and life-changing visual results.