{"id":8839,"date":"2020-09-10T09:14:59","date_gmt":"2020-09-10T07:14:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/blog\/laser-anxiety-during-laser-vision-correction-i-will-be-conscious-and-aware-of-what-is-happening-to-me-at-all-times\/"},"modified":"2026-09-19T10:04:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-19T08:04:00","slug":"laser-anxiety-during-laser-vision-correction-i-will-be-conscious-and-aware-of-what-is-happening-to-me-at-all-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/en\/blog\/laser-anxiety-during-laser-vision-correction-i-will-be-conscious-and-aware-of-what-is-happening-to-me-at-all-times\/","title":{"rendered":"Fears about Laser Eye Surgery. I Will Be Awake and Aware of What Is Happening During the Procedure"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Raise your hand if you’re afraid of eye surgery! It’s completely normal. When you think about laser eye surgery, you envision: lying down, fully conscious<\/strong>, and feeling the doctor working on your eye. Plus, there’s the stress: ‘What if I flinch, sneeze, or it hurts?’<\/strong> At Swisslaser Clinics, we know these fears are real, but we need to clarify something: they are nothing to be afraid of. Laser eye surgery is painless, fast<\/strong>, and your consciousness during the procedure? That’s our ally! We’ll show you why you can relax and trust the technology.<\/p>\n\n

What will you learn from the text below?<\/h2>\n\n
    \n
  • Do I have to be fully awake during the surgery?<\/strong> Yes, the procedure is performed under local anesthesia. You will be conscious but relaxed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Isn’t this too much of a strain on the body?<\/strong> No, general anesthesia is unnecessary and only burdens the body needlessly. Anesthetic drops are fully sufficient.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • What happens if I move my eye during the procedure?<\/strong> Don’t worry \u2013 modern lasers have eye-tracking systems (Eye Tracker 7D<\/strong>) that control everything for you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Does laser surgery hurt?<\/strong> Not at all! No vision correction method will cause pain during the procedure itself.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • How long does discomfort last after the procedure?<\/strong> It depends on the method, but the worst usually passes after a few hours<\/strong> or a maximum of 3-4 days.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

    Laser Fears: Consciousness and Pain During the Procedure<\/h2>\n\n

    Why are patients afraid of being fully conscious?<\/h3>\n\n

    When you hear “surgery,” you think “anesthesia,” right? The fear of being awake<\/strong> during an eye procedure is common. Add to that fears of a ‘burning’ laser from action movies, and there you have it! It’s time to demystify this. Laser eye surgery is so safe and precise that what seems scary to you is actually the healthiest option!<\/p>\n\n

    General vs. Local Anesthesia: Unnecessary Burden on the Body<\/h3>\n\n

    Why don’t you receive general anesthesia? Because it’s simply unnecessary<\/strong>! Frankly, there’s no point in burdening your body with general anesthesia for such a quick and minimally invasive procedure. We perform laser correction under local anesthesia<\/strong> \u2013 it’s just a few drops<\/strong> in the eye. They act like a magic potion that turns off the pain but doesn’t turn you off.<\/p>\n\n

    Painless and Safe Reality<\/h2>\n\n

    Laser Eye Surgery: A Painless and Extremely Fast Procedure<\/h3>\n\n

    Once again, clearly: it doesn’t hurt!<\/strong> None of the methods we use cause pain during<\/strong> the surgery. And you know what? It’s incredibly fast!<\/strong> We count minutes, not hours. Typically, the laser operates for a few to a dozen minutes<\/strong>. Preparations take longer than the actual procedure!<\/p>\n\n

    Eye Tracker 6D\/7D System: Technology Eliminating the Fear of Eye Movement<\/h3>\n\n

    This is probably the biggest fear<\/strong>. What if I move? What if I sneeze? Forget about it! Our lasers are intelligent. We’ve equipped them with eye-tracking systems, such as Eye Tracker 7D<\/strong>, which are faster than your reaction. If you flinch, the system will detect it and immediately correct the beam. Simply put: the technology controls the situation<\/strong>, not you.<\/p>\n\n

    \n

    \u201cI often tell patients: Please don’t be afraid, the technology is working for you<\/em>. Our tracking systems are so precise that they neutralize even fractions of a millimeter. It is the Eye Tracker that ensures the patient doesn’t have to worry about movement. This gives us confidence that the procedure is always perfect, even in cases where the patient has nystagmus<\/em>\u201d \u2013 explains Dr. Victor Derhartunian<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

    Speculum and Stabilization: How We Prevent Blinking and Manage Nystagmus?<\/h3>\n\n

    And what about blinking? It’s simply impossible!<\/strong> We gently place a speculum<\/strong> on the eye, which holds the eyelids open. Thanks to these safeguards \u2013 and the tracker \u2013 we can operate calmly. Nystagmus, cough, sneeze? The laser will stop, we calm you down, and then we continue. No stress.<\/p>\n\n

    Post-Procedure Sensations and the Surgeon’s Role<\/h2>\n\n

    How long does the entire procedure take? (Procedure from a few to a dozen minutes)<\/h3>\n\n

    Remember: the surgery lasts from a few to a dozen minutes<\/strong>. That’s shorter than a phone call with a consultant!<\/p>\n\n

    Fear of Pain: The Actual Duration of Post-Surgery Discomfort (3-4 hours vs. 3-4 days)<\/h3>\n\n

    Pain during<\/strong> is a myth, but post-surgery discomfort<\/strong> is real. How long does it last?<\/p>\n\n

      \n
    • For deep methods (e.g., LASIK), it’s usually 3-4 hours<\/strong> of a sandy sensation under the eyelids.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • For surface methods (PRK\/LASEK), you should expect discomfort lasting up to 3-4 days<\/strong>. But don’t worry, we’ll give you medication to alleviate it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

      Surgeon in Contact: Why Consciousness During the Procedure Is an Asset, Not a Risk?<\/h3>\n\n

      The fact that you are awake is a huge plus<\/strong> for us! Your surgeon talks<\/strong> to you the entire time. They explain what is happening, what sounds you will hear, what you will feel. There is no silence, no unknowns. This builds a sense of control<\/strong> and security.<\/p>\n\n

      Case Study and Patient Testimonial:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

      \n

      Mr. Tomek (35), a programmer, admitted to us that the thought of being ‘awake’ paralyzed him. After the procedure, he said: \u201cSurprise! My biggest fear turned out to be the best part. My doctor talked to me non-stop: Now you will hear a whirring sound<\/em>, Just 10 more seconds<\/em>. It was like listening to a podcast! I felt I had control over the situation. That fear disappeared after 30 seconds of surgery. I recommend it to anyone who is afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

      FAQ \u2013 Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n

      1. Are anesthetic drops sufficient?<\/strong> Yes! This is not open-heart surgery. It’s enough to anesthetize the surface of the eye. The drops work reliably.<\/p>\n\n

      2. What happens if I cough or sneeze?<\/strong> Nothing bad. The motion tracking system immediately detects a large movement and automatically stops the laser<\/strong>. We take a deep breath and continue.<\/p>\n\n

      3. Can I blink right before the procedure?<\/strong> Blink as much as you like before you lie down on the table! When we start, we apply a small speculum<\/strong> to gently hold your eyelids. This prevents blinking.<\/p>\n\n

      4. Will I see normally immediately after the surgery?<\/strong> You will see much better, but initially, the image may be slightly blurry. You will achieve the best sharpness within a few days.<\/p>\n\n

      5. Is laser treatment possible if I have nystagmus?<\/strong> Yes. Thanks to Eye Tracker<\/strong> systems, which immediately compensate for involuntary movements, we can safely perform the procedure even in cases of nystagmus.<\/p>\n\n

      We are here to listen to your fears and debunk them! Would you like to discuss now which correction method would be best for you?<\/p>\n\n

      \n