Some people try to practice keeping their eyes open to get ready for laser eye surgery because they are concerned about blinking during laser eye surgery. The answer is simple: you cannot blink during laser eye surgery.
Don’t worry, a gentle lid holder, called an eye speculum, keeps your eyelids open, and it’s not uncomfortable during the laser eye surgery because anaesthetic drops numb the eye and reduce your desire to blink, also known as your natural blink reflex. Thanks to these safeguards, blinking is not something patients need to worry about during their procedure.
Practising keeping your eyes open is unnecessary and can make you feel more anxious. Most people can only keep their eyes open for a few seconds, so the idea of doing so for the full treatment of about five minutes per eye feels impossible.
How Blinking is Prevented in Laser Eye Surgery
The eye speculum is designed to hold the eyelids open gently and safely. It looks a bit strange in the eyes, but rest assured, because your eyes are numbed with anaesthetic drops, you don’t feel discomfort, nor the urge to blink. There is also no need for you to take sedatives, and the laser eye surgery is not performed under general anaesthetic. Instead, the procedure is quick, comfortable, and highly precise using numbing drops alone.
What Happens if Your Eyes Move During Laser Eye Surgery?
Modern laser systems are equipped with advanced eye-tracking features that monitor even the tiniest eye movements in real time. With the latest laser eye surgery technology, the laser adjusts instantly to maintain precision. If a significant movement occurs, the new laser eye surgery technology automatically pauses treatment and resumes seamlessly once the eye is steady.
This ensures accuracy and safety at every stage of the procedure.
At Laser Eye Surgery Birmingham, we combine advanced technology with expert care to give patients complete confidence in their treatment. Book a consultation today to learn how our surgeons and technology work together to prevent blinking or movement issues, ensuring a safe and comfortable experience. Or click here to find out more about what happens on the laser eye surgery day.
Credit: Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash
