Quick Answer
LASIK does not hurt during the procedure. Anesthetic eye drops eliminate pain, though patients feel pressure during flap creation and may experience mild anxiety. In the first 4–6 hours after surgery, burning, stinging, tearing, and light sensitivity are common and normal. Most discomfort resolves within 24 hours. A small percentage of patients experience dry eye-related irritation for weeks to months post-operatively.
Detailed Explanation
Pain is among the most common concerns patients raise before LASIK — and it is also among the least justified. Understanding what you will actually experience, separated from what you imagine, makes the procedure significantly less intimidating.
During the procedure: pressure, not pain
LASIK uses topical anesthetic eye drops — not injections, not general anesthesia. These drops numb the surface of the eye thoroughly within 60 seconds of application. Once they take effect, you will not feel the laser.
What you will feel:
- Eyelid speculum placement: A small device holds your eye open. This is mildly uncomfortable but not painful. Most patients describe it as “weird” rather than unpleasant.
- Suction ring pressure (flap creation): During femtosecond laser flap creation, a suction ring is applied to your eye. You will feel firm pressure and your vision will briefly go dark or hazy. This lasts 15–30 seconds. It is startling if you are not prepared for it — but it is not painful.
- Excimer laser treatment: You will hear a clicking sound and smell something faintly like burning hair (this is normal — it is the laser removing corneal tissue). The laser portion typically lasts 20–60 seconds per eye depending on your prescription. There is no pain.
Total time in the laser suite is typically 15–20 minutes for both eyes.
Immediately after: the first few hours
As the anesthetic wears off — usually within 30–60 minutes — you may experience:
- Burning or stinging sensation
- Watering or tearing
- Light sensitivity (photophobia)
- A feeling of something in your eye (foreign body sensation)
- Blurry, hazy vision
This window is the most uncomfortable part of the LASIK experience for most patients. The standard protocol is to go home, take a mild over-the-counter pain reliever if needed, use the prescribed lubricating drops, and sleep. Sleep is the most effective intervention — most patients wake up with dramatically reduced discomfort and noticeably improved vision.
The first 24–72 hours
By the morning after surgery, the majority of patients report minimal discomfort. Vision continues to improve over the first week as the corneal epithelium heals and swelling resolves. Some light sensitivity and fluctuating vision are normal during this window.
Prescribed medications during this period typically include antibiotic drops (to prevent infection), anti-inflammatory drops (to manage healing response), and preservative-free artificial tears (to support tear film and manage dryness).
Dry eye: the most persistent source of discomfort
LASIK transiently reduces corneal nerve density, which can reduce the eye’s ability to sense when it needs tears. This produces dry eye symptoms — a gritty, irritated, burning feeling — that affects 20–55% of patients in the weeks to months after surgery. For most, this resolves within 3–6 months. For a smaller percentage, it persists longer and requires more active management.
The LASIK Surgery Awards evaluation criteria include assessment of how practices screen for pre-existing dry eye disease, since patients with significant pre-operative dry eye are at higher risk for prolonged post-operative dryness and discomfort.
Important Considerations
Anxiety amplifies discomfort perception. Patients who are highly anxious before the procedure consistently report more discomfort than those who are calm — even though the objective procedure is identical. If you have high procedural anxiety, discuss this with your surgeon. Some practices offer a low-dose oral sedative (typically diazepam) for anxious patients.
Do not rub your eyes after LASIK. This is the most important post-operative restriction. Rubbing the eye in the first days to weeks can displace the corneal flap. If your eyes feel irritated, use lubricating drops instead of touching them. Eye shields worn during sleep reduce the risk of accidental rubbing overnight.
PRK has a longer, more uncomfortable recovery. If your surgeon recommends PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) over LASIK — common when corneal thickness is marginal — you should expect 3–5 days of more significant discomfort while the epithelium regrows. PRK outcomes are equivalent to LASIK over time, but the recovery experience is meaningfully different.
SMILE surgery offers a comparable pain profile to LASIK with potentially less dry eye in the first months, due to a smaller corneal incision. Discuss whether you are a candidate if dry eye is a significant concern.
What to Do Next
1. Tell your surgeon about your anxiety level honestly. They can tailor your pre-op preparation and discuss sedation options if appropriate. 2. Stock your recovery supplies in advance: preservative-free artificial tears, a dark sleeping mask, eye shields, and a few good audiobooks or podcasts for the day of surgery when screen time should be limited. 3. Plan to be driven home and to rest for the remainder of the day. Do not schedule anything demanding for 24 hours post-procedure.
For a full timeline of what to expect before, during, and after surgery, read How to Prepare for LASIK Surgery.
Related Questions
Want to know exactly how long the procedure and recovery take? See How Long Does LASIK Surgery Take? for a full timeline.
Concerned about side effects beyond the immediate recovery period? Read What Are the Side Effects of LASIK? for a complete breakdown.
Wondering when you can resume normal activities like driving? See How Soon Can I Drive After LASIK? for specific guidance on post-operative activity timelines.