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On the day of my laser eye surgery, I arrived at the clinic feeling excited but also nervous. I had researched LASIK, LASEK and SMILE procedures, but nothing compares to living it yourself. Thankfully, the staff understood my anxiety and did everything to make me feel calm and confident.
Before the surgery
I checked in and was warmly welcomed by the team. They took my blood pressure and pulse – a bit elevated due to nerves, which they said was completely normal. I was offered a mild sedative, which helped me relax. In the days before surgery, I had followed all instructions: no contact lenses, no makeup, and I brought sunglasses for after the procedure.
Before entering the laser room, my surgeon reassured me and explained the process again. Regardless of the chosen method – LASIK, LASEK/PRK or SMILE – the goal is to reshape the cornea with a laser. He told me that the experience from the patient’s perspective is very similar, which eased my concerns.
During the procedure
Inside the laser suite, I lay on a reclining bed. A nurse applied numbing drops – after the first sting, my eyes went completely numb. They used a light device to keep my eyes open, which was surprisingly comfortable. I focused on a blinking fixation light while the advanced eye-tracking system ensured precision.
The LASIK procedure began with creating a flap on my cornea. I felt some pressure from the suction ring, and my vision dimmed for about 20 seconds – not painful, just strange. Then the laser corrected my vision. It lasted only seconds, with a soft tapping sound and a faint smell, like burnt hair – all completely normal. The surgeon carefully repositioned the flap, and I was done with one eye. We repeated the same steps on the other.
After the surgery
I was moved to a recovery area, where I was given tea and post-op instructions. My eyes watered and felt gritty as the numbing drops wore off, but the discomfort was mild. My vision was hazy, like looking through steam, but I could already tell it had improved.
I wore plastic shields over my eyes to prevent rubbing and went home to rest. That evening, I kept my eyes closed and listened to music. I took ibuprofen just in case, but I didn’t experience any pain.
The next day
The next morning, I woke up and could read the clock without glasses – a truly emotional moment. At my follow-up, I could already see nearly 20/20. I was cleared to drive and even return to work.
Key takeaways for all laser eye surgery patients
Final thoughts
This journey has been life-changing. The surgery was faster and more comfortable than I imagined. With the right team and preparation, the process can be smooth and reassuring. If you’re considering laser eye surgery, know that you're not alone. Thousands of patients, like me, come out the other side wondering why we didn’t do it sooner.