How Long Does Laser Eye Surgery Take?

We are often asked by patients, ‘how long does laser eye surgery take?’. Laser eye surgery is a quick procedure, it can range from a few seconds to two minutes. The length of the procedure will depend on the complexity of your prescription.

Suitability Examination and Surgery

The first step is a suitability exam, which involves the patient meeting with the laser eye surgeon. The surgeon will discuss past and present medical conditions, to determine the patients suitability for laser eye surgery. The surgeon will also discuss the benefits and risks of the procedure, and will explain what you should expect before, during and after the surgery. If the patient is deemed suitable for surgery and is happy to go ahead with the procedure, the date and time of the surgery will be arranged.

The entire procedure lasts no more than 30 minutes. This includes prep time before the surgery and rest time after the surgery. The surgery itself lasts only a few minutes. Patients may experience blurry vision immediately after the surgery, and this blurred vision lasts 3-4 hours.

Aftercare

The first post-op eye exam will occur after the surgery, and once the consultant confirms that the surgery has been successful, the patient is allowed to go home. It is recommended that the patient relaxes for the day and does not engage in strenuous activities. The immediate recovery period for laser eye surgery varies by patient, but generally it is 6-12 hours. The majority of patients see clearly within 24 hours.

The day after the laser eye surgery, the patient will return to meet with the laser eye surgeon. The surgeon will assess how the patient is healing. Most patients are cleared by the surgeon to return to work and driving after this first aftercare visit. Although the patient will be permitted to work, it is recommended that the patient takes a few additional days off to rest. Patients should avoid engaging in strenuous exercise and avoid wearing eye makeup for the week following the surgery, as it can interfere with the healing process. The surgeon will prescribe the patient various eye drops that should be used for a few weeks after the surgery. These eye drops will speed up the healing process, fight any potential infection, and combat dry eye syndrome.

How long does laser eye surgery take? The surgery itself is extremely fast. The healing time for laser eye surgery is different for every patient. Most patients will have blurry vision for less than 24 hours. After the first post-op visit, the majority of patients are cleared to return to work and are permitted to drive again. The length of the entire process depends on how soon after your initial consultation you have the surgery. Generally, patients can return to normal life after a few weeks. However, this can vary based on how well the patient heals.

If you are unsure about the procedure or have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us by calling now on 01-280 9248.

We also offer a complimentary video or phone consultation with Mr Fenton, our senior laser eye surgeon. During this consultation you can ask him any questions you may have, about suitability, risks, outcomes, or discuss any concerns you may have about laser eye surgery.

Fill in the form on the footer of this page and we will call you back to arrange a convenient time or use our Self-Service Booking System to schedule your complimentary consultation.