Can I Take a Sedative Before my Laser Eye Surgery Procedure?
The anticipation of any kind of medical appointment can understandably be nerve-racking, to say the least. But when you’re waiting for a surgical procedure – on something as sensitive and precious as the eyes, no less! – the anxiety and fear can really ramp up. This might leave you wondering whether you should take something to ease the nerves. For example, can you take a sedative before your Laser Eye Surgery procedure?
What is the standard procedure before Laser Eye Surgery?
On the day of your surgery, you will be welcomed by our friendly clinic staff who will talk you through the procedure and be on hand to answer any questions you might have. You may be surprised to learn that you will be awake throughout the procedure but rest assured, there is nothing to worry about.
Of course, it is completely natural to feel a little nervous, but hopefully, our complementary chocolates and hot drinks will help to put you at ease. You are also welcome to bring a friend or family member with you to the clinic for support; however, for safety reasons, they will not be able to accompany you into the treatment room.
While you may think that being put to sleep would make the whole process a lot easier, it’s important to remember that general anaesthetic comes with its own risks – not to mention this could significantly increase the cost of your treatment. However, the main reason we don’t use general anaesthetic is much more straightforward: it simply isn’t necessary!
Instead, we opt for a different, more personal approach. In addition to being offered a relaxing head massage, your surgeon will also talk you through every step of your treatment. We like to call this verbal anaesthesia.
Will I be able to take a sedative before my treatment?
As our expert Laser Eye Surgeon, Mr Glenn Carp, explains in the video below, the procedure is usually completed within around 15 minutes. With reassurance from their surgeon and other clinic staff that the treatment will be fast and painless, many patients are therefore satisfied to go ahead without any further intervention.
Nonetheless, “we advise all patients before the treatment that, should they require something to relax them, it is available to them.” For patients who are particularly anxious about the procedure, oral relaxants are available and can be administered around half an hour before your treatment.
However, as you might expect, we advise you not to take any tranquillizers or sedatives before the procedure. You will need to be examined by your laser eye surgeon and be alert to go through the informed consent process before we can go ahead with your treatment.
Fear is your greatest obstacle
Fear is the most common reason people give for not going ahead with Laser Eye Surgery. So, if on the day of your treatment, you are still anxious, remember – you don’t have to keep it to yourself. Being as informed as possible about every step of the journey can be extremely helpful in dispelling any fears you may still have, and you can rest assured that we will always be on hand to answer any questions and concerns.
We find that it is generally pre-established ideas or notions that tend to scare people most when it comes to Laser Eye Surgery. For this reason, we are constantly striving to provide as much information as resources to both our patients and anyone who may be interested in this life-changing treatment.
Most patients are surprised to learn just how quick and painless Laser Eye Surgery really is. Within a matter of minutes, you may well notice an immediate improvement in your vision. With all this in mind, our patients often tell us how they wish they had put their fears aside and had their treatment sooner!
So, to sum up, it’s extremely rare for a patient to be so nervous that they need a tranquillizer or sedative during the procedure. However, there are always options available. We advise everyone who has such hesitations to not be controlled by it and reach out.
If you have any further questions about your treatment at London Vision Clinic, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators – we’re always on hand to help! Alternatively, Book a Consultation today to see if you could be suitable for Laser Eye Surgery.