Things to Remember if You’re Nervous About Laser Eye Surgery

So, you’ve made the tough decision to go ahead with Laser Eye Surgery. You may be excited about the prospect of your new and clear vision following the procedure, but in the meantime, you’ve been feeling a little nervous about your treatment. Don’t worry – this is completely normal and to be expected with any surgical procedure. But we’re here to put your mind at ease as much as possible.

A good clinic should always be on hand to answer any questions you may have regarding your treatment. Being as informed as possible when heading into Laser Eye Surgery is the best way to put those nerves to rest and get excited about your treatment. Of course, having friendly and knowledgeable clinic staff who are happy to help at every step of the process is helpful too!

With that in mind, we’re going to walk you through all the things you need to know when awaiting Laser Eye Surgery and, more importantly, explain why there is no need to be worried. So, let’s start by addressing the most common concerns about Laser Eye Surgery.

Laser Eye Surgery is a pain-free procedure

Perhaps the biggest fear that many patients have when heading into surgery is that they will experience pain. This is a completely legitimate fear, especially considering that you will be awake during the procedure. But fear not – Laser Eye Surgery is virtually painless.

We use local anaesthetic to numb the treatment area before going ahead. This ensures that you feel no pain, although you will feel some pressure and a “pulling” sensation in the eye. But don’t worry – it will be over before you know it; which brings us to our next point.

The procedure will be over in minutes

If, after reading this article, you are still concerned, just remember: the procedure will only last for a few minutes. In fact, most patients are surprised at how fast Laser Eye Surgery can be. In most cases, your treatment will have been completed treating your first eye in around the same time it takes to make a cup of tea!

Thanks to our comprehensive screening process and state-of-the-art technology, we are able to plan your treatment in minute detail. This means that you will be in and out of the operating theatre and enjoying your new vision before you know it.

Your surgeon will keep you informed through the whole process

At London Vision Clinic, we employ a tactic that we like to call “verbal anaesthesia” – and we have found it to be quite effective! This simply means that your surgeon will make sure you know what to expect at every tiny step during your treatment. We find that patients are better able to process the procedure when they know there aren’t going to be any surprises!

Our patients often report how nice this is as they can hear the reassuring calm and control of the surgeon’s voice.

It doesn’t matter if you move your eyes during the procedure

Despite being around for almost four decades – and being the most popular elective procedure in the world – there remains a lot of misinformation around Laser Eye Surgery. Thanks to the popularity of sci-fi and spy films, lasers are still thought of as red-hot burning beams. For this reason, you may be concerned that moving in any way during your surgery could be catastrophic. But this couldn’t be further from the truth.

In reality, the lasers used in refractive surgery are not hot. They work by breaking carbon bonds, allowing your surgeon to remove tissue from the cornea. More importantly, though, state-of-the-art eye-tracking technology instantaneously compensates for any movements during the treatment. So, you can move your eyes as much as you like!

Complications are extremely rare – especially if you choose a good clinic

A fear of things going wrong is to be expected when anticipating any kind of surgery. However, you should remember that Laser Eye Surgery is an extremely safe procedure and the risk of serious complications is very small – especially if you choose a clinic with experienced surgeons and access to the latest technology.

It is estimated that there is approximately a 0.1% chance of any minor visual complication arising from Laser Eye Surgery. Even if this occurs, an expert surgeon is usually able to correct many of these issues immediately. To put this into context, research indicates that Laser Eye Surgery is associated with fewer risks than wearing contact lenses!

Nonetheless, it is important to be aware of the potential side effects and risks associated with Laser Eye Surgery. Your surgeon will discuss these with you during your consultation appointment.

Still Nervous?

As you can see, when it comes to Laser Eye Surgery, there really is no need to be overly concerned. While a few nerves are completely normal (and can even add to the excitement of your upcoming treatment), don’t let them stop you from going ahead with the best decision of your life.

Just take a look at what some of our past patients had to say about their treatment at London Vision Clinic:

All the staff at the Clinic were friendly, professional and reassuring. The pre, during and aftercare was truly excellent too. I have no hesitation in recommending Dr. Dan Reinstein and his team, I wish I’d done it sooner.

– Ruth (2024)

From the start, the team of surgeons and clinicians were very professional, diligent and attentive and made me feel at ease with their detailed and objective answers to my queries.

– Chris (2024)

The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. My surgery was performed by Glenn who is the nicest man you could ever hope to meet, he really put me at ease during the surgery. I wish I had done it sooner.

– Lucy (2023)

If you’re still concerned or nervous about your upcoming Laser Eye Surgery treatment, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators – we’re always on hand to help! Still considering Laser Eye Surgery? Book a Consultation today.