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What to Expect During Laser Eye Surgery
It’s very common to feel more nervous about the experience of laser eye surgery than the result itself. Many people understand the idea of correcting their vision, but still wonder what the procedure will actually feel like once they’re in the treatment room.
Written by
OCL Vision Medical Team
Published: 02 July 2026
✓ Medically Reviewed by Mr Emil Kurniawan ,Cataracts, Corneal and Refractive Surgery
Specialist areas: Corneal, Laser Vision Correction, Lens Replacement Surgery, Cataracts, Implantable Collamer Lens
Last Reviewed: 02 July 2026
Before your laser eye surgery appointment
What happens when you arrive at the clinic
What happens in the operating room?
Are you awake during laser eye surgery?
What will you notice during laser eye surgery?
What if you blink or move your eye?
How long does laser eye surgery take?
What happens straight after laser eye surgery?
What do the first few hours after laser eye surgery feel like?
Laser eye surgery FAQs
Next steps
Questions about blinking or moving your eye can often be a source of anxiety. Many people also worry about staying calm while awake during the procedure or feel unsure about what they will actually see once treatment begins.
The reality is usually far more controlled than people expect. Modern laser eye surgery is designed around rigorous planning, and continuous guidance from your surgeon throughout treatment. Advanced tracking systems monitor tiny eye movements while the laser is working. Your eyes are numbed using anaesthetic drops, so although you may still notice pressure, lights, or movement around you, the procedure itself is not typically described as painful.
This guide explains what happens before, during, and immediately after laser eye surgery, including what you may notice during the procedure and the first few hours of recovery.
Before your laser eye surgery appointment
Most laser eye surgery appointments involve some preparation before the day itself. You’ll usually be given instructions in advance, as things like contact lenses and eye products can affect your measurements before treatment and recovery.
If you wear contact lenses, you’ll normally need to stop wearing them for a period before surgery. Contact lenses can temporarily change the shape of your cornea, which may affect the accuracy of the scans and measurements used to plan treatment. The exact timing varies depending on the type of lenses you wear, so your clinic will explain how long you should leave them out beforehand.
You’ll also be advised not to wear eye makeup or creams around the eyes on the day of treatment. Many clinics also ask you to avoid perfume and aftershave beforehand. This helps keep the treatment environment around the laser clean and controlled.
Most people are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and eat normally before arriving unless they’ve been told otherwise. You should also arrange for somebody to take you home afterwards. Your vision is often blurry and light-sensitive immediately after treatment, which means you won’t be able to drive yourself home safely or use public transport by yourself.
It can also be helpful to bring sunglasses with you. Bright outdoor light can feel uncomfortable during the first few hours after surgery, particularly during the journey home.
You may also want to prepare a few practical things at home beforehand, such as lubricating eye drops and a comfortable place to rest afterwards. Small preparations like these can make the first evening after treatment feel much more manageable.
What happens when you arrive at the clinic
Laser eye surgery appointments are often more routine than many people expect. After checking in at reception, you’ll normally spend some time in the waiting area before the pre-treatment stages begin.
Before treatment takes place, your eyes will be checked again to confirm that your prescription and measurements still match the treatment plan created during your assessment. Depending on the clinic and procedure, this may involve repeat scans or additional vision checks before surgery begins.
You’ll likely meet your surgeon again before treatment starts. This gives you the opportunity to ask any final questions and talk through the procedure itself before moving into the laser treatment room.
Final checks are still carried out before treatment begins, and there is usually a short recovery period afterwards before you go home.
By the time you enter the treatment room, most of the important planning and measurements have already been completed. The surgery itself is only one part of a much longer process designed to keep treatment accurate, controlled, and carefully checked throughout.
What happens in the operating room?
The laser treatment room is much quieter and calmer than many people expect. Rather than looking like a large operating theatre, the room is often centred around the laser system itself, with your surgeon and clinical team positioned closely beside you throughout treatment.
When it is time for the procedure to begin, you’ll normally be asked to lie flat on a treatment bed underneath the laser machine. The bed is adjusted carefully so your head and eyes are aligned with the laser before treatment starts.
Bright lights from the laser system are positioned above you during treatment, including the fixation light you’ll be asked to look towards for parts of the procedure. The laser equipment itself sits very close to your eye once treatment begins.
Before treatment starts, anaesthetic drops are used to numb the surface of your eye. A small device is then used to keep the eyelids gently open so you do not need to worry about blinking during surgery.
Are you awake during laser eye surgery?
Yes. You stay awake throughout laser eye surgery, but the experience is usually much calmer and more comfortable than many people expect beforehand.
During treatment, you’ll be given simple instructions about where to look and when different stages start.
Modern laser systems are also designed with multiple safeguards built around the patient. A small lid holder helps keep the eye open during treatment, while tracking systems monitor tiny eye movements as the laser works.
What will you notice during laser eye surgery?
A lot of the concerns around laser eye surgery come from not knowing what the experience will actually feel like once treatment begins. Although the exact experience varies slightly between procedures, there are some common sensations and changes in vision.
What you may see
You’ll be asked to look towards a bright light above you, often called a fixation light, during your treatment. Looking towards the light helps keep your gaze steady during parts of the procedure.
Your vision won’t stay perfectly clear throughout surgery. At some points during treatment, vision may become temporarily blurred or slightly dimmer for a few seconds, depending on the procedure being performed. During LASIK in particular, you may notice your vision briefly becoming darker or more cloudy for a few seconds while pressure is applied to the eye.
Bright lights and temporary blur can limit how much you can see clearly during laser eye surgery. Even though the laser equipment and instruments are positioned close to your eye, you are unlikely to watch the procedure itself in detail.
Surgeon Insight
"It can be quite unnerving to feel the pressure and have the vision dim at the same time. Explaining ahead of time that this is a normal part of the procedure definitely helps - when patients already anticipate it, they are less apprehensive when it happens. I always count down the seconds so they know exactly when the dimmed vision will return. The other sensation I always flag is the loud noise and smell during the vision correction part of the laser, which typically lasts seconds."
What you may hear
The room is fairly quiet, although you’ll still hear the laser system operating and your clinical team speaking throughout the procedure. Depending on the technology being used, there may also be clicking sounds or soft mechanical noises during treatment.
What you may feel
The most common sensation during surgery is pressure around the eye rather than pain itself. Some people describe it as feeling similar to somebody gently pressing around the eye area or a firm pushing sensation for a few seconds while treatment is being carried out. Afterwards, it’s also common for the eyes to water or feel mildly irritated for a short time.
The sensations can feel unfamiliar because you remain aware of pressure and movement around the eye during treatment. Anaesthetic drops numb the surface of the eye beforehand, which helps reduce the sharp pain many people worry about before surgery.
What if you blink or move your eye?
Laser eye surgery is designed to assume that your eye will still make tiny natural movements during treatment. It can be a relief to know that you don’t have to try to keep it perfectly still when it’s out of your control.
Before the procedure begins, a small device called a speculum is used to hold the eyelids gently open. This prevents blinking during the laser treatment itself and means you don’t need to actively concentrate on keeping your eye open once surgery begins.
If the eye moves too far away from the planned treatment area, the laser system can pause automatically until the eye is repositioned correctly.
How long does laser eye surgery take?
The laser treatment itself is relatively quick and generally only takes a matter of minutes per eye.
LASIK treatment typically takes around 10 minutes in total. SmartSight treatment is usually even shorter, often taking around 4-5 minutes per eye. Surface treatments such as LASEK are also relatively quick procedures themselves and often take around 10 minutes for both eyes. The laser is only active for part of that time.
Before surgery begins, final measurements and safety checks are carried out again. After the procedure, your vision will be checked again before you leave the clinic and head home with someone accompanying you.
What happens straight after laser eye surgery?
Immediately after treatment, your vision is usually blurry or hazy rather than instantly sharp. Bright light can also feel uncomfortable during the first few hours, which is why many people prefer wearing sunglasses on the journey home.
Before you leave the clinic, your eyes are normally checked again and you’ll be given instructions about your eye drops and early recovery. You’ll also need somebody to accompany you home afterwards because you won’t be able to drive safely straight after treatment.
Recovery can vary slightly depending on the procedure performed. Vision after LASIK often clears quite quickly, while LASEK and other surface treatments usually take longer to settle during the early healing stage.
You can read more about the recovery process in our guide to laser eye surgery recovery and aftercare.
What do the first few hours after laser eye surgery feel like?
During the first few hours afterwards, your eyes may water heavily, and it might feel uncomfortable to keep them open for long periods. Burning, grittiness, and irritation can also become more noticeable as the anaesthetic drops wear off. Surface treatments such as LASEK often feel more uncomfortable during this stage because the surface layer of the cornea needs time to heal.
Many people sleep for a few hours because their eyes often feel more comfortable closed during the early part of recovery.
Your clinic will also explain which symptoms are expected during the early stage of healing and which changes are worth contacting them about. Increasing pain, a noticeable drop in vision, or marked redness are all reasons to seek advice promptly.
Laser eye surgery FAQs
Will I smell anything during laser eye surgery?
Some people notice a faint smell during parts of laser eye surgery, particularly during LASIK or LASEK treatment. This happens when the laser reshapes corneal tissue and is often described as a brief warm or slightly burning smell. It often lasts only a few seconds.
Can both eyes be treated on the same day?
Yes. Laser eye surgery is normally performed on both eyes during the same appointment. The procedures are carried out one eye at a time, with checks and positioning repeated separately for each eye.
Will I need to keep using eye drops afterwards?
Yes. Eye drops are an important part of recovery after laser eye surgery and help support healing during the first stage of recovery. Your clinic will explain how often to use them and how long you’ll normally need them for.
When can I use screens afterwards?
Most people can use screens again quite soon after laser eye surgery, although vision may still feel blurry, watery, or light-sensitive during the first few hours. It’s usually more comfortable to keep screen use fairly limited on the day of treatment while your eyes begin recovering.
When can I drive again?
You should not drive yourself home after laser eye surgery. Driving afterwards depends on how quickly your vision recovers and whether you meet the legal driving standard again. Many people return to driving within a few days after LASIK, although this is often longer after LASEK and other surface treatments. Your surgeon will advise you when it is safe to drive again.
Next steps
Laser eye surgery usually feels much more manageable once you understand how the procedure works and what recovery is realistically like. Although every procedure is slightly different, modern laser eye surgery is built around detailed measurements and personalised treatment planning.
If you’re still deciding whether laser eye surgery feels right for you, the next step is usually a consultation and detailed assessment. Your surgeon will examine your eyes carefully, discuss which procedures may be suitable, and talk through the type of outcome that may be possible based on your prescription and eye health.
At OCL Vision, consultations are led by experienced consultant eye surgeons using detailed diagnostic testing and personalised treatment planning. The aim is to give you realistic guidance about your options, answer any remaining concerns clearly, and help you decide whether laser eye surgery is the right choice for you.
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