Posted by: Caster Eye Center in lasik eye surgery

concept for how long does laser eye surgery take

If you are considering laser eye surgery, a commonly overlooked factor you should acknowledge and plan for is how long laser eye surgery takes. This can be a determining factor depending on your needs. The length of your procedure can vary depending on a few pertinent elements. The health of your eyes should be a priority, as your eyes are delicate. So, any procedure involving laser eye surgery should be approached with care. So, how long does laser eye surgery take?

Importance of Understanding Eye Surgery Duration

Part of approaching eye surgery with care is to understand the components surrounding the procedure including the duration. The length of the procedure is not important in itself, but to make important decisions, understanding how long you can expect to be in surgery is a key component. 

Aspects of laser eye surgery require that you have a responsible driver accompany you to and from your procedure. This is because it is likely you will undergo sedation for your treatment and because your vision will be blurry following the surgery. These aspects restrict your ability to drive safely, requiring a responsible driver. Knowing how long your laser eye surgery will take allows you to find appropriate transportation. 

In addition, having a general comprehension of how long you will be in surgery allows you to plan accordingly. You will need to plan your daily activities to suit your operation, this can take time and careful consideration of varying factors. Knowing how long you will be in surgery can also help alleviate any pre-operative anxiety. 

Common Types of Laser Eye Surgery 

Although there are other types of laser eye surgery, LASIK, PRK, and SMILE are the most common practices. Each type has its own technique, procedure, and recovery time. You and your eye surgeon will determine the best eye surgery technique to suit your needs. 

  • LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) alters the shape of your cornea permanently. This procedure is intended to reduce your dependence on glasses or contact lenses. This is typically an outpatient procedure. 
  • PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) treats problems caused by refractive errors or the way your eye bends light. Like LASIK, PRK is used to change the shape of your cornea and improve the way light focuses on your retina. 
  • SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction) is used to reshape your cornea to treat astigmatism and nearsightedness. This procedure is typically outpatient. 

Before Laser Eye Surgery

Prior to laser eye surgery, you will need to consult with a surgical physician to outline a potential treatment plan. Your medical team will gather information through medical history, tests, and assessments and use it to determine if your prospective treatment plan needs to be modified. You and your eye surgeon will move forward accordingly until a technique has been decided and proper processes and procedures have been followed. 

How Long Does Laser Eye Surgery Take?

The duration of each eye surgery can vary depending on your surgeon and any surrounding circumstances. The information provided is based on average. 

  • LASIK surgery itself lasts approximately 20 to 30 minutes, about 10 to 15 minutes per eye. The time between pre and postoperative procedures can last up to two hours. It is always advised to plan that the procedure will take the maximum time indicated. 
  • PRK only requires an average of 10 to 15 minutes to correct both eyes. The entirety of the process can consist of about an hour’s time. 
  • SMILE consists of the laser to be used for only about 30 seconds. From start to finish, the procedure takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes per eye. This makes for a total duration of approximately 20 to 30 minutes, with a total clinic time of around 2 hours. 

Planning for Laser Eye Surgery

A key determining component of the success of laser eye surgery is proper preparation. Part of that is planning for the duration relating to factors surrounding your operation. It is highly advised that you have a responsible adult accompany you on surgery day, as well as have a responsible driver available to take you to and from your procedure. Your medical team will provide you with any information you need to know about your laser eye surgery and are available to answer any questions every step of the way. 

Consult with an experienced eye surgeon to start planning for your laser eye surgery. 

Reference:

Boyd, K. (2024). What Is Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)?

FDA. (2022). LASIK. 

Mayo Clinic. (2023). SMILE Eye Surgery.