Preparation
Measurements from your consultation are typically rechecked on the day and the laser is programmed with the lenticule's dimensions. Numbing drops are placed, the lashes and lids are cleaned, and you lie under the laser with a small holder keeping your eyelids open. If you are anxious, your surgeon can discuss options to help you relax.
The laser stage
A curved contact glass gently docks onto the eye and holds it steady; you see the fixation light and feel pressure. The femtosecond laser then scans in a set sequence: it defines the lower surface of the lenticule, then its upper surface, then the side cut of the small incision. This takes about 30 seconds, and there is no sound or smell of note. Your vision goes gray for a few seconds during the scan and returns as the glass is lifted.
Removing the lenticule
The surgeon opens the small incision with a fine instrument, separates the lenticule from the tissue above and below it, and draws it out. This takes a minute or two and is the part that requires the surgeon's hands. The incision needs no stitches; it seals on its own. The second eye is then treated.
The first 48 hours
Vision is hazy for the first few hours and typically clears noticeably by the next morning, when you are examined. Some grittiness and light sensitivity are normal on the first day. Drops are used for about a week. Most patients return to desk work within a day or two, and because there is no flap to protect, there are fewer restrictions overall than after LASIK. Vision continues to sharpen over a few weeks.
Is this right for your eyes?
Nothing on this page is a diagnosis. Whether this is the right choice for you is decided by a full examination at one of our 4 offices: Pasadena, Huntington Beach, Woodland Hills and Beverly Hills.
About this content: This page was written with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed for medical accuracy by Dr. Bavand Youssefzadeh, DO. It is general information, not medical advice, and does not replace an eye examination. Individual results vary. Read our medical disclaimer.
