Can You Blink During LASIK?

What Happens If You Blink or Sneeze During LASIK Surgery?

A common query among potential LASIK patients persists,i.e., whether the outcome of the surgery will be affected if they accidentally move or blink their eyes during the procedure. This concern is understandable as a patient stays awake during laser eye surgery. However, with advanced medical technologies, surgeons are able to keep their eyes steady, which ensures optimal results. 

Realising the Effect of Blinking During LASIK

Some involuntary eye movements during the surgery will not cause any problems. Additionally, any movement outside the laser's tracking range will automatically result in a halt of the procedure. 

During the surgery, your ophthalmologist will cover one eye and ask you to look towards a red or green flashing light with the eye that needs to be corrected for vision. Before starting, they will use anaesthetic eye drops to bring in a calming sensation so the patient does not have the urge to blink. 

Next, your eyelashes will be taped away using special adhesive drapes, and a gentle retainer will hold the eyelids open. Therefore, if a patient is still urged to blink, it will not cause any problems. 

What Happens If You Sneeze During LASIK?

One must realise that LASIK surgeries are routine tasks for eye specialists and last for very short durations. The entire procedure takes around 20 minutes, but the actual laser application to your eyes lasts only a few seconds. Most of the time is spent on preparation and precise planning. Since the laser is active for such a short duration, the chances of sneezing during that critical moment are extremely low and unlikely to affect the outcome. 

Lasers used in the surgery are accompanied by advanced eye-tracking systems that detect eye movements with the utmost precision. The system continuously monitors your eye movements and immediately pauses the laser if it detects any movement outside the safe tracking range, ensuring precision and safety during the procedure. 

Can Still Someone Move Their Eyes During the LASIK Surgery? 

Once doctors open the eyelids, they ask the patient to put their best effort into focusing on the fixation lights of the lasers. When humans blink, their eyes automatically roll upward, which naturally protects our eyes. However, surgeons must adjust for this phenomenon during the surgery, as natural eye movements can shift the operative area away from the fixation light’s intended focus. 

Fortunately, modern laser eye surgery uses eye-tracking technology, eliminating the movement issue. The laser spots will efficiently track your eye's upward movement. Accordingly, moving too far upward will cease laser pulses until the fixation light is revisited. Thus, a patient does not need to worry about eye movements during the surgery. 

Also Read:

→ Are There LASIK Side Effects

→ How Long After LASIK Can I See

→ Does LASIK Permanently Fix Eyes

→ Is LASIK Surgery Very Painful