What happens if you don't look into the laser during a laser eye procedure?

22. January 2016

Whilst the LASIK eye surgery corrects eyesight with a cut, the Flow procedure is completely non-contact. The entire procedure is performed using a laser. A very typical question is: "What happens if I don’t look into that green laser?"

Nothing, is the short answer. Dr Ants Haavel, the eye surgeon at KSA Vision Clinic, mentions that it is one of the most commonly asked questions. He explains that prior to the procedure the laser identifies the eye’s location and controls its movement 1050 times per second. "In other words, the laser has already "caught the eye", and if the eye moves during the operation, the laser simply follows its movements," reassures Dr Haavel.

Another concern for patients undergoing laser eye procedures is that they might blink their eyes at the "wrong times". Whether the method used is Flow, LASIK or any other, blinking eyes during the operation is not recommended as that hinders the laser’s performance.

As per Dr Haavel, that has been taken into account at KSA Vision Clinic. "A speculum is used to keep the eyes open during the procedure – one less thing for our patients to worry about, whilst in the good care of our professional staff."

However, some people still feel as if their eyes are blinking during the operation. "That is a normal feeling. We also use numbing eye drops which can cause a blinking-like sensation, even if in fact that is not happening," explains Dr Haavel.
In a nutshell, the advanced eye-tracking technology enables patients to undergo the laser procedure feeling at ease without any pressure.