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1 min read

Can I blink during LASIK surgery?

Picture of The Rochester Eye & Laser Team The Rochester Eye & Laser Team : Jan 28, 2026 2:09:06 PM

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Can I blink during LASIK surgery?

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LASIK eye surgery is a quick and simple procedure that typically results in patients having 20/20 vision immediately following the surgery. For many patients, one of the most frequently asked questions is “what happens if I blink during LASIK?” as well as if vision results are affected in any way by movement, blinking, or sneezing during the procedure. 

Rest assured, thanks to the advancement in laser technologies and the skilled surgeon at the Rochester Eye and Laser Center, while you will remain awake for the procedure, you will be provided with numbing eye drops as well as a sedative to help keep you calm and comfortable. The numbing drops will also reduce your chances of eye movement during surgery. Next, your surgeon will place a small instrument called a lid speculum gently over your eye to ensure it stays open while creating the cornea flap. This device will make it impossible for you to blink during the procedure.

Once the flap is created, you will be asked to keep the focus on a blinking light while the laser sends pulses of light to the cornea. You may feel slight pressure as the cornea is being reshaped by the excimer laser.

As the entire procedure usually takes up to 15 minutes, with only about 60 seconds per eye. The actual time the laser is in contact with each eye is mere seconds. Finally, the corneal flap is lowered back into place so it can heal naturally with the achievement of clear vision. 

Although the small medical device used to ensure your eyelids are held open will prevent blinking, the sophisticated design of the laser uses an advanced eye-tracking device that constantly monitors and measures the position of the eye, compensating for any small eye movement. The laser will track your eye over one thousand times per second and adjust the laser accordingly. With any sudden movement during the procedure, the laser will simply shut off and readjust. Once you have settled back into a still position, the laser will resume perfectly centered to complete treatment. Sneezing, blinking, coughing, or any other involuntary movement will not affect the outcome of the LASIK procedure. 

Learn more about the LASIK Experience at https://www.rochestereyecenter.com/lasik-eye-surgery-experience

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