{"id":37773,"date":"2026-09-14T12:57:33","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T10:57:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/day-of-laser-eye-surgery\/"},"modified":"2026-09-16T11:00:01","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T09:00:01","slug":"day-of-laser-eye-surgery","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/day-of-laser-eye-surgery\/","title":{"rendered":"The day of your laser eye surgery: procedure, preparation and the way home"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n.page-template-default h1,.single h1,body h1{max-width:1140px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-left:20px;padding-right:20px;box-sizing:border-box;color:#03293b}\n.elx{max-width:1140px;margin:0 auto;padding:0 20px 50px;color:#555d60;line-height:1.65;font-size:17px}\n.elx h2{color:#2b337b;font-size:1.85em;line-height:1.3;margin:1.8em 0 .3em}\n.elx h3{color:#2b337b;font-size:1.15em;margin:0 0 .5em}\n.elx .sub{margin:0 0 1.2em;color:#555d60}\n.elx-quote{background:#eef8fd;border-left:4px solid 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0;padding:16px 22px;margin:1.2em 0;font-size:.95em}\n.elx-check{display:flex;gap:14px;align-items:flex-start}\n.elx-check .ck{flex:0 0 auto;width:28px;height:28px;border-radius:50%;background:#eef8fd;color:#00b4eb;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center}\n.elx-wrap{overflow-x:auto;margin:1em 0;background:#fff;border:1px solid #e6ebf0;border-radius:10px;box-shadow:0 4px 10px rgba(0,0,0,.06)}\ntable.elx-t{border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;min-width:520px}\ntable.elx-t th,table.elx-t td{padding:14px 20px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #eef1f5}\ntable.elx-t thead th{background:#2b337b;color:#fff;border-bottom:0}\ntable.elx-t tbody tr:last-child td,table.elx-t tbody tr:last-child th{border-bottom:0}\ntable.elx-t tbody th{font-weight:700;color:#03293b}\ntable.elx-t td{white-space:nowrap}\n.elx-faq details{background:#fff;border:1px solid #e6ebf0;border-radius:10px;margin:10px 0;box-shadow:0 4px 10px rgba(0,0,0,.05)}\n.elx-faq summary{cursor:pointer;font-weight:700;color:#2b337b;padding:18px 22px;list-style:none;position:relative;padding-right:44px}\n.elx-faq summary::-webkit-details-marker{display:none}\n.elx-faq summary::after{content:\"+\";position:absolute;right:20px;top:50%;transform:translateY(-50%);color:#00b4eb;font-size:1.5em;font-weight:400}\n.elx-faq details[open] summary::after{content:\"\u2013\"}\n.elx-faq details p{margin:0;padding:0 22px 18px;font-size:.96em}\n.elx a{color:#00b4eb}\n.elx-byline{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:14px;margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:.92em}\n.elx-byline img{width:52px;height:52px;border-radius:50%;object-fit:cover;border:2px solid #00b4eb}\n.elx-byline b{color:#03293b}\n.elx-sticky{display:none}\n@media(max-width:700px){.elx{font-size:16px}.elx-cta{padding:22px}\n.elx-sticky{display:flex;position:fixed;left:0;right:0;bottom:0;z-index:9990;background:#fff;box-shadow:0 -4px 14px rgba(3,41,59,.14);padding:10px 12px;gap:10px}\n.elx-sticky a{flex:1;text-align:center;border-radius:999px;padding:12px 8px;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;font-size:.95em}\n.elx-sticky .b1{background:#00b4eb;color:#fff}\n.elx-sticky .b2{background:#eef8fd;color:#2b337b}\nbody{padding-bottom:64px}}\n<\/style>\n<div class=\"elx\">\n<div class=\"elx-quote\">The procedure takes <strong>15 to 20 minutes for both eyes<\/strong>, with anaesthetic drops and no injection. Plan half a day; you are usually in the clinic for about two hours, leave with sunglasses and a companion and return the next day for the first check-up. Here is step by step what happens on that day and how to prepare.<\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-byline\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/dr-victor-derhartunian-portrait-klein.webp\" alt=\"Dr. med. univ. Victor Derhartunian\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"52\" height=\"52\"><span>Medically reviewed by <b><a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/about-dr-victor-derhartunian\/\" style=\"color:#03293b\">Dr. med. univ. Victor Derhartunian, FEBO<\/a><\/b><br \/>Ophthalmologist &middot; Last updated: 16 September 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-stats\">\n<div class=\"elx-stat\"><b>15&ndash;20 min<\/b><span>treatment for both eyes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-stat\"><b>0 injections<\/b><span>anaesthesia with drops only<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-stat\"><b>~2 hrs<\/b><span>in the clinic, plan half a day<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-stat\"><b>Day 1<\/b><span>first check-up the next day<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-cta\">\n<p>Before the day of surgery: the free consultation.<small>Strehlgasse 33, 3rd floor &middot; five minutes on foot from Zurich main station &middot; Mon&ndash;Fri 09:00&ndash;18:00<\/small><\/p>\n<p><span><a class=\"elx-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/book-an-assessment\/\">Book a free consultation<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a class=\"elx-tel\" href=\"tel:+41442219502\">+41 (0)44 221 95 02<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"vorbereitung\">The days before: how to prepare<\/h2>\n<p class=\"sub\">The full pre-assessment is behind you, the method is decided. The day itself needs little preparation, but the little there is matters.<\/p>\n<div class=\"elx-check\" style=\"margin:14px 0\"><span class=\"ck\">&#10003;<\/span><span><strong>Stop wearing contact lenses<\/strong><br \/>Soft lenses at least one week, hard lenses four weeks, ortho-k lenses three months before the procedure. The cornea should have its natural shape, as it did at the pre-assessment.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-check\" style=\"margin:14px 0\"><span class=\"ck\">&#10003;<\/span><span><strong>No make-up, creams or perfume<\/strong><br \/>Nothing on eyes and face on the day and the evening before. Residues interfere with sterility and can get into the eye.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-check\" style=\"margin:14px 0\"><span class=\"ck\">&#10003;<\/span><span><strong>Eat and drink normally<\/strong><br \/>No fasting needed, as there is no general anaesthetic. A light breakfast or lunch is in fact sensible. No alcohol on the day.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-check\" style=\"margin:14px 0\"><span class=\"ck\">&#10003;<\/span><span><strong>Keep taking your medication<\/strong><br \/>Take your regular medication as usual. Tell us beforehand what you take if anything has changed since the pre-assessment.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-check\" style=\"margin:14px 0\"><span class=\"ck\">&#10003;<\/span><span><strong>Arrange a companion and the way home<\/strong><br \/>You must not drive yourself. A companion is pleasant but not compulsory if you travel home by train, tram or taxi. Those coming from further away often stay overnight in Zurich and come for the check-up in the morning.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-check\" style=\"margin:14px 0\"><span class=\"ck\">&#10003;<\/span><span><strong>What to bring<\/strong><br \/>Sunglasses, comfortable clothes, a top with buttons or a zip (nothing to pull over your head), your glasses for the way there and your companion&#8217;s phone number.<\/span><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"ablauf\">The day itself: six steps<\/h2>\n<div class=\"elx-grid\">\n<div class=\"elx-step\"><span class=\"n\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Arrival and check<\/h3>\n<p>We check your prescription one last time, discuss open questions and start the drops. You sign the consent form if that has not already happened.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-step\"><span class=\"n\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Anaesthetic drops<\/h3>\n<p>Anaesthetic and disinfecting drops. After a few minutes you barely feel the eye. There is no injection and no general anaesthetic.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-step\"><span class=\"n\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Positioning and lid holder<\/h3>\n<p>You lie comfortably, your head resting in a hollow. A lid holder keeps the eye open, so you do not have to fight the urge to blink. Dr. Derhartunian announces every step.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-step\"><span class=\"n\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The laser<\/h3>\n<p>Depending on the method the SCHWIND ATOS (SmartSight) or the AMARIS 1050RS (Femto-LASIK, Trans-PRK) is used. You fixate a light; the eye tracker follows every movement. The laser itself works for seconds to a few minutes per eye.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-step\"><span class=\"n\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Rest<\/h3>\n<p>After both eyes you rest for 20 to 30 minutes with your eyes closed. Then a short check, the drops to take home and the plan for the coming days.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-step\"><span class=\"n\">6<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The way home<\/h3>\n<p>With sunglasses, because the eyes are sensitive to light. At home: eyes closed, sleep or rest. No television or screens today.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"spueren\">What you feel, by method<\/h2>\n<div class=\"elx-wrap\">\n<table class=\"elx-t\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Method<\/th>\n<th>During the procedure<\/th>\n<th>The first hours<\/th>\n<th>The next day<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th><a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/smartsight\/\">SmartSight<\/a><\/th>\n<td>pressure and lights for about 30 seconds per eye<\/td>\n<td>slight burning, watering, blurred vision<\/td>\n<td>usually already fine for everyday life<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th><a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/laser-eye-surgery\/lasik-femto-lasik\/\">Femto-LASIK<\/a><\/th>\n<td>pressure while the flap is created, a brief dark phase<\/td>\n<td>burning and a foreign-body feeling for a few hours<\/td>\n<td>usually already fine for everyday life<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th><a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/lasek-prk-trans-prk\/\">Trans-PRK<\/a><\/th>\n<td>no contact with the eye, only light<\/td>\n<td>stronger burning over two to three days, bandage lens<\/td>\n<td>still blurred, the bandage lens stays<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"sub\">All three procedures are painless during treatment. The differences show in the first days: Trans-PRK asks for the most patience, but works without a cut and without a flap.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"ersten-24\">The first 24 hours at home<\/h2>\n<div class=\"elx-grid\">\n<div class=\"elx-card\"><span class=\"ico\">&#128167;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Drops as planned<\/h3>\n<p>Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops plus artificial tears. The plan comes in writing; wash your hands first and do not touch the eye with the bottle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-card\"><span class=\"ico\">&#128564;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Sleep with protection<\/h3>\n<p>On the first night you sleep with the protective goggles provided, so you do not rub your eye in your sleep. No rubbing in the first week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-card\"><span class=\"ico\">&#128241;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Screens and reading<\/h3>\n<p>Not today. From the next day in short spells, from day two or three usually without restriction. After Trans-PRK it takes about a week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-card\"><span class=\"ico\">&#9728;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Light and water<\/h3>\n<p>Sunglasses outdoors, no water in the eye while showering, no swimming pool, no sauna and no eye make-up for a week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-note\"><strong>When to call immediately:<\/strong> severe pain that does not ease with the drops, a sudden marked deterioration of vision or a strongly reddened eye. You have the surgeon&#8217;s mobile number, around the clock. Burning, watering and light sensitivity on the first evening are normal.<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"tag1\">The check-up the next day and what follows<\/h2>\n<p>The day after the procedure we see you briefly: vision test, a look at the cornea, with Femto-LASIK a check of the flap, with Trans-PRK a check of the bandage lens. Then follow the checks after one week, after one month and after three months; these are included in the fixed price, after which the annual check is chargeable. Sport without physical contact is possible from the second week, contact sport from week four to six. The whole healing process is described on the <a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/augenlasern\/\">laser eye surgery overview<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"weiter\">Further reading<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/augenlasern\/\">laser eye surgery overview<\/a> &middot; <a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/laser-eye-surgery-costs\/\">all prices<\/a> &middot; <a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/nachkorrektur-nach-augenlasern-andere-klinik\/\">correction after surgery elsewhere<\/a> &middot; <a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/augenlasern-im-ausland\/\">laser eye surgery abroad or in Zurich<\/a> &middot; <a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/about-us\/\">how to spot a good clinic<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"faq\">Frequently asked questions about the day of surgery<\/h2>\n<div class=\"elx-faq\">\n<details>\n<summary>How long am I in the clinic on the day?<\/summary>\n<p>Plan half a day; you are usually in the clinic for about two hours. The procedure itself takes 15 to 20 minutes for both eyes, the rest is preparation, drops, a short rest and the final check.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Does it hurt?<\/summary>\n<p>No. The eye is numbed with drops, there is no injection. You feel pressure and see lights, but no pain. In the first hours afterwards the eyes burn and water, which is normal and passes with drops and rest.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>May I eat and drink beforehand?<\/summary>\n<p>Yes, eat as usual. No fasting is needed because there is no general anaesthetic. Avoid alcohol on the day.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>What if I blink or move during treatment?<\/summary>\n<p>A lid holder keeps the eye gently open, so you cannot blink. The laser follows your eye with an eye tracker many hundred times per second and pauses if movement is too large. You cannot do anything wrong.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Can I drive home myself?<\/summary>\n<p>No. You must not drive on the day because vision is still blurred and the drops affect the pupil. Come with a companion, by public transport or by taxi. The clinic is five minutes on foot from the main station.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>When will I see clearly again?<\/summary>\n<p>After SmartSight and Femto-LASIK most people see well enough for everyday life the next day. After Trans-PRK a bandage lens stays for a few days and vision clears over the first week. The final result stabilises over weeks to a few months.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>When can I work again?<\/summary>\n<p>Screen work is usually possible from the second or third day after SmartSight and Femto-LASIK, after about a week following Trans-PRK. Many people schedule the procedure for a Thursday or Friday and use the weekend to recover.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>What do I do if something feels wrong in the evening?<\/summary>\n<p>You have the surgeon&#8217;s mobile number, around the clock. Severe pain, a sudden deterioration or a markedly red eye are reasons to call at once. Burning, watering and light sensitivity on the first evening are normal.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-cta\">\n<p>Ready for the first step?<small>Free consultation, also by video call &middot; <a class=\"elx-tel\" href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/find-us\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline!important\">How to find us<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n<p><span><a class=\"elx-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/book-an-assessment\/\">Book a free consultation<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a class=\"elx-tel\" href=\"tel:+41442219502\">+41 (0)44 221 95 02<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-sticky\"><a class=\"b1\" href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/book-an-assessment\/\">Gratis Erstgespr&auml;ch<\/a><a class=\"b2\" href=\"tel:+41442219502\">Anrufen<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The procedure takes 15 to 20 minutes for both eyes, with anaesthetic drops and no injection. Plan half a day;&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-37773","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37773","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37773"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37773\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37773"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}