Can You Blink During LASIK?

It Doesn’t Matter If You Sneeze, Cough Or Have An Itch

No need to worry. Berkeley Eye Center’s LASIK system uses advanced 3D motion tracking technology that follows the movement of your eye throughout the entire procedure. Specifically, our VISX Star S4 IR excimer laser features ActiveTrak 3D motion tracking, which monitors your eye position continuously. If you move too much — say because you sneeze, cough, or your nose itches — the laser automatically pauses. Once you’ve settled back down, it resumes the procedure precisely where it stopped. Nothing is lost and nothing needs to start over.

Additionally, our system uses Iris Registration — a technology that captures the unique landmarks of your iris before treatment and uses them to ensure the laser remains perfectly centered and aligned throughout the procedure. Even subtle rotational movements of the eye are compensated for automatically.

Patients are also seated in ergonomic operating couches with adjustable headrests that keep the head comfortably in the correct position throughout the procedure.

Blinking Won’t Be a Problem Either

Before the procedure begins, numbing drops are applied that suppress your natural urge to blink. A small speculum device is then gently placed to hold your eyelids open during the laser treatment — so even if you tried to blink, you couldn’t. The speculum is comfortable and patients quickly stop noticing it.

The LASIK procedure is painless. Oral and topical anesthetic medication ensures you feel comfortable throughout. Afterward, your eyes may feel slightly scratchy, gritty, or watery for a few hours — these are normal, temporary sensations that resolve quickly. You’ll receive prescription eye drops to help manage any discomfort.

The Technology Behind Your Safety — How It All Works

Understanding exactly what technology is protecting you during LASIK can turn anxiety into confidence. At Berkeley Eye Center, our all-laser LASIK system uses three components working together:

5th Generation IntraLase iFS® Laser — Creates your corneal flap with bladeless, computer-guided precision. No mechanical blade is used at any point. The iFS laser gives your surgeon unparalleled control over flap diameter, depth, centration, and morphology — customized for each individual eye. This eliminates the risk of complications like corneal abrasions or irregular flaps associated with older blade-based methods.

VISX Star S4 IR™ Excimer Laser with ActiveTrak™ and Iris Registration — Performs the actual corneal reshaping. The ActiveTrak™ eye tracking system actively monitors your eye’s position throughout the entire treatment — if your eye moves, the laser follows to ensure accurate placement, or pauses if needed. Iris Registration goes a step further: before your procedure, unique landmarks on your iris are photographed. During treatment, the laser uses those landmarks to perfectly center and align the treatment, compensating for any subtle rotation of the eye. This ensures the correct treatment is applied with pinpoint accuracy.

iDESIGN® Refractive Studio — Before either laser is used, this system maps your eye’s unique optical fingerprint in a single three-second scan, combining wavefront analysis and corneal topography data. Berkeley Eye Center was the first LASIK provider in the greater Houston area to offer this revolutionary system. The personalized treatment map it creates guides the VISX Star S4 IR™ laser for a plan tailored precisely to your individual eyes — far beyond what a standard glasses prescription can capture.

All three systems are FDA-approved, backed by 20+ years of clinical research, and trusted by NASA astronauts and all branches of the U.S. Military where precise vision is absolutely critical. You can learn more about our LASIK technology and how each system contributes to your outcomes.

What to Expect After the Procedure

For many patients, anxiety about the procedure itself is quickly replaced by amazement at how fast the recovery is. Here’s what most patients experience:

Immediately after: Vision is often noticeably improved within minutes of the procedure completing. Many patients describe seeing clearly without glasses for the first time as they sit up from the operating couch.

Day 1: You’ll return for a brief post-operative check the next morning. Most patients pass and are cleared to drive themselves home. Vision is typically functional within 24 hours, though some mild fluctuation is normal.

Days 2–7: You can return to desk work and normal daily activities. Use your prescribed eye drops on schedule — this is the most important thing you can do for healing. Avoid rubbing your eyes and wear protective eyewear while sleeping.

Weeks 2–4: Most activity restrictions lift. Light exercise can resume within one to two weeks. Avoid swimming pools and open water for at least three to four weeks.

Full visual stabilization typically occurs within one to three months, with many patients noticing continued improvement throughout. All post-operative follow-up visits for the first six months are included in your procedure fee.

Frequently Asked Questions About LASIK

Are You a Candidate for Lasik in Houston?

Now that you know the procedure is designed to handle every natural movement your body might make — are you ready to take the next step? Berkeley Eye Center’s LASIK surgeons have performed over 60,000 LASIK procedures across our Houston-area laser centers in Houston (Weslayan), The Woodlands, Katy, Kingwood, and Corpus Christi.

Your free consultation includes a comprehensive candidacy evaluation — corneal mapping, wavefront analysis, and a detailed conversation with our team about what LASIK can realistically deliver for your prescription and eye health.

Schedule Your Free LASIK Consultation

View our current LASIK promotion and savings — including 0% interest financing options.