A mild oral sedative is given before the procedure to relax the patient. For the procedure, numbing eye drops are given to patients before surgery to ensure they remain relaxed and comfortable. No shots or needles are used during the LASIK procedure. A lid holder is placed in the eye so the patient cannot blink. Although patients may feel some pressure (15-45 seconds while the flap is being created), most patients report a little discomfort during the procedure, however pain is NOT a word patients customarily use to describe their LASIK.