This is one of the most common worries – but rest assured, multiple safeguards are in place so a sudden movement won’t ruin anything.

First, a small device (eyelid speculum) gently holds your eye open, so you won’t blink at all during the procedure. You also won’t feel the natural urge to blink because numbing drops eliminate that sensation.

Second, if you need to cough or sneeze just tell the surgeon and they can instantly pause – the instruments are so tiny and incisions so small that a quick pause is safe. The instruments often have self-sealing incisions only ~2-3 mm wide, so the eye is not wide open like old surgeries.

Additionally, you’ll likely have a mild sedative to keep you relaxed and still. It’s comparable to a car’s safety systems – seatbelts, airbags, anti-lock brakes – if a jolt happens, the system prevents catastrophe. Your surgical team has seen it all and they know how to keep you safe even if you move a bit inadvertently. So don’t hold in that sneeze – it’s okay; just let the staff know, and they’ll manage it calmly.