What is LASIK Eye Surgery?

Lasik eye surgery has become a mainstream technique of vision correction. Those who struggle with nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism can end the use of expensive glasses and lenses because of this. 

Lasik treatment or Laser In situ keratomileusis offers a number of benefits because it is performed under the protective layer of corneal tissue. Approximately 70-80% laser is a safe and effective method for vision-related problems. Vision also returns quickly within a day or two. 

Statistics show there is a high risk if you wear lenses for long period. The remarkable thing about Laser eye surgery is it requires less surface area to heal, very minimum or no scarring is noticed and you will feel very less pain after surgery. For the people who are aged and planning for a cataract, don’t worry laser eye surgery will not interrupt the process of cataract, so you can perform this surgery before cataract. The right candidates for Lasik Eye Surgery are:

1. People with the age of 18 or above and below 70.
2. People who are physically and mentally healthy
3. People with either farsightedness or nearsightedness along with astigmatism.
4. Failed past Radial Keratotomy surgery.
5. People who have undergone through routine eye exam test

Avoid the selection of Lasik eye surgery if you have a high level of diabetes for months or years, uncontrollable BP, cholesterol, or asthma. Patients with AIDS and who are HIV positive aren’t suitable candidates for this. 

The procedure of LASIK Eye Surgery

Before:

When you arrive for LASIK eye surgery, it is necessary that you are accompanied by someone who can drive you home after the treatment. A doctor will perform some eye tests and will keep you under observation for some minutes. Your prescription will be checked before and after dilation, outer and inner parts of eyes will be monitored precisely, the size of your pupil will be recorded and the doctor will discuss the scheduling the treatment along with total cost will be estimated in front of you. If you use contact lenses then stop wearing them at least 10 days before the procedure but you can wear glasses as an alternative during this period. Come 15-20 minutes early from the mentioned time. 

During:

Laser surgery is performed under topical anaesthesia which will be given in the form of a drop in your eyes to make you feel comfortable in the whole process. You will be directed to the laser suite. Each eye takes 10-20 minutes for treatment. The sedative or anaesthesia’s purpose is to secure your eyelids in order to restrict it from blinking. The thin and protective flap is created for your cornea after it is made the surgeon will gently lift the flap you will be asked to look at the flashlight to reshape the corneal surface with an excimer laser. The laser part of the procedures takes some seconds and no pain will be experienced in the procedure.

After:

After the procedure, a clear shield will be placed over your eyes, 2-3 days recuperation is suggested, to prevent redness and infection, the doctor will prescribe you some drops, it is necessary to follow the guidelines given by the doctor. You will spend some time in the recovery room.  

Recovery of LASIK eye Surgery

You will have to rest for 2-6 hours after the surgery for quick recovery after that you can resume your regular activities, your vision will be dramatically improved but keep in mind, your vision will be blurry for few days and that is natural, and difficulty in reading, eyes may experience a bit pressure and dryness and eyes may tear more than normal to overcome with these problems ensure you are using doctor’s recommended drops and medicines. Do not touch the eye also avoid rubbing and do not give any pressure 

LASIK Eye Surgery Success Rates

There is only 10-20% possibility that the desired refractive outcome is not attained, so about 80-90% of people are satisfied with the results because some from them achieved more than expected results. Additionally, 95% of treatments resulted in  20/40 vision or better, enabling patients to pass the driving tests, as well as everyday work, is performed without glasses or lenses. More than 60% achieved 20/20 vision. The type of custom LASIK is showing more satisfaction to the patients than any other type, and its success rate is estimated at 98%. But do not forget that every person is different and his/her eyes are as well so in some patients Lasik works partially, in some completely and in some not at all. 

Risks of LASIK Eye Surgery

1. Time-consuming healing of flap.
2. Uncontrollable infection and redness
3. Time-consuming healing of cornea beneath the flap
4. Extreme dryness
5. Problems with night glare and halo’s around the lights or bright areas.
6. Improper tissue removal
7. Light sensitivity
8. Trouble in reading and while doing computer work.

Fortunately, the types of complications that threat a patient and doctor are extremely rare. During your first appointment, you can ask the doctor about issues that may affect the eye surgery. 

Cost of LASIK Surgery in India

Cost of LASIK eye surgery relies on the type of centre and experience of the doctor, in small towns, it is around 5,000 Rs. to 15,000 Rs. per eye and in big cities it starts from 30,000 Rs. to 80,000 Rs. in extremely expensive cities like Mumbai and Delhi it may cost you an arm and leg (1 lakh Rupees). Some centres include before and after surgery consultations also in this while some not. If additional touch up is required then it can be covered in the total cost. Insurance companies typically don’t cover this, because in their point of view this isn’t a medical emergency. 

Hospitals in India for LASIK Eye Surgery

There are numerous hospitals in India which are ready to select the right treatment option for you. Gleneagles Global and Seven Hills specialize in providing you with excellence in Lasik Eye surgery in Mumbai. Also, Bangalore has some the outstanding hospitals when it comes to eye surgery, some are, Maharaja Agrasen, and Columbia Asia. 

FAQs:

• How many types of Laser eye surgery are available?

Several modern laser eye surgery treatments are available nowadays, such as Photorefractive keratectomy, Laser blended vision, YAG, PTK and Advanced Surface Ablation are main ones. You can call your doctor to make an appointment to discuss the best option for you. 

• How much time do I need to take off from a job?

You should take at least 3-4 days off from the work, if you have any infection or sensitivity problems then you should take a leave of a week. 

• Will the result of laser surgery last?

Long term results fluctuate and vary from person to person majorly depends upon post-operative care and on the correctness of the procedure. 

• How laser surgery treat astigmatism?

Doctors recommend relaxing incisions in the borderline of the cornea to reduce astigmatism and then an excimer laser is generously used to treat astigmatism. 

• Are both eyes treated at the same time in laser eye surgery?

Yes, if a surgeon doesn’t find any complications in the first eye, then the second eye is also treated right after the first. 

• What’s the benefit of LASIK eye surgery?

Its biggest advantage is the quick recovery that too with minimum discomfort, if the thickness of your cornea is normal, or more than the average then this procedure has so many perks.

• Is Laser eye surgery safe?

Yes since it been more than 2 decades and millions of people have chosen this, considered to be very safe. The risk of infection and scarring is less in this.

• What’s the difference between LASIK and PRK?