LASIK Eye Surgery

LASIK or laser-assisted situ keratomileusis eye surgery is the most common type of laser refractive surgery performed to correct vision problems.

In eyes having normal vision, the cornea (a dome-shaped clear tissue present at the front of the eye) will bend or refract the light precisely onto the retina at the back of the eye. But, in cases of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, the light bends incorrectly, leading to blurred vision.

LASIK surgery involves the use of a special type of cutting laser to accurately change the shape of the cornea and improve vision, and also provide the necessary refraction.

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LASIK surgery is performed to correct any one of the following vision problems:

  1. Myopia (nearsightedness): When the eyeball is slightly longer than normal, or when the cornea curves too sharply, the light rays will focus in front of the retina and blur the distant vision. A person having myopia can view objects that are close by clearly, but not the objects that are far away.
  2. Hyperopia (farsightedness): When the eyeball is shorter than normal, or the cornea is too flat, the light will focus behind the retina instead of focusing on it. This makes near vision, and sometimes, even distant vision, blurred.
  3. Astigmatism: A condition in which the cornea flattens or curves unevenly, disrupting the focus of the near and far vision.

 

  1. Prescription check: Cycloplegic eye drops may be used to temporarily paralyze the focusing muscle inside the eye. This helps the doctor in measuring the total prescription and collecting raw data on the patient’s true vision.
  2. Eye muscle test: A binocular vision assessment is a type of vision test that helps the doctor to check how the eyes work as a team and rule out binocular vision disorder, in which the eyes fail to merge the images into one in the patient’s brain.
  3. Tear analysis: Quantitative and qualitative tear film tests help in the examination of the patient’s natural tears.
  4. Cornea measurements: Corneal topography is a computerized method performed to determine the exact shape of the cornea.
  5. Wavefront analysis: This test helps in the measurement of vision deficits, called higher-order aberrations.
  6. Corneal thickness measurement or pachymetry: It helps in checking the thickness of the cornea and if it is swollen.
  7. Pupil size measurement: Special devices, like an infrared pupillometer, are used to measure pupil size.

 

  1. You will lie down flat, while the doctor will use eye drops to numb the eyes.
  2. An eyelid holder and suction ring will then be placed on the eye. The holder will prevent you from blinking and the ring will prevent your eye from moving. Your vision at this time may be dim or may go completely black.
  3. The surgeon will then use a laser programmed with the measurements of your eyes to make a thin flap in the cornea.
  4. The flap is then lifted and folded back.
  5. The surgeon will then ask you to stare at a light that is shining in your eye. This prevents the eye from moving.
  6. The laser will be used again to reshape the cornea so that it can reflect the light better.
  7. The laser may make a clicking sound and you may smell a scent similar to that of burnt hair. However, you will have no pain during the procedure.
  8. The flap of tissue is then folded back down. 
  9. Healing will start quickly and the flap will settle into its place within two or three minutes.

 

LASIK eye surgery may lead to the following complications:

  • Dry eyes
  • Halos, glare, or double vision
  • Undercorrections (removal of too little tissue from the eye) resulting in unclear vision
  • Overcorrections (removal of too much tissue from the eye)
  • Astigmatism 
  • Flap problems, like infection and excessive tears
  • Regression (the vision goes back to how it was before the surgery)
  • Loss of vision (rare)

 

  • It is normal to feel a mild gritty sensation in the eyes after the procedure.
  • Follow-up visit with the doctor is scheduled for the next day, where the doctor will check if the flap is properly aligned. Subsequent follow-up visits are scheduled after the first week, and then 1,3,6, and 12 months after the surgery.
  • The doctor will recommend antibiotic eye drops and corticosteroid eye drops, which need to be used for three to seven days after the procedure.
  • You need to wear a protective shield for a week after the procedure, especially while showering or sleeping.
  • It is normal to have some dryness of the eyes for a couple of weeks or months after the procedure. Artificial tears (eye drops) can be used to provide relief from dry eyes.
  • Some people may experience night vision symptoms like glare and halos after the procedure, which may cause difficulty in driving at night.

 

Home Remedies:

  1. Avoid squeezing and rubbing the eyes to prevent the displacement of the flap.
  2. You may wear protective eyeglasses for a week after the procedure to prevent any water or dirt from entering the eyes.
  3. Avoid hot tubs and swimming for at least two weeks after the surgery.
  4. You may take a bath the next day after the surgery, but avoid any water from entering the eyes.
  5. Avoid exercising for two weeks after the surgery.
  6. Prevent any water or sweat from entering the eyes for approximately two weeks after the surgery.
  7. Avoid eye makeup and creams for one week after the procedure.
  8. Avoid any ointments in the early recovery period to prevent any migration under the flap.
  9. You may use eye drops for dry eyes after the initial recovery period.

 

Cost of LASIK eye surgery in India :

The cost of LASIK eye surgery in Mumbai is between INR 40,000 to INR 2,00,000.
The cost of LASIK eye surgery in Delhi is between INR 35,000 to INR 1,80,000.
The cost of LASIK eye surgery in Bangalore is between INR 35,000 to INR 1,80,000.
The cost of LASIK eye surgery in Chennai is between INR 30,000 to INR 1,50,000.