Frequently Asked Questions

What is LASIK?

It is a surgical procedure to correct or improve faulty eyesight. The full-form of Laser eye surgery or LASIK is Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. This procedure is used to correct:

1. Near-sightedness
2. Far-sightedness
3. Blurred vision

The types of LASIK surgeries that can be performed are:

1. Topography-guided LASIK
2. Wave optimized LASIK
3. Wavefront-guided LASIK
4. All laser LASIK

What are the advantages associated with LASIK?

Advantages of LASIK surgery are the following:

1. Better success rate than other vision correction surgeries.
2. Little discomfort or pain compared to other procedures.
3. Can eliminate the need for eyeglasses or contact lens completely.
4. Adjustments for vision correction can be made during aging.

What are the indications of LASIK?

LASIK is done for individuals with conditions like:

1. Hyperopia [nearby objects appear blurry and far objects are clear]
2. Myopia [to see the near objects clearly than objects which are far away]
3. Astigmatism [irregular curvature of eye lens leading to the objects appear blurred]

What is the preparation required for LASIK Surgery?

The preparation required for LASIK Surgery are:

1. It is advised not to read, write, or use electronic devices like a computer or cellphone 30 minutes prior to the test.
2. Your eyes will be examined by the doctor to check for the shape and thickness of the cornea, and any infections of the eyes.
3. The doctor may ask you to stop wearing eyeglasses or contact lens before surgery.
4. Take all the medications as instructed by your doctor.

What are the steps involved in LASIK?

The steps involved in LASIK surgery are:

1. The patient is prepared for surgery and local anesthesia is given to the patient as eye drops.
2. Then, a thin hinged flap in the surface of the cornea of an eye using specialized equipment known as a microkeratome.
3. Next, the cornea is reshaped precisely to improve the vision by LASIK laser while tracking and monitoring your eye with a computer.
4. The flap will be replaced on the surface of the cornea, After reshaping the cornea.

What is the recovery care for LASIK Surgery?

Care must be taken after the completion of surgery and they are:

1. Regularly use the eye drops
2. Use sunglasses to avoid bright and direct sunlight
3. Wear plastic shields to protect your eyes while sleeping
4. Don't touch or rub your eyes frequently
5. Take all the prescribed medications as directed by your doctor
6. Avoid swimming or splashing of water directly into your eyes

Who can perform LASIK?

LASIK Surgery can be performed by:

1. An experienced Ophthalmologist with training in LASIK surgery.
2. Any MD [Doctor of medicine] with several years of training in LASIK.
3. Optometrists who completed LASIK training and performed successful surgeries.

What is the cost of LASIK in Chennai?

The charges for LASIK in Chennai may change based on factors like:

1. Doctor's fee
2. Hospital charges
3. Type of LASIK procedure
4. Recommended lab tests
5. Medical condition

The minimum amount to be paid in Chennai starts from Rs.10,000.

The average charges in Chennai can be approximately around Rs.45,000.

The maximum price in Chennai can be up to Rs.80,000.

Is LASIK a major surgery or minor surgery?

LASIK Surgery can be either major or minor procedure depending on the patient's medical condition.

Who can undergo LASIK Surgery?

LASIK Surgery is performed on individuals like:

1. The cornea of the eye should be suitable for surgery.
2. People who are not comfortable to wear contact lens or eyeglasses.
3. Individuals whose vision has been stable for almost a year.
4. Individuals older than 18 years facing difficulties in eyesight.

Who cannot undergo LASIK?

LASIK Surgery is not recommended to individuals like the following:

1. Pregnant women
2. Individuals who are less than the age of 18 years. [Based on the severity of eyesight]
3. Individuals with a weak immune system or poor health
4. Individuals with changing vision over a year
5. Individuals who are satisfied with either eyeglasses or contact lens

What are the risks and complications involved in LASIK?

Like any surgery, LASIK  has its own benefits, risks, and complications like:

1. Temporary visual disturbances like Seeing halos around the objects, Poor night vision, etc.
2. Bulging of the eye surface [Keratectasia or Keratoconus]
3. Eye discomfort or eye infection
4. Irregular astigmatism
5. Light sensitive or dry eyes
6. Irregular healing of the outer layer of the cornea like inflammation under the LASIK flap etc.
7. Blurred vision or decreased sharpness of the vision
8. Loss of vision (very rare)

How long does it take to complete LASIK Surgery?

Depending on the condition of the patient the procedure may take almost 10-40 minutes to complete. 

What is the recovery time from LASIK Surgery?

Individuals can take 1-4 weeks to recover completely from LASIK Surgery.

What is the success rate of LASIK Surgery?
The success rate of LASIK surgery depends on:

1. Age of the patient
2. The medical condition of an individual
3. Experience of the doctor in performing LASIK Surgery

However, the success rate of LASIK surgery can range from 90%-99% based on the medical condition of the individual.

Is LASIK painful?
Every surgery comes with a certain level of pain and some discomfort. Anesthetic eye drops will be used to the eyes for which LASIK is needed so that you won't be experiencing pain during the process.

Is LASIK permanent?

LASIK is a permanent procedure for correcting and improving eyesight. In very few cases problems in eyesight may reappear and may lead to blurred vision.

What are the long-term results associated with LASIK?

The following are the long term results of LASIK are:

1. Change in the cornea of the eye
2. Improve eye vision
3. Permanently correct eye disorders like astigmatism, near or far-sightedness

Can LASIK surgery be detected in the future?

 LASIK surgery can be detected in the future.

What if LASIK fails?

Few of the options available if the LASIK surgery is not successful are the following:

1. Additional or a revision eye surgery as discussed with your doctor
2. Reuse of contact lens or eyeglasses
3. Retreatment with medications and diet
4. LASIK enhancement

What are the alternatives available for LASIK?

Few other alternatives can be done apart from LASIK surgery in Chennai: 

1. LASEK
2. Phakic intraocular lens implants
3. Epi-LASIK
4. Refractive lens exchange surgery