Evolution of LASIK Technology

LASIK is a procedure performed to reshape the cornea, so ideally it should be performed by a trained Cornea Surgeon. LASIK laser is not just about the machine being used. For the best results, it is important that your tests are done accurately and your treatment is planned by the surgeon after studying the intricacy of your cornea. These are best understood by a trained cornea specialist. So your treatment profile is customized and planned by our cornea specialist for the best results. Do check the credentials of your doctor, while planning the surgery.

No, the laser procedure itself does not hurt. Anaesthetic drops (Paracaine eye drops) are put in your eyes just prior to taking you inside the OT to numb the eyes. All you need to do is stay calm, lie down on a Table inside the LASIK OT, and follow the Surgeon’s instructions. While undergoing the LASIK, you may feel slight pressure on your eye during the procedure for a few seconds. But there is NO PAIN.

There is a fixed protocol that we follow for patient’s coming for LASIK consultation – 1st Visit – PRE – OPERATIVE CHECK UP (LASIK SCREENING) To access whether LASIK is right for you, a detailed clinical evaluation needs to be done. The LASIK Screening tests involve a series of procedures like Refraction, corneal thickness analysis(Pachymetry), dry eye testing, dilated retina evaluation, Topography and Doctor’s consultation. All this would take about 2 hours. If you are a contact lens user, you are advised to discontinue wearing contacts 5 days prior to appointment, as they can affect the readings taken for LASIK screening. Once doctor has examined you and explained about the procedure, you are given a date for surgery, suitable for you. It is possible to post you for surgery, the very next day if all your tests are clear. 2nd VISIT – ON DAY OF LASIK SURGERY You are advised to come at a suitable time as communicated to you by our counsellor. It is preferred that you bring a relative or friend along to drive you back home, as you cannot drive your car immediately after the procedure. A final check of your refraction is done on the day of surgery. After completion of paperwork formalities and consents, you would be escorted to the LASIK OT. The procedure is done under numbing eye drops put in your eyes before you enter OT. No injections are used and you won’t feel any pain. The procedure takes about 10-15 minutes for one eye. The actual time of Laser treatment on your eyes is just 15- 20 seconds per eye. If you are undergoing Bladefree LASIK, you would be made to pass under two Lasers – the first is the femto second laser to make the flap and the second is excimer laser to reshape the cornea. If you are undergoing microkeratome LASIK(Blade Lasik), you would go just under the excimer Laser. After the procedure, you will be advised regarding the medications and post operative instructions and you can leave the hospital around half an hour after the procedure. 3rd VISIT – 1st POST – OPERSTIVE DAY FOLLOW UP You will be called to visit your doctor for a postoperative follow up next day after the surgery to assess your eyes and vision.

You are advised to stop using contact lenses, at least 5 days prior to procedure.

Put the antibiotic drops advised by the doctor in both eyes 4 times a day one day prior to surgery and once in the morning on day of surgery.

Wash your hair on the day of surgery as you will be advised to avoid head bath for at least 3-5 days after surgery.

Do not use any kind of eye make up or face make up on day of Surgery. Clean your eye lid margins well one day before to remove any kajal or mascara residues.

Do not apply any perfumes or deodorants on the day of surgery.

You can have a normal light breakfast before coming to the hospital for LASIK.

You will be advised to start some eye drops right from the day of surgery. Instill the drops as advised by the doctor. Avoid rubbing your eyes. You can clean your eyes with a sterile cotton swab soaked in boiled water or with sterile lid wipes, making sure you don’t touch the cornea ( black part of your eye ball).

You will be advised to wear dark goggles after the surgery, throughout the day for the first 3 days. After 3 days, you would need to wear the dark glasses only when you go outdoors, you do not need to wear them inside your house. The dark glasses help protect your eyes from dust and also helps to prevent you from touching and rubbing your eyes.

You can have your normal food after laser treatment.

Avoid smoking for at least 2 weeks as the smoke fumes can increase dryness felt in the eyes.

You can start using your phone from the very next day. Desktop, laptop usage can be done from the 3rd day onwards in a graded manner. That means on 3rd day you can spend 2 hrs on the laptop, 4th day 4 hrs, 5th day 5-6 hrs and so on. By 5th Day of Surgery most people are comfortable to resume their routine.

You are advised to avoid driving back home on the day of surgery. Most patients are comfortable to drive by the 5th post operative day. Sometimes, night driving may be a bit difficult during first few days, however the glare settles over next 2 weeks.

For females, you are advised not to use any eye make up for 2 weeks. Threading of eyebrows and eye make up may be done after 2 weeks taking care to avoid too much pressure on the eye.

Light activities like walking and jogging can be done the very next day. Do not do heavy exercises for 7 days. Sports activities can be done after 1 month. Avoid swimming, water diving for atleast 1 month.

After LASIK, you would be prescribed eye drops which would need to be put as advised by your doctor. The antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops are to be put for 3 weeks in a tapering dose and the lubricant drop are continued for a month. Some patients prefer to continue the lubricant for longer period after LASIK.

Pregnancy and lactation are contraindication to LASIK surgery. There are hormonal changes in the body which can cause visual fluctuations and affect how the eye responds to laser treatment. So in case you are considering LASIK, it is best to plan your procedure after you have stopped breastfeeding .

Yes, LASIK Laser surgery is safe, and is one of the most common eye surgeries done today with highly successful and predictable outcomes. But as in every surgery, there are certain potential risks that you should know about. Although these risks/complications are very rare, they will be discussed with you during your counselling.

After the LASIK procedure, once the healing process is completed, the results gained will be permanent. There could be rare cases where blurring of vision may recur. In most cases, this happens after many years and is a result of progression of the process of myopia, which can occur naturally in any person. This could be expected in around 1-2% of treated people. If the regression, that is power is significant, a touch up procedure (LASIK enhancement) can be done after discussing with doctor.

Like any other surgery, LASIK is also associated with some risks and complication, although rare. The minor complications include: Halos – Some patients will notice glare, halos or starburst around objects in low-light conditions. For the vast majority, these symptoms are temporary. However, others will continue to experience them for several months or longer. During pre-operative evaluation, the refractive surgeon can determine whether or not a person is at high risk for seeing long-term halos and council the patient regarding the possibility of the same. Dry eyes – There is increased dryness of the eyes typically for several months following LASIK, though some patients may experience dryness for a longer period of time. It is important to use lubricating drops frequently. If the eyes remain dry for prolonged period, there are other drops or techniques that can help. Pre-operative evaluation will help determine whether or not a person is a likely candidate for experiencing dry eyes. Infection – This is an extremely rare occurrence, with a 1 in 2000-3000 chance (similar to any eye surgery). Fortunately, as the LASIK technique has developed over the years and proven to be of great benefit to millions of patients nationwide, firmly established protocols now exist which minimize the risk of infection.

I use glasses for distance as well as reading glasses.I am above 45 years? Can I get rid of my Glasses?

Yes. Now with newer advances, and cutting edge technology there are LASIK Platforms that can help to treat Presbyopia. For patients who are above the age of 45years, and wish for spectacle independence for distance and near, we offer SUPRACOR Presbyopic LASIK. Our surgeon will discuss this option with you during your visit.

Our LASIK surgeon is among the first few surgeons in North India who started performing SUPRACOR Presbyopic LASIK.