LASIK Surgery: Mediacal Insights Patient Guide, Safety & Recovery

1.How LASIK Surgery Works: Step-by-Step Overview

LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) is one of the most advanced procedures for correcting refractive errors such as myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (far-sightedness), and astigmatism.

Steps involved:

1. Preoperative Evaluation – Comprehensive eye examination including corneal mapping, pachymetry, and refractive stability assessment.
2. Preparation – On the day of surgery, anaesthetic eye drops are instilled for comfort.
3. Flap Creation – A femtosecond laser or microkeratome creates a thin corneal flap.
4. Excimer Laser Reshaping – The corneal stroma is reshaped with high-precision laser pulses, correcting refractive error.
5. Flap Repositioning – The corneal flap is carefully repositioned, initiating immediate healing without sutures.
6. Safety Profile & Possible Risks

LASIK has a high success rate worldwide, but like any surgical procedure, it carries risks:

• Dry Eye Syndrome – Transient dryness for weeks to months.
• Infective Keratitis – Rare but possible, requires prompt treatment.
• Visual Aberrations – Night glare, halos, or starbursts may occur in some patients.
• Refractive Regression/Over- or Under-Correction – May require enhancement surgery.

3. Procedure Duration

• The entire surgery takes approximately 10–15 minutes per eye.
• The laser ablation time is usually less than one minute, depending on correction required.

4. Variants of LASIK

• Standard LASIK – Mechanical microkeratome flap creation.
• Bladeless/Femto LASIK – Flap created using femtosecond laser (enhanced precision).
• Custom/Wavefront-Guided LASIK – Corrects higher-order aberrations, improving quality of vision.
• PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) – No flap; surface ablation preferred for thin corneas.

5. Cost Considerations in India

Average cost ranges between ₹60,000 – ₹1,50,000 per eye, influenced by:

• Technique used (Standard vs. Femto vs. Custom).
• Surgeon’s expertise.
• Infrastructure & technology at the eye center.

Though expensive, it is considered a long-term investment as it reduces dependency on spectacles or contact lenses.

6. Pre-Surgical Preparation

• Contact Lens Discontinuation – 2 weeks (soft lenses); longer for rigid lenses.
• Ocular Surface Health – Treat dry eye/meibomian gland dysfunction beforehand.
• Systemic/Drug Review – Identify medications that may interfere with healing.
• Transport & Support – Arrange for accompaniment on the day of surgery.

7. Visual Recovery Timeline

• 24–48 hours – Majority achieve functional vision.
• Day 1–3 – Mild dryness, light sensitivity possible.
• Week 1 – Return to routine activities with precautions.
• 1–3 months – Complete stabilization of visual outcomes.

8. Post-Operative Care

• Medicated Eye Drops – Antibiotic & lubricants prescribed.
• Protective Shields/Glasses – To prevent accidental trauma and rubbing.
• Activity Restrictions – Avoid swimming, heavy exercise, and eye rubbing for 2–4 weeks.
• Scheduled Follow-ups – Critical to monitor corneal healing and refractive stability.

9. Special Considerations

• Age Factor – Ideal candidates: 18–40 years with stable refraction.
• Presbyopia – Options include Monovision LASIK or alternative procedures.
• Older Adults – Evaluate for cataract, dry eye, or corneal degeneration.
• Astigmatism – LASIK can effectively regularize corneal curvature.
• Non-Candidates – Severe dry eye, thin cornea, unstable refraction, keratoconus → PRK/RLE may be better.

10. Long-Term Efficacy

• LASIK results are permanent for refractive error correction.
• Natural age-related changes like presbyopia or cataract are not prevented by LASIK.
• Most patients maintain 20/25 or better vision for years post-procedure.