Following are the common questions about LASIK:
A. LASIK stands for laser in situ keratomileusis and is a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed to reshape the cornea to correct vision problems. LASIK is a suitable option to correct refractive errors, including myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. It is an elective treatment method for people who are tired of wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses.
A. LASIK is primarily categorized into two types-
A. A person is considered a right candidate for LASIK eye surgery when he/she meets the following conditions-
A. The LASIK surgery procedure is carried out in the following steps-
A. Similar to any other surgical procedure, LASIK surgery also has some complications-
An eye specialist carries out the procedure carefully and makes sure there are negligible chances of these complications.
A. Yes. The patient is awake during LASIK surgery and a lid speculum is placed over the eyes to hold them open during the procedure. The doctor will ask the patient to focus on a point to reduce the movements while the corneal tissues are removed. Once the corneal flap is lifted, the vision will become blurry and the patient will hear the sound of the laser activating and deactivating. During the surgery, the patient will also be able to smell the burning corneal tissues.
A. In India, the cost of LASIK surgery varies from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 1,25,000 approximately. The exact cost will vary for each patient as it depends on the below factors-
All these factors will determine the final cost of treatment.
A. Generally, LASIK treatment is an elective procedure which is why it is not covered under insurance. However, if the patient’s eye power is higher than 7.0 Diopters, the insurance providers will cover the entire treatment expense.
A. No. LASIK treatment is entirely painless as the doctor gives anesthetic drops to numb the eyes. The patient won’t feel any sensation in the eyes until the anesthesia wears off. Afterward, you may feel slight pressure around the eye or feel like something is stuck inside the eye for a few hours. The doctor will prescribe some eye drops and medications so that you can rest properly. After a while, the after-effects of the procedure will go away.
A. Each eye is different. Therefore, there is no correct answer on how long your vision will take to restore completely. It can be around one day to one week.
Your vision will take around 24-48 hours to stabilize after having LASIK surgery. For most people, the vision restores very quickly whereas others have to wait for a while. As the eyes start to heal, the majority of patients realize that their vision is improving and the side effects of surgery are also disappearing gradually.
A. A person cannot undergo LASIK if he/she is under the following conditions-
These conditions can impact the outcome of LASIK surgery and also cause serious complications. Therefore, the eye specialist evaluates the patient’s eye health thoroughly before proceeding with the treatment.
A. Yes. During the procedure, the surgeon reshapes the cornea by removing them. Thus, the results of LASIK are permanent. Your vision will be stable for a long time and may possibly start to change due to age-related conditions, like glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, etc.
A. Yes, if required, a patient can get LASIK multiple times. It often happens in case of overcorrection or under-correction. The patient can undergo LASIK surgery 3 months after the initial treatment. Only one eye is treated at a time and a difference of 4 weeks is kept between the procedure.
A retreatment is a viable option for many people who experience vision changes later in life. However, sometimes, there are better options available to correct vision problems. And the patient can opt for them too.
A. The overall recovery time after LASIK surgery is 3-4 weeks. Normally, the vision restores in 1-2 days and the patient is able to resume daily activities smoothly. However, the corneal flap will need some time to heal completely. Until that, you will have to take precautions and avoid activities that can harm the eyes. The flap will take around one month to heal on its own. During this period, you’ll also need to take follow-ups with the doctor to monitor your eye health.
A. The amount of time you’ll need off usually depends on your occupation. If you work in a profile that involves physical work, the doctor will ask you to wait for at least 10-14 days before returning to the work. However, if you have a sitting job that requires computer work, you may be able to resume within a couple of days.
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