Lasik Eye Surgery Cost in Chennai

What is LASIK surgery cost in Chennai

LASIK eye surgery cost in Chennai ranges from Rs. 45,000 to Rs. 1,45,000. However, numerous factors can impact the cost of LASIK surgery in Chennai, including the technique used for surgery, type of healthcare facility, technology and tools used during the procedure, the experience of the ophthalmologist, aftercare services provided by the medical facility, etc.

LASIK is a type of refractive surgery. This surgery utilizes a laser to treat vision problems caused by refractive errors. The refractive error occurs when your eye does not refract (bend) light appropriately.

For you to see clearly, light rays must traverse through your cornea and lens. The cornea and lens refract the light so it lands on the retina. The retina turns light into signals that travel to your brain and become images. With refractive errors, the shape of the cornea or lens keeps light from bending adequately. When light is not concentrated on the retina as it should be, your vision gets blurry.

In LASIK, your ophthalmologist or eye surgeon uses a laser to alter the shape of the cornea. Laser eye surgery improves how light rays concentrate on the retina. LASIK treats myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. The goal of LASIK eye surgery is to fix your refractive error to enhance your vision. LASIK surgery may reduce your need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. Sometimes, it may even allow you to do without them entirely. This surgery has become very common nowadays. It offers the patient a safe, quick, effective, and painless way to achieve more precise vision without needing glasses and even contact lenses.

What Are The Types Of LASIK Surgery?

There are different types of LASIK eye surgery. Some of these include the following:

• Bladeless LASIK: Bladeless LASIK is a blade-free LASIK surgery for vision correction. In bladeless LASIK surgery, the surgeon uses two types of lasers to correct the vision. In this surgery, a thin flap is formed in the cornea using the ultra-fast femtosecond laser. The flap is then lifted to access the cornea underneath for the application of the laser. The excimer laser of wavelength 193 nm is utilized to reshape the cornea. After reshaping the cornea, the flap formed earlier is repositioned back in a manner that there are no bubbles or debris.
• Wavefront-Guided LASIK: This method is the most advanced type of LASIK. It makes a three-dimensional eye image, measuring how light enters the cornea and traverses to the retina. It precisely attempts to correct all higher-order abnormalities, in addition to myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
• Topography-Guided LASIK: This type of LASIK surgery is a specialized form that uses precise maps of the cornea's surface to guide the laser treatment. These maps are formed using a topography device, which estimates the corneal curvature and identifies anomalies. By utilizing these detailed maps, the laser can reshape the cornea with increased accuracy, addressing common refractive errors like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, as well as more complicated abnormalities. This approach aims to improve vision quality and reduce problems like glare, halos, and night vision issues that can sometimes occur after traditional LASIK surgery.
• PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy): In PRK, your eye surgeon uses a laser to alter the shape of your cornea. This enhances the way light rays are concentrated on the retina.
• LASEK (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis): It is a simple method based on the detachment of the epithelial flap by an alcohol solution before applying laser energy, which reshapes the cornea. This hybrid procedure is an evolved form of PRK. With the dilute solution of alcohol and with a surgical spatula, the epithelial flap is gently detached, assembled, and folded away from the laser ablation area. At the conclusion, the epithelial flap is repositioned over the cornea. It is a better choice for patients who have thinner corneas.
• Epi-LASIK: Epi-LASIK is a laser vision correction technique that is very similar to LASEK. In epi-LASIK, the flap made on the cornea is very similar to a LASEK flap. In this procedure, the flap is separated from the underlying corneal layer (the stroma) with a tool known as an epithelial separator that has an oscillating plastic blade with a thin blunt edge. After this, the underlying central stroma is reshaped with an excimer laser. Because the epi-LASIK flap is so thin, the surgeon will typically apply a soft contact lens over the flap when repositioning it after the laser treatment.
• Laser Blended Vision (LBV): This laser procedure is best for presbyopic patients. Presbyopia is an age-related condition that affects near vision. In this procedure, one eye is corrected for distance vision, while the other eye is left slightly nearsighted. This monovision technique permits the brain to blend the images from both eyes, providing a broader range of clear vision from near to far.
• Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE): Small incision lenticule extraction is femtosecond laser-based, minimally invasive, flap-free refractive surgery. During the procedure, the laser is utilized to shape the disc, known as a lenticule. The same laser is then used to make a small incision of less than 4mm to remove the lenticule. The small incision created provides less transection of the nerves in the cornea, and that's directly related to how denervated the cornea becomes and also how much dry eye the patient experiences, particularly in the early postoperative period.
• ReLEx SMILE: ReLEx SMILE is an advanced version of SMILE that offers better precision and minimal disruption to the cornea during the procedure.

Cost Of Various Types Of LASIK Surgery In Chennai

What Factors Affect The Cost Of LASIK Surgery In Chennai?

Here are some factors that can influence the cost of LASIK surgery in Chennai:

• The reputation of the clinic: Highly reputed clinics with skilled and experienced surgeons and advanced facilities may charge more due to their track record of successful surgeries and high patient satisfaction.
• Expertise and experience of the surgeon: The surgeon's experience and skill level can affect the cost of LASIK surgery in Chennai. Surgeons with more expertise and a successful track record might charge more for their services, affecting the overall cost of surgery.
• Technology used: State-of-the-art technology, such as bladeless or wavefront-guided LASIK, can result in more satisfactory outcomes and higher expenses due to the equipment and maintenance involved in the procedure.
• Pre-op and Post-op Care: Comprehensive care before and after LASIK surgery, including consultations, follow-up appointments, etc., can be reflected in the overall cost of surgery in Chennai.
• Patient needs: Personal factors like the degree of vision correction required, the thickness of the cornea, and the overall eye health can influence the complexity of the procedure and, subsequently, the cost of LASIK surgery in Chennai.
• Insurance coverage: In some cases, insurance might cover a part of the LASIK surgery cost, which can help reduce out-of-pocket expenses of the patient.

To get the most precise estimate for LASIK surgery cost in Chennai, it's suggested to consult numerous clinics, ask about their pricing, and discuss your individual circumstances with healthcare professionals.

Does Insurance Cover The Cost Of LASIK Surgery In Chennai?

Many health insurance policies in Chennai offer coverage for LASIK surgery. However, it depends on numerous factors, including the type of insurance plan you have, the specific terms and coverage details, and the reasons for undergoing the surgery. LASIK surgery is covered by health insurance plans under the following conditions-

• LASIK surgery is needed because of a refractive error caused due to an injury or an accident.
• LASIK surgery is required for a refractive error caused due to another surgery.
• LASIK surgery is required for a refractive error of equal to or more than 7.5 dioptres.
• LASIK surgery is required because the person cannot wear glasses due to physical deformity or constant aches.
• Eye surgery is needed because the person cannot use contact lenses due to physical limitations or lack of tolerance for contact lenses.

It's essential to check your insurance policy or talk directly with your insurance provider to get exact information about coverage for LASIK surgery in Chennai.

FAQS

What is the time duration of the LASIK eye surgery?

Generally, the duration of LASIK-eye surgery depends on the individual case and the technology used by the surgeon to take care of the severity. However, the surgery may take around 15-20 minutes for the complete process, approximately taking 5-10 minutes per eye.

What is the cost of diagnostics tests performed before LASIK surgery in Chennai?

The costs for diagnostic tests before LASIK surgery in Chennai can vary depending on the clinic, the types of tests performed, and your city. Here's a general range of costs you might expect for some common diagnostic tests:

• Corneal Topography: This test maps the curvature of your cornea and can cost around Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 4,000.
• Pupil Dilation: This test might cost around Rs. 200 to Rs. 800.
• Wavefront Analysis: Costs for wavefront analysis can range from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 5,000 or more.
• Dry Eye Testing: This test is used to evaluate tear production and quality. It might cost around Rs. 800 to Rs. 1,500.
• Intraocular Pressure (IOP) Measurement: This test can cost approximately Rs. 200 to Rs. 900.

Is LASIK permanent?

The effects of LASIK are generally long-lasting, but some patients might experience minor changes in vision over time. In some instances, enhancements might be required to maintain optimal results.

Which costs of LASIK surgery are excluded from the insurance plan?

Health insurance plans exclude the coverage of the following:

• Eye drops prescribed after the surgery
• Routine eye checkups
• Visual aids or protection glasses
• Medicines or gel prescribed for long-term use

What is the eligibility for LASIK eye surgery?

LASIK eye treatment is a popular refractive eye surgery that enhances vision. However, not everyone can undergo the treatment. Some general factors that make people eligible for LASIK eye surgery are:

• The minimum age to undergo LASIK eye surgery is 18 years, as the eyes are changing their structure by that age.
• The patient should have stable vision for at least a year before treatment.
• The eyes of the patient should be healthy without any infection or inflammation.
• There should not be any prior history of surgery or injuries.