LASIK Laser Eye Surgery Cost in India

What are the different types of LASIK eye surgery and their prices?

The different types of LASIK eye surgery are:

1. Conventional LASIK - Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis is the traditional approach to LASIK eye treatment. With the advancements in ophthalmology, more advanced variations of LASIK treatment have also come into existence. In the conventional LASIK procedure, the cornea is reshaped using a standard excimer laser and the surgeon also carefully removes corneal tissues to make required adjustments for corrected vision. The average cost of conventional LASIK eye surgery in India lies between INR 20,000- INR 30,000.
2. SBK (Sub Bowman's Keratomileusis) - This is a relatively safer approach than conventional LASIK eye treatment and is cost-effective. SBK is preferred in cases of thin corneas. During SBK, the eye surgeon creates a highly consistent flap using a femtosecond laser or microkeratome. The doctor cautiously adjusts the cornea and repositions the flap accordingly. The average cost of SBK Lasik eye surgery in India lies between INR 30,000 - INR 40,000.
3. Femtosecond LASIK- This is a highly safe and efficient LASIK technique, also known as robotic bladeless LASIK. In this eye treatment, the flap is created with the help of an ultrafast femtosecond laser, and the excimer laser cuts the cornea as needed. The average cost of Femtosecond LASIK eye surgery in India is between INR 80,000 - INR 1,00,000.
4. SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) - It is also a premium LASIK eye surgery type. In this technique, the surgeon removes a minor part of the cornea, known as the lenticule, to correct refractive error. It is the best-suited technique for individuals with dry eye syndrome, high hyperopia and myopia. The average cost of SMILE Lasik eye surgery in India lies anywhere between 80,000- INR 1,00,000.
5. Contoura Vision LASIK Surgery- This is the latest type of LASIK eye treatment in which the cornea is modified as per the patient's needs. Advanced computer algorithms divide the cornea into more than 22000 points, which helps get precise results. The approximate cost of contour LASIK eye surgery can be anywhere between INR 95,000 to INR 1,05,000.

Factors that determine the LASIK surgery cost

Several factors influence the LASIK eye surgery cost in India. Following are some of the significant cost-determining factors for LASIK operation:

• Surgeon's Fee: The eye specialist's fee to perform LASIK eye surgery significantly influences the overall treatment cost from the first consultation to the last follow-up visit, a highly experienced surgeon charges more for the procedure than a doctor with lesser experience.
• Technique opted: The technology used is one of the most crucial factors influencing LASIK eye surgery costs in India. The more advanced the LASIK technique is, the higher the surgery cost.
• Pre-surgery/diagnostic tests: The doctor advises a series of diagnostic tests to understand which LASIK technique best suits the patient. The doctor also considers factors like cylindrical and spherical power, refractive error, corneal thickness, and more. Each test's average cost can be approximately INR 200 to INR 800, adding up to the overall LASIK eye surgery cost.
• The city chosen for eye treatment: The cost of LASIK eye treatment can also vary in different cities. Usually, the price is higher in metro cities with state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure and highly experienced medical professionals than in tier 2 and tier 3 cities.
• Post-surgery care: The doctor prescribes medication, protective gear/eye patch, and eye drops for fast and smooth recovery. The patient must be cautious as eyes are highly sensitive after the procedure and require good care. All these things add to India's exact cost of LASIK eye surgery. Further, the patient's insurance policy plan may not cover post-surgery follow-ups.

In addition to the factors above, the patient may have to bear more expenses during LASIK treatment in some cases. This happens when the patient faces post-surgery complications and needs to consult their eye specialist again.

Some of the potential post-surgery risks and complications for LASIK include the following:

1. Inflammation in the eye flap- The inflammation causes blurred vision and may even lead to vision loss. In such a scenario, it is necessary to remove the inflamed tissues to prevent irreparable eye damage. The treatment expense may be around INR 2,500 to INR 3,000 or even more.
2. Improper vision correction- In case of under-correction or overcorrection of vision during the LASIK eye surgery, the surgeon may advise undergoing another surgical procedure that may somewhat increase the LASIK surgery cost. Some healthcare providers may offer partial or complete coverage for the additional process.
3. Dryness in eyes- If the tear duct gets damaged during eye surgery, it may lead to persistent eye dryness. Initially, the doctor may prescribe eye drops costing approx INR 800 to INR 1,500. But, if the problem persists and drops prove ineffective, The doctor may advise the patient to undergo surgery that can cost approximately INR 15,000 to INR 25,000.

Furthermore, complications like double vision, halos, glare, and more usually resolve within a few days following eye surgery. If the patient develops eye conditions like glaucoma or cataract, they would need to undergo treatment which would add up to the final treatment cost.

Different health insurance plans that offer coverage for LASIK surgery cost in India

Following are the insurance plans that cover LASIK eye surgery:

How to reduce the cost of LASIK eye surgery?

Like any other surgical treatment, the cost of LASIK eye surgery is among the major concerns for many. In India, LASIK operation is one of the affordable treatments, and fortunately, there are ways to reduce the cost of LASIK eye surgery further. It is crucial to choose the right healthcare provider that offers comprehensive care, helps cut down the overall treatment expense for the patient, and accepts health insurance policies.