LASIK eye surgery is a common form of refractive surgery performed using a laser beam for rectifying vision issues. It is an effective alternative for those who want to quit glasses or get freedom from contact lenses as it helps you get rid of myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism. In this process, an enhanced cutting blade or a laser is used for accurately reshaping the flap-like tissue found in the corner of your eyes.
In an eye showcasing normal vision, the cornea easily refracts the light perfectly on your retina and then towards the eye. When you have an eye defect, the light bends in a different direction and doesn’t fall directly on the retina, thus causing blurriness or inappropriate vision. LASIK is performed within 5-10 minutes and after its completion, the patient feels a minor irritation or a burning perception which fades away in a short while. The patient experiences watery eyes and may face sensitivity toward the light and blurred eyesight with a slight uneasiness.
The surgery is not at all painful and prior to your operation, your ophthalmologist will put a few drops of an anesthetic which acts as a numbing agent for your eyes. You may feel a slight pressure on your eyes during the surgical process though. At this point in the surgery, you may become aware of new sounds and smells. The pulse of the laser makes a ticking sound. As the laser removes corneal tissue, some people have reported a smell similar to burning hair.
Dr. Priyanka Singh (MBBS, MS, DNB, FAICO)( Specialist in cataract, LASIK, Oculoplastic surgery & facial aesthetics)The Chief Eye Surgeon at Neytra Eye Center, New Delhi shares her valuable opinion in the form of do’s and don’ts to be practiced before and after the surgery as follows:
- Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water before you get your surgery done. A higher water intake promotes faster healing.
- Stop using your contact lenses before you get your LASIK surgery done. If you continue wearing your contacts prior to your surgery, the flexibility and shape of your cornea will be compromised and will affect the overall results of your procedure. Thus, switch to your glasses a few days before your surgery has been scheduled.
- Avoid using eye makeup once or two weeks post-LASIK surgery as it can lead to the deposition of residual debris in your eyelashes which further leads to eye infection.
- Do not exercise for at least 7 days after your surgery. You can practice light-weight exercises though, but do not go for heavy ones as they can put strain on your eye nerves and won’t let your operated eye heal.
- It is strictly advised that you do not use your digital screens for at least 3 days post your LASIK surgery.
- Do not touch your eyes for at least three days post-operation.
- Do not drive a vehicle for at least three days after your surgery.
Side effects associated with LASIK surgery are almost nil. Some complications are associated with LASIK and thus your eye doctor recommends a thorough pre-LASIK work-up to clearly rule out any conditions that complicate the surgery.
Once the surgery is performed – the patient is given a protective shield to save the eyes from constant irritation as you may end up rubbing your eyes and hurt your eyes in the long run. The shield also lessens the pressure exerted on your eyes while you are sleeping. A few patients may develop dry eyes after LASIK surgery that improves within one or two months. So you should not worry as the symptoms fade away with time. (2-3 months).
The cost of LASIK surgery lies between 30-40K INR for both eyes which goes up to 1L INR depending on the kind of LASIK involved during LASIK surgery. You should let your surgeon decide the kind of treatment that is suitable for you as per your vision defects and eye condition.
Book an appointment soon to schedule an immediate consultation and finalize your LASIK surgery at Neytra Eye Care soon at Saket, New Delhi. ‘We are happy to serve our customers and appreciate your valuable feedback.’