DR. ASHOK EYE HOSPITAL

Refractive Surgery - LASIK / ICL

Spectacles are an aid to see better, however, not everyone needs it. It is required because the dimensions of the eye do not bring the rays of light entering the eye to a clear focus on the retina.

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Refractive Surgery

This could be because of the length of the eye, longer eye causes myopia or short sightedness or need for “minus” power glasses, shorter eye causes hyperopia or long sightedness or “plus” power glasses.
The plus or minus power is called spherical power.

What are the options if a person wants crisp vision and still not want to wear glasses?

Contact lenses
Time tested, easy to use, daily/fortnightly/monthly disposable options are available, can be bought in colours too for the fashion conscious. A certain amount of care is required, which if meticulously followed will not give any long term problems.
LASIK
An acronym for the procedure called Laser Assisted in-Situ Keratomileusis. A procedure where the shape of the cornea (the transparent front structure of the eye) is altered with extreme precision to correct the refractive error and without causing any damage to the nearby structures. In this procedure a flap is raised of the cornea and the laser (based on numerous calculations) is applied to the bed and the flap is reposited. The flap is raised with the help of a microkeratome. Recovery is rapid and spectacle free vision can be expected.
Femto LASIK

The primary advantage for the use of femtosecond lasers in corneal refractive surgery is the improved safety over microkeratomes in creation of the lamellar flap. Additional advantages includes

  1. Increased precision
  2. Customization
  3. Ease of surgery

Femtosecond lasers allow for customization of the flap for each patient. In addition to producing reliable flap thicknesses, the flap diameter can be selected to one-tenth of a millimeter.
Femtosecond lasers are state of the art lasers that offer more surgical precision than current manual techniques.

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) It was the original kind and is still sometimes used. It involves gently scraping the surface layer off the cornea and then using a laser beam to re-shape it. The healing takes a few days more than the LASIK procedure described above but in some corneal conditions this is safer and also gives good results. Your eye surgeon is the best person to help you decide which procedure will suit your eyes better.
Epi LASIK
Epi LASIK ( Epithelial Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis: EPI LASIK) It is a procedure, which combines the advantages of PRK and LASIK, Epilasik involves the use of an epikeratome, where only the superficial epithelial layer of cornea is removed.
Wave front-guided/ Wave front optimised LASIK
Wave front-guided/ Wave front optimised LASIK It is also referred to as custom LASIK or wave front LASIK, is similar to conventional LASIK, except that in addition to treating a patient’s basic refractive error, specific distortion in a patient’s eye (higher order aberrations) can also be treated.

ICL implantation

There are some eyes which are not suited for any of the above mentioned laser procedures to correct the “power” in them.

These patients can undergo ICL (Intraocular Collamer Lens) placement within the eye(s) which is an intraocular procedure unlike LASIK which is a procedure on the surface of the eye. ICL surgeries today have a very high success rate and keep the persons spectacle independent.

The added advantage is that the procedure is reversible. Specific tests are needed to confirm the eye is suitable to have an ICL placed within.

CLE (Clear Lens Extraction) with multifocal lens implantation

This is a procedure where the non-cataractous (crystalline) lens of the eye is removed by phacoemulsification and a multifocal / trifocal / EDOF lens is placed giving spectacle independent vision for all ranges.

This is an intraocular procedure and the benefit is that a future cataract surgery will not be required.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use cashless insurance for LASIK or ICL treatment?

Cashless insurance for LASIK is not covered by most insurers as they label it as cosmetic. That said its availability depends on your insurer, policy conditions, and the hospital’s network status. Contact the hospital’s insurance desk to verify whether your plan is accepted.

Who is a good candidate for LASIK surgery?

LASIK is generally suitable for adults with a stable glasses prescription, healthy corneas, and no significant eye diseases.From the age of 19 if the refraction is stable, a comprehensive eye examination and corneal topography will help determine whether LASIK is the right option or if another vision correction procedure would be more appropriate.

What is the difference between LASIK and ICL?

LASIK reshapes the cornea using a laser to correct refractive errors, while ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) involves placing a specially designed lens inside the eye without removing the natural lens. The best option depends on your eye power, corneal thickness, topography parameters and overall eye health.

Is LASIK surgery painful?

LASIK is typically performed under numbing eye drops, so most patients experience little to no pain during the procedure. Some mild irritation or dryness may occur for a short period afterward.

How long does LASIK surgery take?

The laser portion of LASIK usually takes only a few minutes per eye, and the entire procedure is often completed within 20–30 minutes. All patients return home the same day.

How soon can I return to work after LASIK or ICL surgery?

Many patients resume routine activities within one or two days after LASIK, while recovery after ICL surgery may vary depending on individual healing and the surgeon's advice. Your ophthalmologist will provide personalized guidance.

Can LASIK permanently remove the need for glasses?

LASIK significantly reduces dependence on glasses or contact lenses for many people, but vision can naturally change with age. Some patients may still require reading glasses later in life.

Who should consider ICL instead of LASIK?

ICL may be recommended for patients with high refractive errors, thin corneas, or other factors that make laser vision correction less suitable. Eligibility is determined after specialized eye testing.

What tests are done before LASIK or ICL surgery?

A pre-operative evaluation typically includes vision testing, corneal mapping(topography), dry eye testing, eye power measurement, pupil assessment, and a detailed examination of overall eye health to ensure the safest and most effective treatment plan.

How long do the results of LASIK last?

For most patients, the correction achieved with LASIK is long-lasting. However, age-related changes such as presbyopia or cataracts can affect vision in later years.

How do I book a LASIK or ICL consultation in Chennai?

You can schedule a consultation by contacting the eye hospital directly. During the visit, the ophthalmologist will evaluate your eyes, discuss your visual goals, and recommend whether LASIK, ICL, or another refractive procedure is best suited for you.

Will the hospital help with insurance documentation and claims?

Yes, many hospitals assist patients by providing the necessary medical records, estimates, invoices, and supporting documents required for insurance reimbursement or claim processing.

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