FAQs for Laser Vision Correction

1.     Am I suitable for refractive surgery?

Ans: An individual is suitable for laser vision correction if they are more than 18 years of age, have healthy eyes, and a stable refraction. The health of your eyes is assessed during the pre-surgery consultation. Based on your examination and scans, your consulting doctor will let you know about your suitability for the surgery.

2.     Which is the best procedure for my eyes?

Ans: Your doctor will advise you the best suited procedure based on your scans and the refractive error. In some instances, you may be suitable for all laser surgeries. In such cases, you may think about the advantages and disadvantages of each surgery to make your decision.

3.     When can I join work after surgery?

Ans: You can start working after one week of the surgery irrespective of whether you undergo LASIK or PRK or SMILE.

4.     How long do I have to use eyedrops?

Ans: Your eyedrops may go on for up to 4 weeks in case of SMILE and LASIK, while they may go on for even upto 3-6 months in PRK depending on your refractive error. Lubricating eye drops are used until the dryness symptoms resolve. Your surgeon will decide the eyedrops to be given. You will receive post-operative prescription of eyedrops and your doctor will advise you on the dose in each follow up visit.

5.     What if my vision is not 20/20 with glasses? Will laser vision correction improve it to 20/20?

Ans: Laser vision correction is designed to reshape the cornea to correct the spectacle power. After the surgery, you are expected to get as much vision as you have with your glasses currently. This also means that if your vision is less than 20/20 with spectacles, it is likely to remain the same after surgery as well.

6.     Will my refractive error be fully corrected after laser surgery?

Ans: During treatment usually the complete refractive error is corrected. However, during the healing of the eye, it is expected to get +/-0.5D of refractive error. Usually glasses are not needed for this kind of power and no recorrection is warranted. There are some special circumstances, where your surgeon might plan to leave some residual refractive error requiring glasses later. This is usually done in individuals with thin corneas and a high refractive error. Your surgeon will discuss this with you during the consultation.

7.     Am I going to be glass free throughout my life after the surgery?

Ans: Laser vision correction is done to correct the distance vision. After the age of 40 years, normal aging process causes every individual to develop weakness of muscles required for near vision. Therefore, near vision glasses are needed after that age. Laser vision correction will have no effect on this physiological change in your eyes.

Patients with very high refractive error, are also likely to get some power back after a few years. This may or may not need glasses.

8.     When should I visit emergency services after surgery?

Ans: After LASIK or SMILE, burning sensation, watering and redness is expected for a couple of days. If you have undergone a PRK surgery, lid swelling, pain, light sensitivity and watering is expected for initial 3-4 days. However, if you develop extreme pain, white spots or decreased vision at any time point, you might want to visit the emergency services to rule out infection of the eye.