LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a laser vision correction procedure that reshapes the cornea to correct refractive errors like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. The surgeon creates a thin corneal flap using a femtosecond laser, then uses an excimer laser to reshape the underlying corneal tissue. The flap is then repositioned naturally without stitches. The entire procedure takes only 10-15 minutes for both eyes, and vision improves within 24 hours.

LASIK is the most common procedure where a corneal flap is created and an excimer laser reshapes the cornea. SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is flapless – a femtosecond laser creates a small lens-shaped tissue (lenticule) inside the cornea which is removed through a tiny 2-4mm incision, making it better for dry eyes and contact sports. Contoura Vision (Topography-Guided LASIK) is the most advanced LASIK that maps 22,000 unique elevation points on your cornea to create a completely personalized treatment, delivering superior visual quality with reduced halos and glare.

LASIK surgery cost in Mumbai ranges from Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 70,000 for both eyes depending on the technology used. SMILE surgery costs between Rs. 80,000 to Rs. 1,20,000 for both eyes. Contoura Vision (Topography-Guided LASIK) costs Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 90,000 for both eyes. PRK/Surface Ablation costs Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 50,000. ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) surgery costs Rs. 90,000 to Rs. 1,50,000 for both eyes. Most insurance companies do NOT cover LASIK as it is considered cosmetic.

Yes, LASIK is one of the safest elective surgical procedures in the world with a success rate of over 96%. The procedure has been performed for more than 25 years with over 40 million procedures worldwide. At Topax Eye Care, we use the world’s fastest laser with 500 Hz eye tracking and 6D eye tracking technology for unmatched precision. Dr. Jignesh Gala has performed over 25,780 surgeries with excellent outcomes. As with any surgery, there are risks, but serious complications are extremely rare when performed by an experienced surgeon on properly selected candidates.

You may be a good candidate for LASIK if you: are 18 years or older, have had stable glasses/contact lens prescription for at least 1 year, have sufficient corneal thickness (usually >500 microns), have healthy eyes with no diseases like keratoconus or severe dry eye, are not pregnant or nursing, and have realistic expectations. A comprehensive pre-LASIK evaluation including corneal topography, pachymetry, dry eye assessment, and dilated eye examination is essential to determine your suitability.

LASIK recovery is remarkably quick. Most patients can see clearly within 24 hours. Day 0: Rest for 4-6 hours after surgery, mild watering and foreign body sensation. Day 1: Vision dramatically improves, can resume normal daily activities, first follow-up visit. Week 1: Vision stabilizes further, can resume light exercise, avoid swimming and eye makeup. Month 1: Vision continues to sharpen, night driving becomes comfortable. Month 3: Final visual outcome achieved, all restrictions lifted. SMILE has similar recovery, while PRK takes 1-2 weeks for vision to clear.

Generally, LASIK is NOT covered by most insurance companies in India as it is considered a cosmetic/elective procedure. However, there are exceptions: if the refractive power is more than -7.0 dioptres (considered a disability), keratoconus treatment (C3R/CXL), anisometropia in children (significant power difference between eyes), and post-traumatic refractive errors. Cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery, and retina surgery are covered by insurance. Always check with your specific insurer for their policy on refractive surgery.

Dr. Jignesh Gala uses the world’s fastest LASIK laser at Topax Eye Care – THE LASIK HUB. The technology includes: Schwind AMARIS 500E laser platform with 500 Hz repetition rate for extremely fast treatment (approximately 10 seconds per dioptre), 6D eye tracking that follows even the tiniest eye movements in 6 dimensions, bladeless femtosecond laser for creating the corneal flap with micron-level precision, topography-guided treatment for personalized vision correction, and integrated diagnostic suite for comprehensive pre-operative assessment.

Common temporary side effects include dry eyes (managed with lubricating drops), glare and halos around lights at night (usually resolve within weeks), mild discomfort for first 24 hours, and light sensitivity. Rare complications include corneal flap issues, infection (less than 0.1%), under-correction or over-correction (can be enhanced), corneal ectasia (in pre-existing weak corneas), and regression of effect over time. At Topax Eye Care, our rigorous screening process and advanced technology minimize these risks significantly.

ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) surgery involves implanting a specially designed biocompatible lens inside the eye, between the iris and the natural lens, without removing the natural lens. It is recommended for: very high myopia (-8D to -20D) beyond LASIK range, thin corneas unsuitable for laser procedures, patients with dry eye who want to avoid laser, and those seeking a reversible option. ICL provides excellent quality of vision, UV protection, and is completely reversible. Cost ranges from Rs. 90,000 to Rs. 1,50,000 for both eyes.

LASIK can correct myopia up to approximately -8.0 dioptres, hyperopia up to +4.0 dioptres, and astigmatism up to 4.0 dioptres. However, the final decision depends on your corneal thickness and topography. For powers beyond LASIK range, SMILE can correct up to -10D myopia, and ICL surgery is available for very high myopia from -8D to -20D. During your consultation at Topax Eye Care, Dr. Jignesh Gala will perform detailed measurements to determine which procedure is safest and most effective for your specific prescription.

Before LASIK: Stop wearing contact lenses (soft lenses: 1 week before, toric/RPV lenses: 2-3 weeks before, hard lenses: 4 weeks before). Do not use eye makeup, creams, or perfumes on the day of surgery. Arrange for someone to drive you home. Eat a light meal before coming. Bring your current glasses and prescription. The pre-LASIK evaluation takes about 2-3 hours and includes comprehensive tests like corneal topography, pachymetry, wavefront analysis, tear film assessment, dilated fundus examination, and IOP measurement.

The vast majority of LASIK patients achieve 6/6 (20/20) vision or better and do not need glasses for distance vision. However, LASIK does not prevent age-related near vision loss (presbyopia) that typically begins around age 40-45. After 40, you may need reading glasses for near work. Some patients may experience minor regression over time, particularly those with very high original prescriptions. An enhancement procedure may be possible if sufficient corneal tissue remains. Regular eye check-ups help monitor your vision long-term.

The minimum age for LASIK is 18 years, as the eye should be fully developed and the prescription stable. The ideal age range is 21-40 years. After age 40, presbyopia (difficulty reading up close) sets in, so you may need monovision LASIK (one eye for distance, one for near) or continue using reading glasses. There is no upper age limit for LASIK if your eyes are healthy, though cataract formation after 60 may make lens-based procedures more appropriate. The key requirement is stable prescription for at least 1 year.

LASIK surgery is virtually painless. Numbing eye drops are applied before the procedure, so you will not feel any pain during surgery. Some patients report mild pressure sensation when the corneal flap is created. The laser treatment itself is completely painless – you may hear a clicking sound and smell a faint odor (the laser interacting with corneal tissue). After the numbing drops wear off (about 30 minutes), you may experience a gritty sensation, light sensitivity, and watering for 4-6 hours. Prescribed eye drops and oral medication manage this discomfort effectively.

Contoura Vision is an advanced form of LASIK that uses corneal topography to create a highly personalized treatment plan. Unlike standard LASIK which treats based only on your glasses prescription, Contoura maps 22,000 unique elevation points on your cornea to identify and correct even the most subtle corneal irregularities. This topography-guided approach delivers: superior visual quality beyond 20/20, significant reduction in night glare and halos, better contrast sensitivity, and treatment tailored to each eye’s unique anatomy. Cost ranges from Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 90,000 for both eyes.

It is recommended to rest your eyes completely on the day of surgery. From Day 1, you can gradually resume screen usage with precautions: use lubricating drops every 2 hours, follow the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds), ensure proper lighting, and avoid prolonged continuous screen use for the first week. Most patients comfortably return to full computer work within 2-3 days. Your doctor will provide specific guidelines based on your individual healing progress.

You don’t need to worry about blinking during LASIK. A small device called an eyelid speculum gently holds your eyelids open during the procedure, making it physically impossible to blink. Additionally, our laser has advanced 6D eye tracking technology that follows your eye movements in real-time – if your eye moves beyond a safe range, the laser automatically pauses and resumes when the eye is back in position. The tracking system compensates for even the tiniest involuntary movements, ensuring precise treatment delivery.

The actual laser treatment takes only 10-15 minutes for both eyes. However, you should plan to be at the centre for about 2-3 hours total. This includes pre-procedure preparation (numbing drops, marking the eye, setting up the laser), the actual surgery (creating the flap: 20-30 seconds per eye, laser reshaping: 10-30 seconds per eye depending on prescription), and post-procedure rest and initial check. At Topax Eye Care, we perform LASIK as a walk-in, walk-out day procedure with no hospital admission required.

Dr. Jignesh Gala is a triple board-certified eye surgeon (FRCS Glasgow, MRCS Edinburgh, FICO London) with 12+ years of experience and 25,780+ surgeries performed. He trained at the prestigious LV Prasad Eye Institute and further honed his skills in the UK and Singapore. He owns and operates both Crystal Clear Eye and Topax Eye Care (THE LASIK HUB), which features the world’s fastest LASIK laser. With 162,000+ patients treated, he combines international expertise with personalized care. Dr. Namrata Bhuta, co-director at Topax Eye Care, adds specialized expertise in advanced refractive procedures.