Lasik Surgery Is One-time Expense: Dr Samir Sud

How has the lasik surgery evolved in the past one decade in India?
LASIK, or laser eye surgery is a surgical procedure used to correct myopia, farsightedness and other vision problems. It can reduce patients' dependence on prescription contact lenses and eyeglasses. This procedure has been around for years and has seen significant improvements in methods and technology in the recent years.

In less than 100 years, corneal surgery has gone from an experimental stage with blades to a highly-technical all-laser surgery. Since then, lasik surgery research and development has emphasized increased precision during surgery so the patients can have the best results possible.

One of the latest and biggest advancements in lasik surgery is the introduction of improved tools and technology. An excimer laser and microkeratome were originally used to cut a corneal flap. Then after, Kremer Excimer Laser was approved by the FDA in 1995, which was equipped with eye-tracking technology that vastly improved efficacy and safety.

Then after, the first femtosecond laser was approved in the US in 2001, and became the preferred tool for lasik surgery. It came with better vision improvement and a lowered risk of complications. It’s cleaner, more precise, and can also be used in cataract surgery.

Wavefront lasik was approved two years later, which included evaluating the characteristics of the patient’s eye and also allowed doctors to provide a customized procedure with 3D mapping.

The lasik surgery has improved by leaps and bounds over the past two decades. It was the most popular elective surgery by 2010. Approximately 95 per cent of patients who had lasik reported satisfaction with the results.

In the nutshell, as tools and methods continue to improve, so will the appeal and reliability of lasik surgery. Most of the device is equipped with eye tracking technology that improves efficiency and safety. Also, lasik surgery improves vision and reduces the risk of complications. It is cleaner, clearer and can also be used in cataract surgery.

What is the most common myth surrounding lasik surgery in India?
Lasik is a popular eye surgery for people with refractive errors. While it has proven to be safe, effective, and useful, there are many myths and misconceptions surrounding it. Check out some of the common myths about Lasik and remove your misconception around Lasik treatment.

Myth No. 1: Lasik is painful

Myth No. 2: No matter who does the procedure, the result is the same.

Myth No. 3: Lasik is everyone's choice.

Myth No. 4: The effect of Lasik surgery can last for several years.

Myth No. 5: Lasik can cause blindness

Myth No. 6: Lasik is still a new procedure and its long-term side effects are unknown.

Myth No. 7: Only people with myopia can do Lasik.

Myth No. 8: Most people can't afford lasik surgery.

Myth No. 9: My age is not suitable for Lasik.

Myth No. 10: Recovery takes a long time after Lasik surgery.

Myth No. 11: The laser burns your eyes and you can feel it.

Myth No. 12: If I blink, move around, or sneeze, you may mess up the whole procedure.

Often people think that lasik is a very expensive surgery. Your thoughts and views on the same.
The Lasik procedure is costly due to expensive nature of infrastructure and machines associated with surgery and also it is difficult to master skills of the surgeon.

However, lasik surgery is a one-time expense. Lasik surgery uses lasers to repair the cornea by re shaping it which allows the light to seamlessly reach the retina, improving human vision. Most corneal reshaping procedures are a one-time cost. It is a one –time cost.

Lasik surgery is one of the best options when it comes to safety, with a complication rate of less than 0.03 per cent. The technology and equipment used for vision correction are USFDA-approved and the surgery is carried out by an experienced ophthalmologist and surgeon.

How has cataract surgery evolved in the recent times?
Fortunately, cataract surgery has come a long way in recent years. Laser-assisted surgery is the latest development. In this method, the ophthalmologist uses a laser to create an incision in the cornea. This bladeless cut provides unmatched accuracy and precision. Ophthalmologists prepare 3D images of the eye with the help of optical coherence tomography and perform the surgery.

Another, latest advancements in cataract surgery is the use of technology called ORA (Optiwave Refractive Analysis), refractive index measurement - a tool that surgeons come to optionally increase the strength and position of the lens.

At what stage should people opt for cataract surgery?
Most age-related cataracts are part of aging, so simply "having" a cataract does not mean it should be removed. Many people with cataracts do not have noticeable symptoms. If you have been told that you have a cataract, but it does not interfere with your activities of daily living or prevent you from living a productive and active life, your doctor will tell you that you can treat cataracts.

However, if you are experiencing difficulty in reading, disabling glare while riding a vehicle or difficulty engaging in your day to day life activities– it may be time to consider cataract surgery. In nutshell, the perfect time to remove a cataract depends on the patient and their symptoms. However, if an individual has cataracts in both eyes that both require surgeries, these surgeries will usually be performed a few days apart. Cataract surgery on both eyes at the same time is not recommended because there is a possibility of complications affecting both eyes, which may also lead to eye infection.

What are the latest techniques being used by you in Cataract and Lasik Surgery?
We perform Robotic Femto Cataract Surgery and Touchless Lasik Eye Surgery for Lasik. In Robotic Femto cataract surgery, a femtosecond laser machine is docked on to the eye and images of the eye are caught by an imaging system attached to it. The incision of the cornea, the opening of the lens capsule and disintegration of the lens is performed automatically. The process takes less than five minutes.

Meanwhile, Touchless Lasik eye surgery is the latest laser technology that helps in correcting vision related problems. In Lasik and Femtosecond lasik Laser techniques, corneal tissue is cut by a special knife or a laser beam and then the corrective eye surgery is performed.