About Refractive Surgery
Key Highlights
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Significantly reduces or eliminates dependence on glasses and contact lenses.Rapid visual recovery, often with noticeable improvement within 24 hours.High patient satisfaction and success rates for suitable candidates.Quick, outpatient procedure typically completed in under 30 minutes for both eyes.Offers long-term vision correction with stable results.Can correct a wide range of refractive errors including myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Myopia (nearsightedness) where distant objects appear blurry.
- Hyperopia (farsightedness) where near objects are difficult to see clearly.
- Astigmatism, causing blurred or distorted vision at all distances.
- Presbyopia (age-related difficulty focusing on near objects) in specific procedures.
- Stable vision prescription for at least one year prior to surgery.
- Patient desire to be less dependent on corrective eyewear for lifestyle, career, or recreational activities.
- Good overall eye health with no active diseases like keratoconus, severe dry eye, or cataracts.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive eye examination to determine candidacy, including corneal thickness mapping and pupil measurement.
- Discontinuation of contact lenses for a period specified by the surgeon (typically 2-4 weeks for soft lenses, longer for hard lenses).
- Detailed discussion with the ophthalmologist about expectations, potential risks, and the specific surgical technique.
- Avoid using eye makeup, creams, or perfumes on the day of surgery.
- Arrange for transportation to and from the surgical facility, as you will not be able to drive immediately after.
- Informed consent process after all questions have been answered.
Risks & possible complications
- Dry eyes, which is common and usually temporary but can sometimes be persistent.
- Visual disturbances such as glare, halos, or starbursts around lights, especially at night.
- Undercorrection or overcorrection, potentially requiring an enhancement procedure.
- Infection or inflammation, though rare with proper sterile technique and post-op care.
- Corneal flap complications (specific to LASIK), such as wrinkles or displacement.
- Rare but serious risks include significant vision loss or ectasia (corneal thinning and bulging).
Recovery & hospital stay
- Immediate rest is advised; you may experience a gritty sensation, tearing, and light sensitivity for a few hours.
- Use prescribed antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops exactly as directed to prevent infection and control inflammation.
- Wear protective eye shields, especially while sleeping, for the first few nights to avoid accidental rubbing.
- Avoid rubbing your eyes, swimming, using hot tubs, and strenuous activities for at least 1-2 weeks.
- Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments (typically at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month post-op) for monitoring.
- Vision may fluctuate during the first few weeks as it stabilizes; use artificial tears as recommended for dryness.
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Typical hospital stay: 0 days (Outpatient procedure)
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Expected recovery time: 1-2 weeks for primary recovery, 3-6 months for full visual stabilization
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering refractive surgery in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for refractive surgery in India include Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Manipal Hospital Goa , known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform refractive surgery. MediFyr helps you compare ophthalmologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for refractive surgery compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 40 Thousand – 120 Thousand | 0 days (Outpatient procedure) | ~ 1-2 weeks for primary recovery, 3-6 months for full visual stabilization | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 140 Thousand – 420 Thousand | 0 days (Outpatient procedure) | ~ 1-2 weeks for primary recovery, 3-6 months for full visual stabilization | Know More |
Top hospitals for Refractive Surgery in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated ophthalmology teams and experience managing patients undergoing refractive surgery.
Anika Brown, a 28-year-old graphic designer,...
Anika Brown, a 28-year-old graphic designer, had worn glasses since she was 10 and contact lenses since 16. Her high myopia (-6.00 in both eyes) meant she was functionally blind without correction. Her active lifestyle of hiking and swimming was constantly hampered by her dependence on lenses, which also caused chronic dry eye and irritation. Her ophthalmologist, after a comprehensive evaluation confirming her corneas were thick enough, recommended LASIK as a safe and effective option. Anika chose bladeless LASIK. The procedure itself was quick; she felt pressure but no pain. Recovery involved 24 hours of mild burning and light sensitivity, followed by remarkably clear vision the next morning. Emotionally, she moved from years of frustration and a feeling of being 'tethered' to her lenses to profound liberation and joy. Waking up and seeing the alarm clock clearly for the first time in decades was an emotional moment that reshaped her daily confidence.
Ophthalmologists for Refractive Surgery
Explore experienced ophthalmologists who regularly perform refractive surgery and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 21 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 27 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 5 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 28 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
- 28 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 23 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 19 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
- 15 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 12 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 9 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 20 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata
- 9 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Millers Road, Bangalore
- 17 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Ranchi, Ranchi
- 16 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 13 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 10 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist