Smile your way through Lasik says a girl from Mumbai

Shraddha is a brilliant, young and highly ambitious girl. She grew up in Surat and then moved to Mumbai for education and work. She works at a MNC and has been one of the youngest person to scale the ladder and reach the position of vice president.

She used to wear contact lenses but was often troubled by the constant care her eyes needed when she was wearing her contact lenses. She could not take short naps and could not just go into the pool for a refreshing swim at the end of the day. She really wanted an optimal solution for that and wanted to improve the quality of her life. However, just like everyone else she was worried and had lots of questions and apprehensions. She did a thorough research and gained knowledge about all the different types of Lasik, possible reasons for unhappiness later etc.

When she presented to the Centre for Lasik surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute, she knew everything about us. In fact, she directly asked me why your name show up a lot on google search for Lasik and commented that we must be doing a very good search engine optimization. Thank god, unlike many other doctors, I knew about SEO and could actually have a discussion with her about it.

We did a detailed pre-Lasik evaluation for her. Tests performed included refraction with and without dilating eye drops, corneal topography, corneal thickness assessment, dry eye tests, muscle balance tests, retina and optic nerve checking. All this took around an hour. She commented that she did not realise that there are so many tests that needed to be done! After her tests, she was again brought back to my consulting chamber for a detailed discussion. She had a set of questions-

1. Which Lasik should I opt for?

All her tests were normal. I did not have any special concerns. We discussed about the pros and cons of all the different types of Lasik. She understood that even though conventional Lasik is a great procedure and has been around for more than 2 decades, there are more advanced options now available.

Femtolasik is superior compared to Lasik. Femtolasik is not just safer but also more predictable, allows better healing and better customization of the flap parameters.

ReLEx Smile on the other hand is the most advanced procedure and is a novel form of ‘flapless’ laser vision correction surgery. As opposed to Lasik where a flap is created in the cornea, SMILE makes use of femtosecond lasers to make a tiny (3-4 mm small) hole in the periphery of the cornea. The same laser beam also creates a tiny disc of the corneal tissue. This disc is then removed from the tiny incision, thus changing the shape of the cornea, and correcting the eye power. This is akin to key-hole surgery.

ReLEx SMILE vs LASIK

After smile lasik most people can get back to work in just one day. The discomfort after the procedure is minimal and long term safety is maximum. So, after discussing different types of Lasik I left the choice to her.

2. What is the risk of complications?

Just like any other surgery on human body, Lasik can have its own risks and side effects. It is a good thing to be aware of them but that should not become a limiting factor in someone’s decision if the pre-Lasik tests have been normal. The chances that something can go wrong either during or after the procedure are extremely small. If a machine malfunctions during the procedure we can just abandon the procedure and save patients eye completely. The procedure can be repeated after 2-3 months. In case patient experiences any side effects or complications then the treatment of course depends on the nature of the problem.

Most common side effects that people experience after Lasik includes dry eyes, night vision issues like haloes and glare and sometimes a residual refractive error. For most of these issues require minor life style modifications like frequent breaks from digital devices, use of lubricating eye drops and use of anti-reflective glasses at night till neuro-adaptation reduces the night vision symptoms. For the residual eye power after ensuing the stability of eye power an enhancement procedure can be done. Though in my clinical practise the need for an enhancement has been less than 0.1%.

3.Will my eye power come back in future?

Lasik is a laser based surgery in which cornea is reshaped with the help of laser. The change of curvature of the cornea helps in reducing the eye power. In majority of people after Lasik the effect is permanent. However, a small minority of people may notice blurring of vision in future due to some new eye power. This is either due to minor regression or natural changes occurring in the eye.  Special situations like pregnancy, hormonal treatments and diabetes in future can affect the stability and may cause some eye power to appear in the eye. Laser eye surgery, no matter how successful, cannot halt the natural changes in our eyes as we age. Some of the biggest changes in our eyesight usually occur during our forties. Close up vision becomes blurred and this is called ‘Presbyopia’. This loss of the ability to focus on close objects is a natural ageing process of the eye. If you have opted for LASIK surgery in your 20’3s or 30’s, then you will also need reading glasses as you cross the golden age of 40.

Besides this, we discussed some other minor issues. Shraddha opted for ReLEx Smile. According to her she really smiled her way through Lasik. Had she known it will be so quick and painless she would have opted for it much earlier and not gone through the hassles of contact lens wear and maintenance.

About Centre for Lasik Surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute at Sanpada, Navi Mumbai: Centre for Lasik Surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute is a state of art center for all those who want to get freedom from glasses. It is one of the most advanced centers for glass removal in western India.

Dr Vandana Jain – Lasik Surgeon expert

All different procedures like Lasik, Femto Lasik, PRK, EpiLasik, ReLEx Smile Lasik, LasikXtra and ICL implantation are available under one roof. It has become very popular and trusted center for the residents of Vashi, Sanpada, Nerul, CBD Belapur, Kharghar, Panvel, Koparkhairane, Chembur and other parts of Navi Mumbai and Mumbai.

About Dr. Vandana Jain: Dr. Vandana Jain is an expert Cornea and Lasik surgeon. She has vast experience of performing laser vision correction procedures over a decade. She is well versed with all the latest techniques and advancements in laser vision correction procedures like LASIK, Femto Lasik, Smile Lasik, PRK, etc.

Expert Lasik Surgeon

Dr. Jain ensures that all the patients undergo a detailed pre Lasik evaluation and then the best procedure and the technique is chosen for the patient to get satisfying results and to ensure long term safety.

Advanced Eye Hospital And Institute (AEHI) can be reached at (O): +91 22 67313636, (Emergency): +91 9167360360 or even through Email: contactus@advancedeyehospital.com

Or you can make an appointment online through this link: BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

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Patient satisfaction after Lasik surgery for glass removal

What is LASIK?

Lasik is a laser based surgery which helps in reducing eye power by altering corneal curvature. Millions of people worldwide have undergone Lasik surgery and got freedom from glasses. It has become a preferred option for many people to get reduced dependence on glasses.

Patient satisfaction after LASIK:

Quality of vision and patient satisfaction after LASIK is difficult to assess as so many factors and parameters must be considered to accurately measure these endpoints. Till date all the surveys that have been conducted so far have shown an overwhelming 90-95% happy and satisfied patient with their results after Lasik. Even though 95% is a great percentage however as a Lasik Surgeon the question is why 100% people are not satisfied after the Lasik surgery? I think again and always ended up with various factors that play a role which I have enlisted below.

 Factors to be considered for Lasik:

Pre-existing variables:

1. Patient age
2. Decreased Corneal Toricity
3. Increased pupil size.
4. Night vision symptoms.
5. Dry Eyes
6. Reduced contrast sensitivity

Surgical factors:

1. Decentration
2. Ablation-zone size
3. Active eye tracking etc can affect quality of vision.

These factors can impact patient satisfaction. Controlling these factors thus can improve patient satisfaction. One of the good things is that with newer and more advanced surgeries like wave front guided femto Lasik, Relex Smile Lasik, Topography guided advanced surface ablation can minimize some of these issues. However a lot also depends on the patient expectations and the possibility of good outcomes after the surgery given the variables which may be case based.

Few patient stories and how Lasik changed their life positively:

1. A 35 yr old who decided to change careers after lasik:

I often remember Ram’s story when I think about patient satisfaction after Lasik surgery. He came to Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute in Navi Mumbai to explore the option of Lasik surgery. He wanted to learn swimming and wanted to go for diving and decided to get freedom from glasses. A detailed pre-Lasik evaluation was done for him. He was 35 years old and had a moderate myopia. His pupil size was 7.1 mm. Rest of the pre-lasik tests were all good. He wanted to get Femto Lasik done. I discussed with him the possibility of more night vision issues such as glare due to the large pupil size after femto Lasik. He understood the consequences ad still opted to go ahead with the Femto Lasik surgery. He had been one of the happiest people that I have seen after the Lasik surgery. His first diving experience was so awesome that he actually decided to change his profession and got certified to become a profession diver.

In case of Ram the satisfaction was 100%. Such experiences are a delight for Lasik surgeons like me. Similar such patient satisfaction outcomes spring from life changing experiences for many of our patients who undergo Lasik surgery.

2. How Lasik helped Swapnila gain her self-esteem:

Swapnila had always worn thick glasses and in her mind she was an ugly girl. This led to a low self-esteem and affected her entire life style. After her Lasik surgery she started dressing up better. Her outlook and self-image changed completely. She suddenly realized that she is a very pretty girl. Within a year of her Lasik she got married to her prince charming that she had dreamt about and today lives a very happy life. So whether it is a change of profession or change of self-image, Lasik surgery impacts the lives of many such people in a very positive manner. These are the cases where I think the satisfaction rate is more than 100%. Even though they may have some small eye issues after Lasik surgery but the impact on their life is so great that they do not let these minor issues take away their happiness and satisfaction from the procedure.

Perfect yet Imperfect!!

Lasik surgery is not a perfect surgery and has its own limitations. It is important for everyone who is considering Lasik surgery to understand all the nuances, have detailed discussions with their doctors and set their expectations right. Dissatisfaction stems from this mismatch of expectations and actual outcomes after the Lasik surgery.

Dr Vandana Jain – Lasik Surgeon expert

About Dr. Vandana Jain: Dr. Vandana Jain is an expert Cornea and Lasik surgeon. She has vast experience of performing laser vision correction procedures over a decade. She is well versed with all the latest techniques and advancements in laser vision correction procedures like LASIK, Femto Lasik, Smile Lasik, PRK, etc. Dr. Jain ensures that all the patients undergo a detailed pre Lasik evaluation and then the best procedure and the technique is chosen for the patient to get satisfying results and to ensure long term safety.

Lasik Surgery Center

About Center for Lasik Surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute:  Center for Lasik Surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute is one of the best LASIK surgery centers, a modern, well-equipped advanced center for all those who wish to get a laser vision correction procedure done.  A very detailed protocol based and meticulous pre-Lasik evaluation is done for all the patients. The advanced equipments like corneal topographer, corneal tomographer, IOL Master, A scan, B scan and OCT machines help us with detailed measurements. The aim is to choose the best procedure for all the patients. AEHI caters to patients from all over Navi Mumbai such as Vashi, Nerul, Kharghar and Panvel besides people traveling from all over western India and the World.

Advanced Eye Hospital And Institute (AEHI) can be reached at (O): +91 22 67313636, (Emergency): +91 9167360360 or even through Email: contactus@advancedeyehospital.com

Or you can make an appointment online through this link: BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

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“Am I suitable for Laser eye surgery?” – Lasik Suitability Information from the best Lasik Surgery Center in Navi Mumbai

 

I have been constantly receiving emails from people exploring the option of LASIK eye surgery. They want to look at the possibility of getting rid of their glasses. But they do not want to travel unless they are sure that laser vision correction is a safe and the right option for them. I know it is difficult to spare time from our busy schedules to travel for Lasik surgery only to be told that you are not the right candidate for Lasik surgery. I understand the dilemma surrounding the suitability for Lasik. Overall Lasik surgery has progressed a lot in the past decade with all the new options of Femto Lasik, ReLex Smile Lasik, Advanced Surface Ablation, Customized Lasik and Blended Laser vision correction. Now we can offer one or the other type of Lasik surgery to more than 90% people and only 5-10% people are truly not suitable for Lasik surgery. It is often difficult for us to determine suitability unless a detailed pre-Lasik evaluation is done. However, there are a few other common indicators which, if present then Lasik surgery should be postponed and not planned at that time. Fortunately, some of these conditions are temporary and you may become suitable for Lasik surgery in the future.

Let’s understand the commonest reasons why someone may not be suitable for Lasik surgery at that moment: –

1. Pregnancy and lactation

If you are currently pregnant or breast feeding the baby, then you should not plan to get your Lasik surgery right now. Pregnancy and lactation related hormonal changes can cause fluctuations in eye power and changes in corneal curvature. Some of these changes are just temporary and stabilize once the hormonal status normalizes. Eye power and corneal curvature stability are important before planning LASIK surgery. That is why planning a LASIK surgery during pregnancy or nursing period is not a good idea. Right time, to get assessed for suitability and plan a LASIK surgery, is a few months after breastfeeding is discontinued.

2. Changing Glass Power

It is important to ensure that your glass and contact lens power are stable and hasn’t changed in the last 1-2 years. This is something which is frequently seen in teenagers and sometimes even in young adults. That is why a minimum age of 18 is recommended. It is a rough benchmark to ensure some eye maturity and power stabilization. However, if the eye power is not stable even after the age of 18 then it is better to wait for at least a year till the last power change. Some of the conditions which cause hormonal imbalances, diabetes and sometimes due to no identifiable reasons the eye power can undergo changes. If there is a concern around a constant power change, then a detailed eye and sometimes an endocrinologist evaluation may be needed.

3. Poor health and active systemic diseases

Patients who are going through any illness or recovering from any major illness or surgery should not consider Lasik surgery at that time. People with uncontrolled diabetes, active collagen vascular diseases or any other condition which affects the body immunity or healing power should also postpone their Lasik surgery. It is imperative to wait for a period when all these diseases are in remission and the body is in a state of stability. One may become suitable to undergo Lasik surgery in the future.

On that note, in case you plan to travel to someplace in order to get your LASIK done, it is always a good idea to discuss about your general health related parameters with your Lasik surgeon before planning your travels to avoid a repeat visit.

Anita, an active social worker from the U.S. had visited us some time back. She had come over to be with her mother but then decided to also get a Lasik surgery done while she was here. During the consultation, it was found out she was diabetic. She had been diagnosed with diabetes just a few months ago and wasn’t aware that her current situation was not the ideal one for undergoing a Lasik surgery. After a detailed discussion and as was advised she decided to visit us once again the coming year after having followed a proper, tight, long term diabetic control to finally get her Lasik done.

In conclusion all I will say is, good health, stable hormonal status, balanced mental condition and stable eye powers are the overall general parameters that decide suitability for Lasik surgery. Even so, it is necessary to perform a detailed pre-Lasik evaluation to confirm absolute suitability of an individual for the selected Lasik before proceeding any further.

 

Expert Lasik Surgeon

About Dr. Vandana Jain: Dr. Vandana Jain is an expert Cornea and Lasik surgeon. She has vast experience of performing laser vision correction procedures over a decade. She is well versed with all the latest techniques and advancements in laser vision correction procedures like LASIK, Femto Lasik, Smile Lasik, PRK, etc. Dr. Jain ensures that all the patients undergo a detailed pre Lasik evaluation and then the best procedure and the technique is chosen for the patient to get satisfying results and to ensure long term safety.

 

Lasik Surgery Center

About Center for Lasik Surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute:  Center for Lasik Surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute is one of the best LASIK surgery centers, a modern, well-equipped advanced center for all those who wish to get a laser vision correction procedure done.  A very detailed protocol based and meticulous pre-Lasik evaluation is done for all the patients. The advanced equipments like corneal topographer, corneal tomographer, IOL Master, A scan, B scan and OCT machines help us with detailed measurements. The aim is to choose the best procedure for all the patients. AEHI caters to patients from all over Navi Mumbai such as Vashi, Nerul, Kharghar and Panvel besides people traveling from all over western India and the World.

Advanced Eye Hospital And Institute (AEHI) can be reached at (O): +91 22 67313636, (Emergency): +91 9167360360 or even through Email: contactus@advancedeyehospital.com

Or you can make an appointment online through this link: BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

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“Blindness after a Laser Eye Surgery – Myth or Reality?” LASIK Surgery Information from the Best LASIK Surgery Hospital In Western India

Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute, Sanpada – Navi Mumbai is the best super specialty eye hospital in western India having highly qualified Doctors and advanced technologies for all forms of eye care services and eye surgeries.

One of the most common question I get to hear is “Doctor, Is blindness after a laser eye surgery a reality? Can I really go blind if anything goes wrong?” Hence I decided to write up this article to provide relevant information about LASIK Surgery.

Statistics shows that almost 20-30% young adults wear glasses out of which almost 30% wear contact lenses. In this 30 %, women wearing contact lenses are more than men, probably for cosmetic reasons. Many of these people are tired of glasses or feel inhibited due to glasses and contact lenses. They want to get a LASIK surgery done but have a lot fears which prevent them from getting a laser eye surgery for glass removal. I can completely understand the basis for fears. More often than not either they directly or someone among their friend circle would have heard something negative about Lasik. The problem with this kind of information is something similar to Chinese whispers. As the information travel from one person to another a minor problem may get distorted by a large magnitude.

So I think in these kinds of situation rather than taking that information as the truth base on hear-say it is better to discuss them with your eye doctor.

There are 3 main components to addressing the fears related to Lasik laser eye surgery.

 

1. Knowing about newer Lasik surgery options

Lasik surgery is a laser based vision correction which changes the curvature of cornea and reduces the eye power. It has been around for many decades. The good thing about the technology is that it has really undergone innovations over the years. Now Lasik surgery is not just one size fits all! It can be customized to the patient’s lifestyles, eye parameters and profile. With newer options like Customized Lasik, Epi Lasik,

Femto Lasik, ReLEx Smile Lasik, LasikXtra the recovery period and the risk of complications are reduced and also the outcomes have improved. ReLEx Smile Lasik is like a laparoscopic key-hole Lasik surgery and it not only reduces the risk of serious complications like Lasik ectasia but also shortens the recovery period. So it is imperative for the patient to visit and chose the Lasik center where all the newer options are available and they can be rest assured that the most preferred option will be customized to their eye parameters.

 

2. Detailed pre-Lasik evaluation to rule out unsuitability for the procedure

Not everyone is eligible for laser eye surgery. People who are healthy, not pregnant and breastfeeding may be good candidates for Lasik surgery. Besides body parameters eye parameters are also important. For that we do a battery of tests like corneal thickness, corneal topography, dry eye tests, eye muscle balance, retina and nerve checking. This detailed pre-Lasik evaluation helps us to identify those candidates where Lasik surgery should not be done as there is a greater risk of side effects and complications. Secondly the eye parameters help us customize the type of Lasik surgery best suitable for patient’s eye.

Anuj recently visited Center for Lasik Surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute for an opinion. He was advised conventional Lasik surgery elsewhere and he wanted a second opinion. After a detailed pre-Lasik evaluation he was found to be unsuitable for Lasik due to borderline corneal thickness. In Lasik surgery we create a flap on the cornea and in patients with borderline corneal thickness it can induce a weakness in the cornea. This weakness can marginally increase the risk of post Lasik ectasia. I advised him PRK where no corneal flap is created, only the epithelium (top layer) of the cornea is removed and hence this better preserves the rigidity of the cornea.

These kinds of cases illustrates the value of a detailed pre-Lasik work-up and visiting a center where all the different types of Lasik surgeries like Lasik, PRK, Femto Lasik and Smile Lasik are available.

 

3. Discuss in detail about side effects, recovery period, do’s and don’ts with your Lasik surgeon

It is important to ask plenty of questions and clear all your doubts during your pre-Lasik consultation.  One really needs to have confidence in their Lasik surgeon that he/she will do everything possible to decrease any risk of LASIK complications. In the rare chance that something is not perfect your surgeon should be able to manage any post-operative symptoms you have. It is important to remember that LASIK is a surgery and like with any surgical procedure, unexpected complications can occur. Millions of LASIK procedures have been performed worldwide with very high levels of safety and effectiveness. It is extremely unusual for anyone to go blind after LASIK.  This is especially true if you follow your surgeon’s instructions and attend all follow-up visits as directed.

The estimated risk of losing vision in one eye is about one in five million. So really comparing with anything in life chances of anyone going blind after Lasik is highly unusual. Additionally contact lens users need to know that cumulative risk of going blind due to the use of contact lenses is higher than with Lasik performed for suitable eyes. It is important to not blindly believe rumors, get a detailed pre-Lasik evaluation and have a candid discussion with your Lasik surgeon.

 

Dr Vandana Jain – Lasik Surgeon expert

About Dr. Vandana Jain- Dr Vandana Jain is an expert Cornea and Lasik surgeon. She has vast experience of performing laser vision correction procedures over a decade. She is well versed with all the latest techniques and advancements in laser vision correction procedures like LASIK, Femto Lasik, Smile Lasik, PRK etc. Dr. Jain ensures that all the patients undergo a detailed pre Lasik evaluation and then the best procedure and the technique is chosen for the patient to get satisfying results and to ensure long term safety.

 

Lasik Surgery Center

About Center for Lasik Surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute-  Center for Lasik Surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute is one of the best lasik surgery centers, a modern well-equipped advanced center for all those who wish to get laser vision correction procedure done.  A very detailed protocol based and meticulous pre-Lasik evaluation is done for all the patients. The advanced equipments like corneal topographer, corneal tomographer, IOL Master, A scan, B scan and OCT machines help us in detailed measurements. The aim is to choose the best procedure for all the patients. AEHI caters to patients from all over Navi Mumbai such as Vashi, Nerul, Kharghar and Panvel besides people traveling from all over western india.

Advanced Eye Hospital And Institute (AEHI) can be reached at (O): +91 22 67313636, (Emergency): +91 9167360360 or even through Email: contactus@advancedeyehospital.com

Or you can make an appointment online through this link: BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

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“Is LASIK advisable for me? Is LASIK safe?”: LASIK Information from the Best, Patient Centric, Reliable and Advanced LASIK Surgery Centre in Western India

Amit, a 26 year old Nerul, Navi Mumbai resident had been wearing glasses for almost 15 years.His relationship with his glasses just like most was a bitter-sweet one, “You are my necessity, but I just don’t like you”. He needed them to see properly but would rather be rid of them. LASIK surgery which his friends suggested sounded enticing but based on what all he heard from the naysayers he was much too fearful of the complications which might happen, so much that he even refrained from discussing the topic with his own long time eye doctor. One fine day he finally mustered up enough courage and finally inquired about LASIK and if LASIK is advisable for him. I could sense his fears and apprehension but also his desire for some sort of assurance that all is well and there is a way to get free from your glasses. A scenario I am sure countless eye/LASIK surgeons keep coming across and one most would-like-to-go-for-LASIK candidates can relate to.

The very idea of surgery on the body is a not a thought most would even entertain and one being done to or around the most precious region that governs their very perception of their surroundings – their eyes, is by far the scariest thought for many. LASIK surgery is no exception to that. “Is lasik safe? Is lasik painful? When is lasik not recommended? What is the recommended age for lasik? Will I end up as another ‘blindness from lasik eye surgery’ case? “ are examples of some of the frequent questions that keep popping up in mind of almost all who consider going for a LASIK eye surgery to bid adieu to glasses for ever. Call it fear or call it inquisitiveness but one has to agree that all this is the outcome of lack of proper knowledge of both the procedure and the technological advance associated.

 

LASIK is the acronym for “Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis” and is also commonly known as laser eye surgery or laser vision correction. LASIK Surgery unlike its predecessor PRK(Photo Refractive Keratectomy) has already undergone a multitude of innovations in just the last decade and newer, better, safer highly advanced laser vision correction procedures such as Bladeless Femto LASIK and Bladeless & Flapless ReLEx Smile LASIK have already made the procedure much more safer, faster and precise when compared to the past. Even so, the thought that something may go wrong and they may lose their vision completely makes most too fearful to even consider the option of LASIK surgery.

 

LASIK as the name suggests is a surgery for those who wish to say goodbye to glasses, but at the same time is not something that is advisable for just about anyone. There are strict criteria’s which determine whether one should even be considered for a LASIK surgery. The following is a heads up of the criteria one needs to keep in mind if considering to go in for a LASIK surgery:

1. Suitable Age

Though not a strict benchmark or kind, the minimum age for even being considered for undergoing a LASIK surgery is 18 years of age or above but I would suggest it is better to consider LASIK surgery only after 21-22 years of age. The reasoning behind this is to let the eye achieve a desired level of maturity wherein it can handle the surgery.

There is no upper age limit for performing a LASIK but one should keep in mind that after the age of 40 there may be a need for reading glasses due to normal age related condition called Presbyopia. One should also keep in mind that after the age of 40, other eye and body health parameters needs equal considerations when planning a LASIK so as to reduce chances of any complication during or after the surgery.

2. Stability of Vision and Eye Power

LASIK surgery is basically a laser assisted change of corneal curvature which in turns reduces the dependence on glasses. However if there are fluctuations in eye power then there is a possibility of some recurrent eye power even after the LASIK surgery. Therefore it is important to ensure that the eye power is stable for the last 1-2 years before planning LASIK surgery.

3. Suitable Eye Power

LASIK is generally not suitable for powers above -10 to -12D as this can lead to significant corneal weakness and future problems, except for a select few cases depending on strict parameter checks.

Anita, a patient of mine from Vashi, Navi Mumbai had a power of -28D and she wanted to get LASIK done. For this high power it is not possible to remove the entire number with only LASIK. We had to perform a combined surgery on her, Implantable contact lenses (ICL) insertion followed by LASIK had to be performed sequentially and finally her dream of a completely glasses free future was made a reality.

4. Pre-LASIK Evaluation

No amount of words can emphasize the importance of a detailed Pre-LASIK evaluation.  This not only helps determine the suitability of the eye for LASIK surgery but also ensures long term safety. Corneal thickness, corneal maps, pupil diameter, eye dryness, muscle balance etc. are checked and they all need to be normal before even considering LASIK. Thin cornea is a strict hindrance for LASIK. People with larger pupils also need to be careful. Large pupils can increase risk of side effects such as halos, flashes/glares, starbursts etc. in low light (especially when driving at night).

5. Healthy Eyes and Body

Good if not excellent health of both eyes and body is vitally important. Any infections or allergies in and around the eyes should be treated before LASIK surgery. For proper healing and results, our body should be healthy and free from diseases like diabetes, auto-immune diseases etc.

During pregnancy and lactation, a LASIK surgery should be avoided, hormonal changes during pregnancy can alter the shape of cornea, leading to temporary changes in eye power and vision. LASIK surgery should not be performed until the hormones and vision have returned to normal post – pregnancy. This could take a few months.

6. Personality Features And Realistic Expectations

LASIK surgery gives excellent results in majority of patients. The satisfaction scores are more than 90% after LASIK surgery. However just like any other surgery on the human body, there are potential risks. It is important to get yourself educated about the side effects and the potential complications before going ahead with LASIK surgery. It is important that you are mentally comfortable with the information provided.

 

I will conclude this info blog by simply suggesting that whether a LASIK surgery is advisable or not depends as much on an individual’s desire for getting freedom from his/her glasses as also his/her suitability for the procedure. Suitability check requires a detailed evaluation which also helps decide the most suitable type of LASIK surgery from among the various types of LASIK which includes conventional wave front guided LASIK, Femto LASIK, Smile LASIK, etc. and should always be done by trained professionals.

 

Dr Vandana Jain – Lasik Surgeon expert

About Dr. Vandana Jain: Dr. Jain is one of the best Cornea, Cataract and LASIK surgeons in India. She is a proponent of safe LASIK and has performed many successful eye operations and is also the Director and Co-founder of the Advanced Eye Hospital. She always insists on a proper pre – LASIK evaluation and follows strict criteria to ensure success. She is prompt to suggest LASIK suitability based on pre – LASIK evaluation. She is equally diligent with the post-LASIK check-ups and ensures each patient receives the best, world class treatment possible.

 

About Center for LASIK Surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute at Sanpada, Navi Mumbai: Center for LASIK Surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute is a state-of-art center for all those who want to get freedom from glasses. It is one of the most advanced centers for glass removal in western India. All different procedures like LASIK, Femto LASIK, PRK, EpiLASIK, ReLEx Smile LASIK, and LASIKXtra are available under one roof. It is located near to the serene Palm Beach Road and is the trusted, loved and proven destination for eye related diagnosis and treatment among the residents  of Navi Mumbai and other parts of Mumbai.

 

Advanced Eye Hospital And Institute (AEHI) can be reached at (O): +91 22 67313636, (Emergency): +91 9167360360 or even through Email: contactus@advancedeyehospital.com

Or you can make an appointment online through this link: BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

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Eye measurements before lasik surgery: Pupil diameter, horizontal corneal diameter, length of eye ball and depth of front part of eye- Pre-LASIK tests no 4

In the earlier two blogs on pre-Lasik evaluation we discussed the importance of measuring corneal thickness and corneal topography prior to considering LASIK. In this blog we will understand the importance of some of the other measurements.

Suniti visited me at the Center for LASIK surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute in Navi Mumbai, India. She had got her LASIK laser vision correction done 2 years back in Mumbai. She had beautiful blue green eyes. She was getting troubled by the glare and haloes at night. Her power prior to the surgery was -4D. The power was not very high and by itself not enough to contribute to the glare problem at night. There can be several factors which contribute to night glare like large pupil (small round black front aperture which allows light to enter the eye) in dim light, dry eyes, presence of ocular aberrations and smaller zone of laser treatment. In her case there was a striking difference between the zone of her laser treatment on cornea and pupil size in the dim light conditions. Her pupil was quite big in dim light but her lasik laser had been done in a smaller area only in centre. When I explained the reason to her, on one hand she was reassured that there was no complication but on the other hand she was disturbed that why these measurements were not performed prior to the Lasik surgery. Irrespective of the type of laser vision correction procedure such as conventional Lasik or bladeless Femto LASIK or ReLEX SMILE Lasik, these measurements help plan the best type of LASIK surgery for the patient, understand the results, counsel the patients and set the expectations. Some measurements like pupil diameter, corneal diameter, eye ball length are a very important part of Pre-Lasik evaluation

1. Pupil Diameter– It is very important to know the pupil diameter in normal light conditions and in dim light conditions. Some people especially those with light colored eyes (iris) have large pupil in dim light conditions. If the zone of laser treatment during LASIK surgery is smaller than the scotopic (dim light) pupil diameter, then at night, light will enter the eye from 2 different zones. One from the laser treated zone on cornea and one from untreated cornea. This phenomenon leads to night vision issues like glare and halo etc. So knowing the pupil diameter is very important to plan the LASIK surgery better. Either we can plan the larger optical zone of laser treatment or we can chose other modes of treatment like smart aberration profile with larger transition zone or wave front guided treatment etc.

2. Corneal Diameter– This is measured to know the horizontal extent of the cornea (front transparent part of the eye). Laser vision correction procedure is done on cornea and it is the change in the corneal curvature which reduces the eye power. Corneal diameter helps us in making a decision about the size of the microkeratome suction ring in cases of conventional LASIK, or the size of the cup that we choose during bladeless femto lasik or ReLEx SMILE lasik. For example a smaller cornea will require a smaller ring and a smaller suction cup. Corneal diameter can be measured manually using manual or digital calipers or by the corneal topographer or the IOL master machine

3. Size of two eye balls– Ridhi is a Biomechanical engineer and lives in Mumbai. She wanted to get the best Lasik done. During her pre Lasik evaluation at the Center for LASIK surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute in Navi Mumbai, she took keen interest in all the tests and the machines that were used for those tests. When we were checking her eye ball length, she got very confused and enquired regarding the need for measuring the eye ball length before lasik. She asked “Isn’t the laser vision correction procedure performed on the cornea?”. I was very impressed by the depth of her thinking. She was absolutely right. It has no direct bearing on the Lasik surgery technique for most patients. But a few of us have very different eye powers in both the eyes. If the reason for different powers in both eyes is longer eye ball length in one eye then we may need to modify the planning for Lasik laser vision correction. Otherwise it can cause difference in image size between the two eyes after the laser vision correction procedure.

Length of the eye ball can be measured by either the eye ultrasound machine called A-scan or with the help of IOL master.

4. Depth of the Anterior chamber (front part of the eye) – Again this is one of those measurements which has no bearing on the laser vision correction procedure. However this is the measurement I need to know if I have to suggest an alternative procedure like ICL (Implantable contact lens) for someone who is not suitable for laser vision correction procedures. Rahul had come to the Center for LASIK surgery and had a power of -16D in both eyes. This much power cannot be safely corrected by even the best of the LASIK laser vision correction procedure. Luckily for him, the depth of the anterior chamber was 3.2mm. This was in the normal range and he successfully underwent ICL implantation in both the eyes and now enjoys a life free from glasses.

It is often said that we cannot plan if do not analyze and measure. This is no less true for pre Lasik evaluation. So even though the whole pre-Lasik evaluation takes up to 2 hour but it is required for proper planning, and better counseling, to get best Lasik surgery results and to ensure long term safety.

About Dr. Vandana Jain–

Dr. Vandana Jain

Dr Vandana Jain is an expert Cornea and Lasik surgeon. She has vast experience of performing laser vision correction procedures over a decade. She is well versed with all the latest techniques and advancements in laser vision correction procedures like LASIK, Femto Lasik, Smile Lasik, PRK etc. Dr. Jain ensures that all the patients undergo a detailed pre Lasik evaluation and then the best procedure and the technique is chosen for the patient to get satisfying results and to ensure long term safety.

About Center for Lasik Surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute, Navi Mumbai- Center for Lasik Surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute is one of the best lasik surgery centers, a modern well-equipped advanced center for all those who wish to get laser vision correction procedure done.  A very detailed protocol based and meticulous pre-Lasik evaluation is done for all the patients. The advanced equipments like corneal topographer, corneal tomographer, IOL Master, A scan, B scan and OCT machines help us in detailed measurements. The aim is to choose the best procedure for all the patients. AEHI caters to patients from all over Navi Mumbai such as Vashi, Nerul, Kharghar and Panvel besides people traveling from all over western India.

Watch Dr Vandana Jain, Cornea and Lasik Specialist perform SMILE Lasik – the most advanced and the best laser vision correction surgery in the world. Watch Dr Vandana Jain, Harvard trained Cornea & Lasik Surgeon at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute (AEHI) in Navi Mumbai, India answer frequently asked questions on SMILE laser vision correction surgery

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Customized Lasik laser Surgery in Navi Mumbai- A girl with thin cornea from Nerul got ReLEx Smile Lasik

Lasik laser vision correction surgery to reduce eye powers has come a long way! The current advancements in the technique, technology and the machines have made Lasik safer and more effective. Most people who wear glasses can now think about Lasik laser vision correction. They can get their pre-LASIK evaluation done, discuss with Lasik surgeon about the suitability and the best type of LASIK for their eyes and plan it given their schedules. Post Lasik the recovery is fast and most people can go back to work within 2-3 days.

Often when patients think about Lasik surgery or any of its newer options like Femto Lasik or ReLE x Smile Lasik, the first think that comes to their minds are the doubts. When should I do the Lasik surgery, am I suitable, where should I do it, what if there are complications, can I lose my vision etc? These are normal human concerns. Recently Neha from Nerul visited us at Lasik surgery center at Advanced Eye hospital and Institute at Sanpada. She had already visited an eye clinic in Nerul, Khargar, Vashi, Koperkhairne and Chembur. She was considering her Lasik surgery and was visiting many doctors to decide when and where she would get her LASIK surgery. I can understand the anxiety that surrounds the decision to choose the right time, right type of Lasik surgery procedure and right place for the Lasik surgery.   Neha underwent detailed pre-Lasik evaluation. Her corneal thickness, corneal topography (maps of the cornea), dry eye evaluation, eye pressures, retina evaluation, muscle balance testing etc was done. Her pre Lasik evaluation revealed that her cornea was borderline thin given her eye powers, rest of the evaluation was normal. For people like Neha who have borderline thin corneas there are many options like Thin Flap femto Lasik, Smile Lasik and PRK. Lasik surgery corrects the number by changing the corneal curvature and in the process the cornea becomes thinner. Keeping patient’s safety in perspective, the aim is to preserve the strength of cornea as much as possible by preserving the corneal thickness during Lasik surgery. Smile Lasik and PRK are the best options for such patients.

I discussed the options with Neha. She was a bit surprised as no one during her earlier consults mentioned anything about these options. Given that she got a different opinion from us, she took the help of internet and read extensively about corneal thickness and its possible effects on LASIK. She was ultimately convinced that corneal thickness is an important parameter and she chose to undergo Smile Lasik surgery.

According to Neha- I was so nervous and anxious about Lasik surgery. I was so tired of wearing contact lenses. It was a constant hassle for me. I had to carry my contact lens case and solution every time I was traveling. Even running and swimming was difficult with glasses. The very idea of not needing glasses anymore was very appealing. But I was freaking out with the idea of Lasik laser on my eyes. I wanted to gain some confidence and hence was forced to visit many eye clinics in Navi Mumbai and Mumbai. At Advanced Eye Hospital, first thing that struck me was the detailed pre-LASIK evaluation. No one before did such a detailed testing on my eye to assess if I was a good candidate for the LASIK surgery. Second thing that amazed me was the number of different options that were given to me based on my eye condition. Infact simple LASIK was not even good for my eyes. I wasn’t told about that before. Dr. Jain very patiently explained everything to me. I got quite convinced after the consultation and the pre-LASIK evaluation. I did some research with the help of internet and once fully convinced I got my SMILE Lasik done. I am extremely happy and now run, swim and travel without worrying!

Dr. Jain adds- Neha was very apprehensive about her Lasik. I can understand the fears and the anxiety. We are treating normal young eyes which can see well with glasses or contact lenses. Therefore it is very important to perform a detailed pre-Lasik evaluation in these eyes. There is no one type of Lasik surgery which is suitable for all the eyes. Different eyes have parameters which need to be taken into account before deciding the suitability and the type of Lasik. Lasik surgery is no longer a cookie cutter procedure; it is customized and personalized for an individual on the basis of eye parameters. For Neha, due to her borderline thin cornea the best options were PRK or Smile Lasik. She underwent Smile Lasik and now not only enjoys a clear vision but also as a surgeon I know that we have performed an advanced safe procedure on her eyes.

About Dr. Vandana Jain-

Dr. Vandana jain

Dr Vandana Jain is Cornea and Lasik surgeon. She is a big advocate of safety first when it comes to Lasik. She believes that type of Lasik surgery should be chosen on the basis of the detailed pre-Lasik evaluation. She has more than a decade of experience and enjoys a great rapport with her patients. She spends a good amount of time with her patients to ensure that they understand everything about the pre Lasik evaluation and the surgical options and feel at ease.

About Centre for Lasik Surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital, Navi Mumbai–

People like Neha who live in Navi Mumbai now do not need to look or travel anywhere far! Center for lasik surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital in Sanpada Navi Mumbai is one of the most advanced centers for Lasik surgery. All the different advanced options for laser vision correction like Lasik, PRK, Femto Lasik, ReLEx Smile Lasik are available under one roof. The diagnostic suit for Pre-LASIK evaluation is also very advanced and helps in ensuring the selection of the best and the safest option for everyone. The advanced centre is actually attracting people from Mumbai to come to Navi Mumbai for their Lasik laser surgery.

Watch Dr Vandana Jain, Cornea and Lasik Specialist perform SMILE Lasik – the most advanced and the best laser vision correction surgery in the world. Watch Dr Vandana Jain, Harvard trained Cornea & Lasik Surgeon at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute (AEHI) in Navi Mumbai, India answer frequently asked questions on SMILE laser vision correction surgery

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Eye Muscle testing before LASIK surgery- Diagnosing eye muscle weakness and Squint before laser vision correction: Pre LASIK Test No 3

Sofie got her LASIK surgery done 3 months ago in Dubai. She presented to the Center for Lasik Surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute in Navi Mumbai with complaints of headache and eye pain after working on computer for more than an hour. This was severely affecting her work efficiency and she was constantly troubled because of that. She was certain that her LASIK surgery led to some complications. We did a detailed eye evaluation for her. Her LASIK surgery had been done and had healed perfectly. However, on her eye muscle power checking, we found that she had severe convergence insufficiency. Basically the muscles in the eye which allow near work were weak. On closer questioning, she revealed that prior to getting her LASIK, she used to remove her glasses while working on the computer. The habit of removing glasses during near work caused her eye muscles to slowly develop weakness. When people like Sofie who have minus eye power do not wear glasses for near work, they are at risk of developing muscle weakness called convergence insufficiency. This can be missed before LASIK operation if muscle balance testing is not done prior to LASIK surgery as a part of pre LASIK evaluation. In patients like Sofie, eye muscle exercises can strengthen the muscles and then LASIK surgery can give best results without any muscle imbalance.

Just like Sofie there are a lot of us who have some or the other muscle imbalance or mild squint which needs to be detected prior to LASIK surgery. Eye Muscle balance, eye alignment and binocular function remains unchanged after LASIK laser surgery in most patients except those who have pre-existing muscle weakness, big difference in glass power between the two eyes and those with some post Lasik surgery factors like those where monovision surgery (one eye corrected for distance and one for near) is done.

A detailed muscle balance testing (orthoptic evaluation) goes a long way to detect those who are at risk of developing muscle balance related issues after different types of Lasik surgery like conventional Lasik, Bladeless Femto Lasik or ReLEx SMILE Lasik.

So, what are tests done during pre LASIK evaluation to detect muscle imbalance?

1. Accommodation– This is the ability of the eye to see near objects clearly. Usually the normal ability to accommodate reduces after the age of 40 and that’s when we need reading glasses to read near objects clearly. Occasionally young people may have accommodation abnormalities and may not see near objects clearly at the distance normal for their age. It is important to identify the type of problem and recommend exercises prior to going ahead with Lasik. This is to ensure best results and satisfaction after Lasik surgery.
2. Convergence– This is the ability to see near objects clearly without experiencing eye strain or doubling of objects at the right distance. Sometime a lot of people have convergence insufficiency which can get aggravated after LASIK. This is more likely to happen in those who wear thick glasses or those who do near work after removing their minus powered glasses. Thick glasses can sometimes mask the weakness due to minor prismatic effects.
3. Minor Squint– Sometimes people have an obvious or hidden squint. Leena had a type of squint called Intermittent Exotropia–a condition that would become obvious sometimes, specifically when she was tired. Usually it is possible to have LASIK in this condition if you are not wearing any prism correction in your eyeglasses. It is important for the LASIK Surgeon to perform muscle balance testing both with eyeglasses and contact lenses to see if the potential for the squint to worsen increases with contact lens wear. In another young woman, Lata, who had a power of -10D in her eyes, her squint was worsening when we checked her with contact lenses. This gave us the indication of what can happen to her squint after her LASIK laser surgery. Our squint surgeon decided to perform her squint surgery first. The recovery after the squint surgery was quick and she was back to work within a week. She got her bladeless Femto Lasik surgery done 3 months after her squint surgery. Today she is not just free from glasses but also free from her squint problem.
4. Fusional Amplitudes (Strength of eye muscles)- This test also gives us an indication of the muscle weakness and the possibility of squint development after Lasik surgery. If someone’s fusional amplitudes are poor it is better to give them eye exercises prior to considering their Lasik surgery.
5. Stereopsis (Depth Perception)-Vinod wanted to be a pilot in the armed forces and he wanted to get rid of his glasses for that. All the tests done for pre-Lasik evaluation were normal but his depth perception was abnormal. To ascertain the cause he was referred to our squint specialist. He was diagnosed to have microstrabismus. He was informed that he may not be able to clear the tests to be the fighter pilot as depth perception may be an important criteria for that! He still got his ReLEx Smile LASIK done and got rid of his glasses. Even though we could not treat his depth perception problem but at least he was aware! It can be disappointing if one realizes that later and not before their Lasik.

As LASIK surgeons we are glad that with all the advancements and newer best LASIK procedures like SMILE Lasik, we have the ability to reduce eye powers safely. For the best of Lasik surgeons, we desire is to treat your eyes holistically. Muscle imbalance or presence of squint needs to be evaluated as a part of pre LASIK evaluation. If required either muscle exercises or squint surgery needs to be planned either before or after laser vision correction procedure.

About Dr. Vandana Jain:

Dr. Vandana Jain- Lasik Surgeon

Dr Vandana Jain is an expert cornea and LASIK surgeon. She manages and treats patients from Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and all over Maharashtra who develop complications like infections etc due to contact lenses. Due to her dual expertise in cornea and LASIK, she is in a great position to decide and chose the right lasik procedure for these patients who develop corneal infections and then want freedom from glasses. She always cautions and educates her patients who are using contact lenses to maintain healthy contact lens care practices. Dr. Vandana Jain is a fellowship trained Cornea and LASIK surgeon. After having performed more than 5000 Lasik procedures, she is counted as one of the best Lasik surgeons in India. She believes in following a systematic scientific approach towards evaluating the patients for LASIK or Femto LASIK or the latest ReLEx Smile. She ensures that a detailed pre LASIK evaluation is done for all patients. According to her a detailed Orthoptic evaluation ensures that patients do not get eye fatigue or develop squint after their LASIK surgery.

About Center for LASIK surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute Navi Mumbai- Center for Lasik surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute is one of the most advanced centers for LASIK surgery in India. Proper protocols are followed for all the patients. A detailed pre LASIK evaluation is done with the help of all the advanced machines which are part of the center. A separate vision therapy and orthoptic clinic supports the orthoptic evaluation of all the patients prior to their LASIK. A squint surgeons consult is taken in all cases where any abnormality is detected. Patients from all over Navi Mumbai like Vashi, Kharghar, Nerul and Panvel visit AEHI for lasik evaluation and treatment.

Center for Lasik Surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute is a modern well equipped center for managing all kinds of complicated clinical situations. All the great diagnostic machines like corneal topography, corneal tomography, corneal pachymetry, OCT and IOL Master and associated clinics such as dry eye clinic and orthoptic clinic ensures a meticulous and protocol based pre Lasik evaluation. Besides this there are advanced machines for laser vision correction which allows all the different LASIK surgeries like wave front optimized LASIK, FemtoLasik, PRK, ReLEx SMILE and LasikXtra.

Videos

Watch Dr Vandana Jain, Cornea and Lasik Specialist perform SMILE Lasik – the most advanced and the best laser vision correction surgery in the world.

Watch Dr Vandana Jain, Harvard trained Cornea & Lasik Surgeon at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute (AEHI) in Navi Mumbai, India answer frequently asked questions on SMILE laser vision correction surgery

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Corneal Thickness Checking by Pachymetry before Lasik Laser vision correction surgery: Pre-Lasik test no 1

We all live in the jet age. We want everything to happen immediately including freedom from glasses by getting laser vision correction surgery. I often hear patients tell me- Lasik is just a laser and not a surgery; so what is the big deal about it- I should be able to get it done whenever I want! As a Lasik Surgeon my advice is – Yes, you can plan it whenever you want as long as you know that your eyes parameters are suitable for it and you have scheduled few days for the procedure and the recovery after lasik surgery. There are several important aspects especially pertaining to the suitability for laser vision correction procedure. A detailed pre-LASIK evaluation is mandatory before laser vision correction.

As a part of pre-LASIK check-up, the pupil in the center of the eye is dilated and it takes a day to get back to its normal size and shape. A dilated pupil can interfere with the laser vision correction procedure. Hence, the earliest a pre-LASIK evaluation can be done is at least a day prior to the lasik surgery.

Through these blogs, I wish to re-emphasize the importance of pre-Lasik evaluation. I will be writing a series of blogs to highlight the importance of each of the tests that are conducted as a part of pre-Lasik evaluation.

Besides a detailed history, proper vision and eye power check, pre-LASIK check-up involves a series of tests-

1. Corneal Thickness by Pachymetry
2. Corneal topography( Corneal Maps)
3. Pupil Diameter ( in dim and light conditions)
4. Eye ball measurements like- Horizontal diameter of cornea, length of eye ball, depth of front part of the eye
5. Ocular Aberrations
6. Dry Eye Tests
7. Muscle balance testing
8. Ensuring healthy cornea( healthy endothelium and the other layers)
9. Dilated Retina check-up

The present blog will make sure that you have a complete understanding about corneal thickness- why it is done, how it is checked and why it is important?

Why do we need to measure the corneal thickness before lasik?           

Laser vision correction procedures make the cornea thinner. The amount of thinning is dependent on the patient’s eye power.  Thin corneas can become even thinner and very weak after the lasik treatment procedure and develop problems like post-LASIK ectasia (bulging of the cornea due to weakness and this induces high power). Hence, Pachymetry is a vital test before lasik. We need to ensure 2 things when we are considering suitability with respect to corneal thickness.

1. Corneal thickness prior to the laser vision correction:

If it is too less prior to the procedure, then usually we advise against the laser vision correction procedure.

If the thickness is borderline, then we can consider safer laser vision correction procedures like PRK, SMILE Lasik (given that other parameters are normal).

2. Correction of high powers leaving cornea thin:

Initial corneal thickness is good but is likely to reduce a lot after the laser vision correction procedure due to correction of higher powers. In these situations either we advise against the procedure or advice correcting lesser power or advise alternatives like ICL (Implantable Contact Lens).

How is the corneal thickness measured?

Corneal thickness is usually measured by 2-3 different instruments to ensure that there is no error. One of the commonly used methods is with the help of ultrasound technology especially modified for eye measurements. A small pencil shaped probe is touched on the cornea and that gives the reading (Figure 1).

Two other methods employ light based technology. One of them is called OCT (Optical coherence tomography) as seen in Figure 2 and the other is with the help of Scheimpflug corneal topography system. These 2 are non-touch methods and quickly give the readings.

What information we try to gather?

Through this test we try to find the corneal thickness in the center, at the thinnest point, the variability of thickness at different points on the cornea (Figure 3) and the difference between the two eyes.

I know all this must appear very confusing! Let me try to simplify it. We are trying to rule out any pre-existing corneal disease. So we want to make sure that the readings in the two eyes are not very different, the thinnest location is not far from the center and the difference in corneal thickness at different points is not of concern. Some of the corneal diseases like Keratoconus can be picked up on these tests and they may have only early signs. One of the important clues is reduced corneal thickness and presence of thinnest point away from the center of cornea.

How we put all this information together?

First and foremost, we want to determine if laser vision correction is safe for your eyes or not and secondly which of the laser vision correction procedures like PRK, LASIK, Femto Lasik or Relex SMILE Lasik will best suit your eyes.  Corneal thickness measurement is assessed keeping in perspective patient’s age, eye power, previous history, and corneal topography maps.

Besides trying to give you a glass free future we have the utmost responsibility to ensure long term safety of your eyes to the best of our capability. Corneal thickness is a very important test to determine suitability for lasik. It is also assessed keeping in perspective other tests and collectively a decision is made for the suitability and most suitable type of laser vision correction procedure for your eyes.

Legends:

Figure 1: Using the ultrasound Pachymetry device, corneal thickness is being measured

Figure 2: Patients corneal thickness is assessed on the OCT machine

Figure 3: The colorful map depicts the corneal thickness at different points on cornea

About Centre for Lasik Surgery

Welcome to the Center for Lasik Surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute (AEHI).

Why should you pick the Centre for Lasik Surgery at AEHI?

The Center for Lasik Surgery is the only Center in Western India to offer all the latest types of Lasik eye surgeries under one roof

• Custom Wavefront Lasik
• Femto Lasik (Bladeless / All laser Lasik)
• ReLEx SMILE (Bladeless and flapless Lasik)
• Lasik Xtra (For those with thinner corneas)

“I was in and out of the laser operation theatre in ten minutes”
“It felt like I was part of some sci-fi movie. (It) did not seem like a surgery at all!”

Patients who have undergone laser eye surgery at the Center for Lasik Surgery invariably comment on how unbelievably simple the whole process turned out. To ensure that your experience is quick, safe and gentle during and after lasik surgery, Advanced Eye Hospital team puts in a lot of hard work before.
No patient is hurried into going in for any type of laser eye surgery unless our Lasik surgeon is thoroughly convinced that he / she is safe for laser refractive surgery. Hence, we spend a good 1-2 hours screening your eyes before our Lasik surgeon declares you fit to undergo lasik and this checkup is done on a separate day giving you enough time to think before Lasik surgery:

• Pre-Lasik Evaluation: Your eye’s cornea thickness, cornea surface, pupil diameter, dryness, exact spectacle power etc. are thoroughly evaluated. Know More about the 7 eye tests that are done to know if Lasik Surgery is safe for you
• Lasik Consultation: Dr Vandana Jain is known as one of the best Lasik surgeons in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai because of her emphasis on safety, ethics and personal care given to each patient. Dr Vandana Jain will analyse the results of your Pre- Lasik evaluation and guide on choosing which lasik surgery is best for you.

At AEHI, we believe in offering personalised care to all our patients. You will be pleased to find a doctor who actually pays heed to all your concerns, supporting staff that attentively responds to every need of yours and an environment that makes you feel at home.

About Dr Vandana Jain:

Dr. Vandana Jain, MS (Gold Medalist), DNB, MNAMS, FLVPEI, FICO (Harvard USA), MBA (Stanford USA) is a Cornea, Cataract & Lasik Surgeon. She is the Director & Co-founder of the Advanced Eye Hospital. She has more than a decade of experience in Ophthalmology apart from exhaustive training and a vast number of research publications to her credit.

Videos

Watch Dr Vandana Jain, Cornea and Lasik Specialist perform SMILE Lasik – the most advanced and the best laser vision correction surgery in the world.

Watch Dr Vandana Jain, Harvard trained Cornea & Lasik Surgeon at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute (AEHI) in Navi Mumbai, India answer frequently asked questions on SMILE laser vision correction surgery

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Freedom from glasses before joining Armed Forces (Army, Navy, airforce): Relex Smile Lasik surgery makes it possible

LASIK or laser vision correction is a very popular way to remove glasses in the masses and more than 30 million people have achieved freedom from glasses worldwide in last 20 years with Lasik. But this was not true for Armed forces as till some years ago armed forces like Army, Navy and Air force (pilot) didn’t allow these procedures as there were concerns about after-effects of the surgery on its soldiers, many of whom routinely face physically rigorous field or combat conditions. Hence, people who had undergone these surgeries were not allowed to join the armed forces.

The things have changed now and long term safety of lasik is well established. Taking excellent outcomes of Lasik surgery in civilians into note, Army determined there was good reason to expect safe results in prospective soldiers as well and allowed post lasik candidates to join armed forces in India. With the changed rules, people are increasingly opting for laser vision correction procedures like PRK, LASIK, Femto Lasik, and SMILE Lasik before joining the army. Even the active duty soldiers, sailors, pilots, airmen and marines are getting their vision corrected with laser eye surgery without a worry about Lasik surgery affecting their careers.

Actually if we really see soldiers tend to benefit from Lasik a lot. They perform duties in a wide variety of environments that are poorly suited to wearing glasses or contact lenses. Operating complicated sighting systems, wearing protective masks or night vision goggles, working in rain, mud & sand present challenges to those dependent on corrective lenses.

The goal is to minimize or eliminate the need to wear corrective eyewear (glasses) and increase combat effectiveness & overall confidence to perform the mission.

 

But a word of caution: any surgical procedure involves risk & laser vision correction is no exception. Therefore it is extremely important to get a proper pre-LASIK evaluation done prior to the lasik procedure to determine suitability and safety of long term vision.

 

Pramod is a 22 year old man who has done BE in electrical engineering and is planning to join Army. He has worn glasses with since childhood and now his number (glass power) has been stable for last 3 years at -5/5.5. He is starting currently under training in Army and will soon get posted at the border area in Siachen Glacier after a fitness test. He wanted to get rid of his contact lenses and came to Centre for LASIK surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute in Navi Mumbai, India. During conversations beyond lasik, he was absolutely charismatic and full of wonderful stories. However, when Pramod told me about his usage pattern for contact lenses and that got me worried. He was sometimes wearing contact lenses during training for days together with no time to remove them. These harmful practises can be extremely dangerous and cause serious eye and vision problems. Pramod underwent a detailed pre-LASIK evaluation and was fortunately found to be suitable for laser vision correction.

He opted for Relex SMILE lasik surgery and successfully got it done.

When armed force professionals like Pramod opt for laser vision correction, there are several things that needs to be kept in mind-

1. Speak to the doctor or the coordinator at the Center for Lasik Surgery before hand for proper planning, type of LASIK suitable as per your function profile, to understand the do’s and don’ts and timely scheduling
2. You need to be off contact lenses for 2 weeks prior to planning LASIK
3. A detailed pre-LASIK evaluation should be done to ensure suitability and determine the type of procedure most suitable for you
4. Schedule the surgery when atleast 2 weeks are available for proper pre-lasik evaluation, laser vision correction procedure itself and post operative follow up visits and recovery
5. If you are likely to be in combative situation in future then you should opt for flapless bladeless lasik like Relex Smile Lasik. Given the nature of activities in Armed forces, the possibility of an injury is much higher than in the regular population
   1. Flap based procedures like LASIK, Femto Lasik predispose to a slight risk of flap displacement in future combative situations and that can cause a sudden fall in vision and may put one’s life at risk.
   2. Better to opt for either surface ablation like PRK or for the newer generation laser vision correction procedure like Relex Smile LASIK.

 

In Relex Smile Lasik no flap (flapless lasik) is created and tiny (2-3 mm) hole is created by femtolaser in the periphery of the cornea (bladeless lasik). The same laser beam also creates a tiny disc of the corneal tissue. This disc is then removed from the tiny incision, thus changing the form of the cornea and correcting the eye power.

 

SMILE Lasik is actually a fantastic option and best lasik for soldiers:

• As no flaps are created, there are no chances of flap displacements
• Thanks to the minimal invasiveness and minuteness of the hole created, chances of infection and other complications are highly reduced.
• No loss of productivity in terms of precautions and restrictions.
• Quick and easy healing and recovery.
• Since it is completely bladeless, chances of complications in the future are greatly reduced.
• Since no flap is created, cornea stays biomechanically stronger, a great advantage for soldiers

 

To sum it up, a proper planning, pre-LASIK evaluation, opting for safer and best procedures like PRK or Smile LASIK and ensuring good post operative recovery is the way to go for soldiers wanting freedom from glasses.

About Centre for Lasik Surgery:

Welcome to the Center for Lasik Surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute (AEHI).

Why should you pick the Centre for Lasik Surgery at AEHI?

The Center for Lasik Surgery is the only Center in Western India to offer all the latest types of Lasik eye surgeries under one roof

• Custom Wavefront Lasik
• Femto Lasik (Bladeless / All laser Lasik)
• ReLEx SMILE (Bladeless and flapless Lasik)
• Lasik Xtra (For those with thinner corneas)

“I was in and out of the laser operation theatre in ten minutes”
“It felt like I was part of some sci-fi movie. (It) did not seem like a surgery at all!”

Patients who have undergone laser eye surgery at the Center for Lasik Surgery invariably comment on how unbelievably simple the whole process turned out. To ensure that your experience is quick, safe and gentle during and after lasik surgery, Advanced Eye Hospital team puts in a lot of hard work before.
No patient is hurried into going in for any type of laser eye surgery unless our Lasik surgeon is thoroughly convinced that he / she is safe for laser refractive surgery. Hence, we spend a good 1-2 hours screening your eyes before our Lasik surgeon declares you fit to undergo lasik and this checkup is done on a separate day giving you enough time to think before Lasik surgery:

• Pre-Lasik Evaluation: Your eye’s cornea thickness, cornea surface, pupil diameter, dryness, exact spectacle power etc. are thoroughly evaluated. Know More about the 7 eye tests that are done to know if Lasik Surgery is safe for you
• Lasik Consultation: Dr Vandana Jain is known as one of the best Lasik surgeons in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai because of her emphasis on safety, ethics and personal care given to each patient. Dr Vandana Jain will analyse the results of your Pre- Lasik evaluation and guide on choosing which lasik surgery is best for you.

At AEHI, we believe in offering personalised care to all our patients. You will be pleased to find a doctor who actually pays heed to all your concerns, supporting staff that attentively responds to every need of yours and an environment that makes you feel at home.

About Dr Vandana Jain:

Dr. Vandana Jain, MS (Gold Medalist), DNB, MNAMS, FLVPEI, FICO (Harvard USA), MBA (Stanford USA) is a Cornea, Cataract & Lasik Surgeon. She is the Director & Co-founder of the Advanced Eye Hospital. She has more than a decade of experience in Ophthalmology apart from exhaustive training and a vast number of research publications to her credit.

Videos

Watch Dr Vandana Jain, Cornea and Lasik Specialist perform SMILE Lasik – the most advanced and the best laser vision correction surgery in the world.

Watch Dr Vandana Jain, Harvard trained Cornea & Lasik Surgeon at Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute (AEHI) in Navi Mumbai, India answer frequently asked questions on SMILE laser vision correction surgery

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