If you are tired of glasses or contact lenses for near, far or astigmatic vision, modern refractive procedures can help. Most people aged 18 and older with a stable glasses prescription and healthy eyes are suitable candidates for LASIK, PRK (surface laser) or ICL (implantable contact lens). [R4][R5]
Comprehensive pre-procedure corneal and refractive evaluation at Dr. Anil Kumar's Eye Hospital
Vision correction is for adults who want to rely less on glasses or contact lenses — for work, sport, travel, or simply waking up and seeing the clock. After LASIK, most people manage most of their daily activities without glasses. [R4] It doesn't stop the natural change that comes with age: most people still need reading glasses in their forties or later. [R6]
Based on guidance from the US Food and Drug Administration and the US National Eye Institute. [R4][R5]
The evaluation takes one to two hours and is usually done a day or more before treatment. If you wear soft contact lenses, stop wearing them for the period we advise beforehand, because lenses can change the shape of the cornea.
At the end, your surgeon will tell you which options are safe for your eyes, which aren't, and why. There is no obligation to go ahead.
Precision ophthalmic imaging equipment at Dr. Anil Kumar's Eye Hospital
There are three main ways to correct your vision. The right one depends on your cornea, your power and your lifestyle.
A thin flap is made on the surface of the cornea, a laser reshapes the tissue beneath it, and the flap is laid back, where it seals without stitches. Vision is blurry at first and usually improves over the next few days; complete healing takes two to three months. [R4] At our centre, the flap is made with a microkeratome.
Instead of a flap, the thin surface layer of the cornea is removed — gently by hand in PRK, or by the laser itself in TransPRK — and the cornea is reshaped directly. A soft bandage contact lens protects the eye while the surface heals over several days. There's no flap, which can make it a better choice for thinner corneas or for people in contact sports. [R4]
An ICL is a very thin lens placed inside the eye, in front of your natural lens, through a tiny opening. It suits high powers, or corneas too thin for laser treatment, and it can be removed or exchanged if needed. Because the lens is made to your measurements, there is a short wait after your evaluation. Like any surgery inside the eye, it has risks — including raised eye pressure, cataract, loss of cells from the inner surface of the cornea, retinal detachment and infection — which your surgeon will discuss with you. [R4][R14]
Scroll table horizontally to compare all options →
| Procedure | How it works | Best for | Not suitable if | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LASIK | A thin corneal flap is made, laser reshapes tissue beneath, flap is repositioned | Most short-sighted and astigmatic eyes with healthy, thick cornea | Thin or irregular corneas, keratoconus, significant dry eye | Quick — many people back at a desk within a few days |
| PRK & TransPRK | Surface layer removed, cornea reshaped directly, protected by bandage lens | Thinner corneas, contact sports, careers that restrict flaps | Keratoconus, active eye infection or disease | Slower, more uncomfortable first few days — plan ~1 week off work |
| Implantable contact lens (ICL) | Very thin lens placed inside the eye in front of natural lens; removable | High powers, thin corneas, people not suited to laser treatment | Shallow front chamber of eye, pre-existing glaucoma | Usually one eye at a time; vision often clears in a day or two |
Keratoconus is a condition in which the cornea thins and bulges into a cone, blurring vision in a way that glasses struggle to correct. Laser vision correction isn't suitable for an eye with keratoconus.
Corneal collagen cross-linking (C3R) uses riboflavin drops and ultraviolet light to strengthen the cornea; it is the treatment shown to halt progression, although it doesn't reverse changes that have already happened. [R7]
Numbing drops are used and you stay awake, looking at a small light. The laser itself usually works for less than a minute per eye; with preparation, you'll be in the treatment room for roughly 10–15 minutes for both eyes. Someone should take you home, and we recommend resting your eyes for the rest of the day.
Clinical treatment suite at Dr. Anil Kumar's Eye Hospital
Most people are happy with their result, but every procedure carries risks. They include: [R4][R6]
Vision correction doesn't prevent reading difficulty with age, cataract or glaucoma later in life. [R6]
Your eye becomes more painful, your vision gets worse, redness or discharge increases, or your eye is hit or rubbed hard. [R4]
The cost depends on the procedure your eyes need — LASIK, PRK or ICL — and whether one or both eyes are treated. We give you a written estimate after your evaluation. Most health-insurance policies don't cover vision correction done only to reduce dependence on glasses. [R5]
The reshaping is permanent, but your eyes still change with age. Most people need reading glasses later in life, and a few need a small touch-up treatment. [R4][R6]
Numbing drops are used, so most people feel pressure rather than pain. Your eyes may sting or water for a few hours afterwards.
Possibly. PRK or an ICL may be suitable. Your evaluation will show which, if any, is safe for you.
Very high powers are often better treated with an ICL. The thickness and shape of your cornea will decide.
We advise waiting, because hormonal changes can alter your glasses power and affect healing. [R5]
Rules differ between services and change over time, so please check your recruitment rules before treatment. We can give you a certificate describing the procedure and your results. [R5]
LASIK and PRK are usually done on both eyes in one session. ICL is often done one eye at a time.
Find out if LASIK, PRK or ICL is right for your eyes. Our refractive specialists in Madurai and Sivakasi will guide you with complete transparency.
