LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is the world's most performed refractive surgery - and for good reason. In under 15 minutes, it permanently reshapes your cornea using a precise excimer laser, eliminating or dramatically reducing your dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
At Narayana Nethralaya, Dr Naren Shetty uses the latest generation of femtosecond and excimer laser platforms - offering bladeless, all-laser LASIK with outcomes that are safer, more predictable, and more personalised than ever before.
27,000+
Surgeries performed by Dr Naren Shetty
15 min
Total procedure time for both eyes
24-48 hrs
Typical recovery to clear vision
How LASIK Works -Step by Step
LASIK is a two-laser procedure. Understanding each step helps eliminate anxiety and set realistic expectations.
Pre-operative evaluation
A detailed corneal topography, pachymetry (corneal thickness), dry eye assessment, and pupillometry are performed. This determines your suitability and guides the laser treatment plan.
Anaesthetic eye drops
Numbing drops are instilled. No injections. No pain. You remain awake and relaxed throughout.
Flap creation (femtosecond laser)
A thin, precise corneal flap (100-110 microns) is created using a femtosecond laser - completely bladeless. This replaces the older mechanical microkeratome blade.
Corneal reshaping (excimer laser)
The excimer laser reshapes the underlying corneal tissue based on your exact prescription. For myopia, the central cornea is flattened. For hyperopia, it is steepened. The laser treats under 60 seconds per eye.
Flap repositioning
The flap is gently laid back into position. It adheres naturally -no stitches required. Healing begins immediately.
Post-operative review
You are reviewed at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. Most patients see clearly within 24 hours.
Latest LASIK Technology at Narayana Nethralaya
Not all LASIK is equal. The technology platform matters enormously for safety, precision, and outcomes. Dr Naren Shetty operates with the most advanced platforms available in India.
Femtosecond Laser (Bladeless Flap)
Gold StandardThe femtosecond laser creates the corneal flap with pulses of infrared light lasting one quadrillionth of a second -100x more precise than a mechanical blade. Narayana Nethralaya uses the latest-generation femtosecond platform for all LASIK procedures.
- ✓Flap thickness accurate to ±5 microns
- ✓Reduced risk of flap complications
- ✓Better predictability for thin corneas
- ✓Smoother flap edge -faster healing
Wavefront-Guided Excimer Laser
PersonalisedWavefront technology measures how light travels through your entire optical system -cornea, lens, and vitreous -creating a unique 3D map of your eye. The excimer laser then corrects these imperfections beyond what your spectacle prescription can capture.
- ✓Treats higher-order aberrations (HOAs)
- ✓Reduces glare, halos, and starburst at night
- ✓Better contrast sensitivity post-operatively
- ✓Particularly beneficial for night drivers
Contoura Vision (Topography-Guided LASIK)
Most AdvancedContoura Vision maps 22,000 unique elevation points on your cornea - treating not just your prescription but the cornea's individual topographic irregularities. FDA-cleared and shown to produce better outcomes than standard wavefront LASIK.
- ✓22,000-point corneal surface mapping
- ✓Corrects corneal irregularities undetectable by standard testing
- ✓Superior night vision outcomes
- ✓More patients achieve 6/6 or better than standard LASIK
Eye Tracking Technology
SafetyModern excimer lasers track your eye's movements at 1,000-4,000 times per second. If your eye moves beyond a safe threshold, the laser pauses automatically and resumes precisely where it stopped.
- ✓6-dimensional eye tracking (x, y, z, rotation, tilt)
- ✓Cyclotorsion correction for rotational eye movement
- ✓Automatic pause-and-resume mechanism
- ✓Treatment accuracy within 10 microns
Are You a LASIK Candidate?
✅ Good Candidate If:
- • Age 18 years or older
- • Stable prescription for ≥1 year
- • Myopia up to -10D, Hyperopia up to +4D
- • Astigmatism up to 5D
- • Adequate corneal thickness (>500 microns)
- • No active eye disease
- • Not pregnant or nursing
❌ May Not Be Suitable If:
- • Keratoconus or forme fruste keratoconus
- • Corneal thickness below safe threshold
- • Severe dry eye disease
- • Uncontrolled autoimmune conditions
- • Prescription still changing year on year
- • Very high myopia (consider ICL instead)
- • History of corneal infections
Important: Only a comprehensive pre-operative evaluation -including corneal topography, pachymetry, and wavefront analysis -can definitively confirm your suitability. At Narayana Nethralaya, Dr Naren Shetty's team performs this evaluation before recommending any procedure.
Recovery Timeline
Day 1
Immediate post-op
Mild blurring, watering, and light sensitivity are normal. Rest with eyes closed for 4-6 hours. Avoid rubbing.
Day 2-3
Vision clears rapidly
Most patients can see clearly enough to drive and return to desk work. Avoid swimming and contact sports.
Week 1
Follow-up review
Vision check and examination of the flap. Medicated eye drops are continued as prescribed.
Week 2-4
Near-normal activity
Most patients are fully functional. Avoid dusty environments, swimming pools, and eye makeup for 1 month.
Month 3
Full stabilisation
Final vision outcome is assessed. The vast majority of patients achieve 6/6 (20/20) or better.
Safety Profile & Risks
LASIK has one of the highest safety profiles of any elective surgery worldwide. Serious complications are rare when performed by an experienced surgeon using modern technology.
Temporary dry eye
Common (20-30%)Usually resolves within 3-6 months. Managed with lubricant drops.
Glare / halos at night
Uncommon with modern lasersMostly transient. Wavefront-guided and Contoura LASIK significantly reduce this.
Under/over correction
1-3%Can often be enhanced with a touch-up procedure after stabilisation.
Flap complications
< 0.5% with femtosecond laserRare with bladeless femtosecond flap creation. The flap is never discarded.
Regression
< 5% over 10 yearsMore common in higher prescriptions. Enhancement is possible in most cases.
Infection / keratitis
Very rare (< 0.1%)Prevented by strict sterile technique. Treated with antibiotic drops if it occurs.
Cost of LASIK in Bangalore (2025)
| LASIK Type | Technology | Cost (per eye) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard LASIK | Microkeratome blade + excimer laser | ₹20,000 - ₹30,000 |
| Bladeless Femto-LASIK | Femtosecond + excimer laser | ₹35,000 - ₹50,000 |
| Wavefront LASIK | Wavefront-guided excimer | ₹45,000 - ₹60,000 |
| Contoura Vision LASIK | 22,000-point topography-guided | ₹55,000 - ₹75,000 |
* Costs are indicative and include pre-operative evaluation, surgery, and post-operative care. Final pricing confirmed at consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions -LASIK
Is LASIK painful?+
No. Anaesthetic drops completely numb the eye. You may feel mild pressure during flap creation (about 20 seconds) but no pain. Post-operatively, mild grittiness and watering last a few hours.
What is the minimum age for LASIK?+
18 years old, and your prescription must have been stable for at least 12 months. There is no strict upper age limit, but patients over 40 should discuss presbyopia management.
Can LASIK be done if I have astigmatism?+
Yes. Modern LASIK treats astigmatism up to 5D very effectively. Contoura Vision is particularly effective for irregular astigmatism.
How long does LASIK last?+
The corneal reshaping is permanent. However, natural age-related changes (presbyopia after age 40) may require reading glasses later in life. Over 95% of patients maintain excellent distance vision for decades.
Can I have LASIK if I've worn contact lenses for years?+
Yes, but you must stop wearing soft lenses 3-5 days before your pre-operative evaluation, and rigid lenses (RGP/hard) for 2-4 weeks. Contact lenses temporarily distort corneal shape.
What if LASIK doesn't fully correct my vision?+
If residual prescription remains after healing (typically assessed at 3 months), an enhancement procedure is possible in most cases at no additional charge within a specified period.
Can both eyes be done on the same day?+
Yes. Bilateral simultaneous LASIK (both eyes on the same day) is standard practice and is safe with modern technology and proper patient selection.
Will I need glasses at all after LASIK?+
Most patients achieve complete freedom from distance glasses. Reading glasses may be needed after age 40-45 due to presbyopia -a natural ageing process unrelated to LASIK.