Frequently Asked Questions
LASIK, Cataract Surgery, General Eye Care & Eye Surgery
LASIK & Laser Vision Correction
LASIK is generally not painful. Numbing eye drops are used before the procedure, so most patients feel little or no pain during surgery. Mild burning, watering, or a gritty sensation may occur for a few hours afterward.
The actual laser treatment usually takes only a few minutes for both eyes. The complete procedure, including preparation, generally takes around 15–30 minutes.
Many patients experience a significant improvement in vision within a few hours or by the next day. Vision may fluctuate during the first few days or weeks as the eyes heal.
LASIK is considered a safe and effective procedure for appropriately selected patients. However, like any surgery, it carries potential risks and side effects. A detailed eye examination is necessary to determine whether LASIK is suitable for you.
Generally, suitable candidates are adults with stable glasses or contact-lens prescriptions and healthy eyes. Corneal thickness, corneal shape, eye health, prescription, age, and other factors must be evaluated before surgery.
LASIK can significantly reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses, but it does not guarantee that you will never need glasses again. Some patients may require glasses for specific activities or later in life.
Most patients return to normal daily activities within a day or two. Your surgeon will provide specific instructions regarding exercise, swimming, eye makeup, screen use, and other activities.
Screen use can usually be resumed relatively soon, but your eyes may initially feel dry or tired. Taking regular breaks and using prescribed lubricating drops can help during recovery.
LASIK may be suitable for some patients with higher prescriptions, but suitability depends on factors such as corneal thickness, corneal shape, and overall eye health. Other procedures may sometimes be recommended.
If LASIK is not appropriate, your surgeon may discuss alternatives such as PRK, SMILE, or phakic intraocular lenses, depending on your eye condition and prescription.
Cataract Surgery
A cataract occurs when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy, causing blurred vision, glare, difficulty seeing at night, or faded colours. Cataracts commonly develop with age but can also occur for other reasons.
Cataract surgery is generally recommended when the cataract begins to interfere with your daily activities, such as reading, driving, working, or watching television.
Cataract surgery is usually performed using local or topical anaesthesia, so patients generally do not experience significant pain during the procedure. Mild irritation or discomfort can occur afterward.
Modern cataract surgery is usually a short procedure, often taking approximately 15–30 minutes, although the total time at the surgical centre will be longer because of preparation and recovery.
Depending on the type of intraocular lens (IOL) selected, cataract surgery can reduce dependence on glasses. However, the result varies from patient to patient, and some people may still need glasses for certain activities.
Options can include monofocal, toric, multifocal, extended-depth-of-focus, and other premium IOLs. The appropriate lens depends on your eye measurements, lifestyle, visual requirements, and medical history.
Many patients notice improved vision soon after surgery, although vision can remain slightly blurred while the eye heals. Final visual results may take longer to stabilize.
A cataract itself does not grow back because the cloudy natural lens has been removed. However, some patients develop posterior capsule opacification (PCO), sometimes called a “secondary cataract,” which can usually be treated with a YAG laser procedure.
General Eye Care
The recommended frequency depends on your age, eye health, medical conditions, family history, and whether you wear glasses or contact lenses. Your eye surgeon can recommend an appropriate examination schedule.
Sudden vision loss, flashes of light, a sudden increase in floaters, a curtain-like shadow, severe eye pain, or sudden redness can require urgent assessment. Seek immediate medical attention if these symptoms occur.
Yes. Diabetes can damage the blood vessels in the retina and cause diabetic retinopathy. Regular comprehensive eye examinations are important for people with diabetes.
High blood pressure can affect the blood vessels in the retina and may contribute to various eye problems. Regular medical and eye examinations are important for people with hypertension.
Yes. Treatment depends on the cause and severity and may include lubricating eye drops, lifestyle changes, warm compresses, lid hygiene, prescription medications, or other treatments recommended by an eye specialist.
Prolonged screen use can contribute to digital eye strain, dryness, headaches, and temporary blurred vision. The 20-20-20 rule, regular blinking, appropriate lighting, and proper screen positioning can help reduce symptoms.
Yes. Some vision problems may not be obvious to parents or children. Age-appropriate eye examinations can help detect refractive errors, lazy eye, squint, and other conditions early.
Eye Surgery & Consultation
The right procedure depends on your eye condition, prescription, corneal health, age, lifestyle, and visual requirements. A comprehensive examination with an eye surgeon is essential before deciding on surgery.
Depending on the procedure, testing may include refraction, corneal mapping, corneal thickness measurement, eye pressure measurement, retinal examination, tear-film assessment, and detailed measurements of the eye.
Every surgical procedure has potential risks. Your surgeon should explain the expected benefits, possible complications, alternatives, and recovery process before you make a decision.
Bring your previous eye reports, current glasses or contact-lens prescription, details of medications, and information about previous eye surgeries or medical conditions. Contact-lens users may need to stop wearing lenses for a specified period before certain tests.
Consider the surgeon’s qualifications, experience with the specific procedure, technology available, quality of pre-operative evaluation, patient reviews, and whether the surgeon clearly explains both benefits and risks.