Some Common Questions

How successful is laser vision correction at Phiroze Dastoor?
Our goal and our commitment to you is to get you to a visual acuity of 6/9 (20/40) or better, enough to function without glasses, to watch TV, play sport and take up occupations where good vision is essential. In fact, after treatment at Phiroze Dastoor, over 95% of people can drive without glasses. Our consultants will discuss with you at the time of your consultation what can be achieved in your individual case.

Does it hurt?
No. Wavefront Guided LASIK is virtually painless. You may experience some mild to moderate discomfort and watering of the eyes for a few hours after treatment. This varies from person to person and has been likened to the sensation of having worn contact lenses too long.

Do the results last?
The effects of LASIK are permanent and they do not wear off. But it is important to realise that a person's eye can still change internally. That is why many surgeons recommend having the procedure done after the major eye changes have occurred in one's life. Your surgeon can review the changes you have had and help you make a decision whether or not to have LASIK done.

What happens when I get older?
Natural changes occur in every eye. As we reach our mid 40's, the fine focusing mechanism of the lens within our eyes does not function as well as when we were younger. As a result of this, all of us will require reading glasses or a bifocal segment in our existing glasses. Therefore, it is most likely that you will require glasses for reading fine print when you reach your mid 40's. It is because this age-related change affects the lens in our eye and not the cornea that LASIK cannot treat this change.

If I get LASIK done and my vision changes later in life, can it be redone?
In most cases, an enhancement may be a solution to vision changes later in life. Your eye care specialist will examine your eyes and determine whether an enhancement can be performed.

What are the long-term side effects?
Laser eye surgery has been performed for more than 10 years and no complications have been documented that have not been encountered in the first year of follow-up. Minor complications such as haziness, delayed healing and night time glare have been reported although these are very few and far between, and in almost all cases, can be treated. (Also see 'Risks')

Is the procedure covered by health insurance?
Most health insurance companies do not cover LASIK.

How long before I can see well?
Visual rehabilitation after LASIK is rapid. Most people achieve good vision the day after surgery and find that their eyes feel fairly normal 24 hours later. However, your sight may improve even further, and the very best vision can still take two to three weeks.

Can both eyes be corrected at the same time?
Because of advanced technology associated with LASIK, both eyes are most often treated at the same time.

Are there any complications?
In 97% cases, the treatment is completely successful in eradicating dependence on visual aids. A few patients, mainly those with high prescriptions, may still require glasses or lenses for activities such as night driving and/or minute close work.
In exceptional cases, minor deviations such as delayed healing and night-time glare, can always be successfully treated and normalcy restored. However all laser procedures are medical procedures and as with all medical procedures, the final outcome cannot be guaranteed. (Also see 'Risks')

Will I require multiple treatments?
In over 94% cases a single treatment is enough. In few cases, a second enhancement treatment may be required to achieve optimum vision.

Will it affect my job?
Most organisations do not object to the treatment. If you are with the services though, the Armed Forces, Civil Aviation Authority and Fire Brigade for example, you should check with them prior to attending for treatment.

Can Dry Eye be diagnosed before the treatment?
Dry eye is hard to to diagnose in its mild to moderate forms, but we do know that contact lens wearers are at a higher risk for dry symptoms. Other potential risk factors, such as hormone and drug use and the environment, make differential diagnosis a challenge.
Skin and eyelid care, avoiding toxic solutions, making the environment free of wind, smoke and dryness, avoiding drugs that dehydrate and better blinking can maximize comfort.