The four main specs removal procedures
The term “specs removal surgery” covers several distinct procedures. Choosing the right one depends on your prescription, corneal thickness, dry eye status and lifestyle - not just cost.
Contoura Vision (Topography-Guided LASIK)
Most recommended by Eye Veda surgeons
Maps 22,000 unique corneal elevation points and creates a completely personalised ablation pattern. FDA clinical trials showed 30% of patients achieved better than 6/6 vision. Best for patients seeking the sharpest possible visual quality, including in low light.
Cost at Eye Veda: Rs 45,000 - Rs 65,000 per eye
Range: Up to -9D myopia, -5D astigmatism
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction)
Best for dry eye and active lifestyles
A flapless, minimally-invasive procedure performed entirely with the VisuMax femtosecond laser. No excimer laser, no flap. Because corneal nerves are less disrupted, dry eye risk is lower than with standard LASIK. Popular with athletes, swimmers, contact sports participants.
Cost at Eye Veda: Rs 50,000 - Rs 65,000 per eye
Range: Up to -10D myopia, -5D astigmatism
Standard LASIK
Proven, cost-effective option
A microkeratome or femtosecond laser creates a thin corneal flap; the excimer laser reshapes the cornea; the flap is replaced. Over 40 million eyes treated worldwide. Excellent outcomes for most patients with a standard prescription profile.
Cost at Eye Veda: Rs 25,000 - Rs 35,000 per eye
Range: Up to -10D (cornea-dependent)
ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens)
For high myopia or unsuitable corneas
A soft lens is inserted through a 2 - 3 mm incision and placed behind the iris. The cornea is untouched - making it ideal for high prescriptions (up to -18D) or thin corneas. Fully reversible: the lens can be removed at any time.
Cost at Eye Veda: Rs 85,000 - Rs 1,10,000 per eye
Range: -3D to -18D myopia, -6D astigmatism
Am I eligible for specs removal surgery?
Eligibility depends on several factors assessed during a pre-operative consultation:
- Age: Minimum 18 for laser procedures, 21 for ICL
- Stable prescription: Power must not have changed for at least 12 months
- Corneal thickness: Adequate tissue must remain after ablation (250 - 280 µm residual stroma for LASIK)
- No active eye disease: Keratoconus, severe dry eye, or other active conditions are contraindications
- Pupil size: Large pupils in dim light may affect procedure selection
People who are NOT suitable for LASIK may still be candidates for ICL. This is why the pre-operative assessment - not a quick online quiz - is the only reliable way to determine eligibility.
What happens at the pre-operative assessment?
At Eye Veda, the refractive surgery work-up includes:
- Corneal topography and tomography (Pentacam or similar) - maps corneal shape
- Corneal thickness (pachymetry)
- Wavefront aberrometry - measures optical aberrations beyond standard prescription
- Dry eye evaluation (TBUT, Schirmer’s test)
- Pupillometry in dim light
- Cycloplegic refraction - true spectacle power without accommodation
- Intraocular pressure measurement
- Dilated fundus exam
This takes approximately 2 hours. Your surgeon will explain the findings and next steps before any treatment plan is finalised.
What to expect on surgery day
Surgery is performed under topical anaesthesia (eye drops) - no injections, no general anaesthesia. The procedure itself takes 10 - 20 minutes per eye. You will be awake throughout. Most patients feel pressure rather than pain.
Plan to have someone drive you home. Avoid water in the eyes for 1 - 2 weeks. Use prescribed antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops as directed. Sleep with shields for the first week (LASIK) to avoid accidental flap displacement.
Side effects and risks
All surgical procedures carry risk. For refractive surgery, the most relevant include:
- Dry eye: Common after LASIK for 3 - 6 months; lower with SMILE; rare with ICL
- Night glare and halos: Typical in the first 4 - 6 weeks; persistent in <3% of patients
- Under/overcorrection: May require enhancement procedure in 1 - 3% of cases
- Flap complications (LASIK only): Rare with modern femtosecond laser flap creation (<0.1%)
- Ectasia: Progressive corneal thinning - serious but rare; prevented by careful case selection
Eye Veda’s refractive team discusses each risk in detail during the pre-operative consultation, tailored to your individual profile.
