“I’m getting rid of my glasses!”, 20 years old Reena announced to her parents one Sunday afternoon.

“Sure”, said her father, without looking up from his newspaper. He was accustomed to his daughter changing her glasses as soon as the fashion media dictated a new trend.

“Reena, what do you mean?” her mother asked with curiosity. She knew that look on Reena’s face. It meant that something big was going on in her head. Something bigger than new glasses.

“I have decided that I want to undergo Lasik.” Reena dropped the L bomb and waited for its after effects…

“What rubbish!” “It is a surgery after all. Not just something you decide on a whim.” “Do you know how unsafe it is? And what is it that you are hiding behind your back?”

(Reena chuckled to herself. This is something she had anticipated.) Out came a bunch of papers that she had been holding behind her back, waiting for the right time.

“It’s not just a whim Dad. I have done a lot of research over the internet on: which is the best eye hospital in Mumbai? who is the best Lasik Surgeon? which is the best type of Lasik? And Mom, millions of people undergo Lasik every year!”
Reena tried coaxing her parents. A week after a lot of heated discussion, Reena triumphantly sought an appointment at an eye hospital.
As they waited for their turn, her mother whispered, “Reena, remember we just agreed to come check out the place. Only if we feel that it’s ok will we give it a thought.” Reena just hugged her mother, as her father sighed.

Soon, they found themselves in the Lasik Surgeon’s cabin. Reena could hardly contain her excitement. But the Lasik Surgeon soon poured a bucketful of water over her enthusiasm, “Reena, these are your eyes after all. We would not like to jump in head first just like that.”
Reena was confused and irritated as she saw her father sink into his chair with a sigh of relief.
“Lasik is one of the safest surgeries, only as long as you are the right candidate for Lasik. There are a number of things that need to be considered like the thickness of your cornea, the surface of your cornea etc. We will run a few tests for your eyes. If any of these results that you cannot undergo Lasik, I will not perform Lasik on you.”

Reena reluctantly underwent a series of tests:

1. Corneal Topography: This test studies the surface map of the cornea (the outer dome shaped layer of the eye). Those with corneal abnormalities are advised against Lasik.
2. Corneal Pachymetry and OCT: The thickness of the cornea is examined since those with abnormally thin corneas are at a higher risk of developing corneal weakness.

3. Orthoptic Check Up: Some people tend to have minor muscle alignment troubles. Here the balance of one’s eye muscles is checked before undergoing Lasik.
4. IOL Master: To assess disparity in length between the two eyes, if any.
5. Detailed Refraction: This is done to measure the exact prescription. One’s eyes are dilated so as to measure the true vision if one did not focus too hard.
6. Evaluation of Eye Pressure
7. Fundoscopy: This test is done for the evaluation of the Retina or the photosensitive layer at the back of the eye.

Wondering what happened with Reena’s eyes?
Well, the tests resulted in a convinced Lasik Surgeon, a relieved mother and a satisfied father that his daughter’s eyes were in truly safe and ethical hands. And Reena is as excited as ever about all the fun that she is going to have without her glasses hindering her.
If you too wish to get rid of your glasses like Reena, but are sceptical if Lasik is safe for you, visit a hospital for more information!