Beyond LASIK: Why Smart Surface and Contoura Are Gaining Popularity in India

Table of Content

1. Understanding the Limitations of Conventional LASIK
2. The Evolution of Vision Correction: From LASIK to New-Generation Techniques
3. Smart Surface: No-Touch Laser Vision Correction
4. Contoura Vision: Highly-Personalized, Topography-Guided Perfection
5. Smart Surface vs. Contoura Vision vs. LASIK: A Comparative Table
6. Why Smart Surface and Contoura Vision Are the Top Choices in India?
7. Patient Experience at Planet Lasik
8. Addressing Common Questions & Concerns
9. Conclusion
10. FAQs

Vision correction has made transformative leaps in the past few decades, bringing hope to millions struggling with refractive errors. For years, LASIK has taken center stage as the preferred procedure for those seeking freedom from glasses and contact lenses. Yet, the emergence of next-generation solutions like Smart Surface and Contoura Vision is rapidly redefining standards in India’s eye care landscape. At Planet Lasik by Centre for Sight, we recognize that now people are seeking not just clear vision, but also personalized, data-driven care and long-term ocular wellness. This change of choice has fueled the rising adoption of technologies that deliver exceptional results with enhanced safety and precision.

Understanding the Limitations of Conventional LASIK  

Though effective and widely trusted, traditional LASIK comes with certain caveats:  

Corneal Flap Complications: The mechanical or femtosecond laser-based creation of the flap can potentially introduce the risk of displacement or infection.  

Dry Eyes: Temporary to persistent dry eye symptoms affect up to 30% of LASIK patients, according to Indian and international studies.  

Night-Time Glare & Halos: Irregular corneal healing and imperfect ablation may cause light scatter, which can interfere with night driving or activities.  

Contraindications: Persons with thin corneas, irregular astigmatism, or pre-existing ocular surface disorders may not be ideal candidates.  

Regression Risk: Over time, a small proportion of patients may notice diminished clarity due to biomechanical changes.

The Evolution of Vision Correction: From LASIK to New-Generation Techniques  

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) unlocked possibilities once deemed futuristic. With its ability to precisely reshape corneal tissue using a microkeratome blade and excimer laser, LASIK dramatically improved outcomes for myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. However, while revolutionary, conventional LASIK surgery carries certain limitations, such as the requirement for a corneal flap, postoperative discomfort, and risk of specific side effects like transient dry eyes, glare, and halos.  

New-generation techniques like Smart Surface and Contoura Vision emerged in response to these challenges. Unlike their predecessor, both approaches integrate advanced diagnostics, personalized mapping, and refined laser correction. In India, where climatic variations, higher rates of dry eye, and demand for minimally invasive care are top concerns, adoption of these advanced procedures has soared across metropolitan and smaller cities alike.

Smart Surface: No-Touch Laser Vision Correction  

Smart Surface eye surgery represents the pinnacle of non-invasive, non-flap laser surgery, utilizing TransPRK (transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy) with advanced 7D eye tracking. This all-laser, no-blade, no-touch approach removes the epithelium and reshapes the cornea in a single step, completely eliminating the need for mechanical instruments. This technique maps more than 1,00,000 points on the technique to precisely correct all the irregularities, offering crystal clear vision.

Key Features and Advantages:

• No Flap, No Incisions: Reduces the risks of flap misalignment or infection to almost zero.  

• AI-Driven: The procedure utilizes Foresight (AI) technology to predict visual outcomes even before the surgery.

• World’s Fastest: The surgery is performed on Schwind Amaris 1050RS, which is the world’s fastest and safest laser. 

• 7D Eye Tracking: Continuously monitors and compensates for the slightest eye movement across every dimension, ensuring each laser pulse lands with sub-micron precision.  

• Broad Candidate Pool: Suitable for patients with thinner corneas, surface irregularities, mild corneal scars, or those not eligible for LASIK.  

• Lower Dry Eye Risk: No flap means less nerve disruption, translating to better postoperative tear film quality.  
• Swift Recovery: Patients typically experience mild irritation for 2-3 days, with visual acuity stabilizing within a week.

Over 95% of patients undergoing Smart Surface surgery at Planet Lasik achieve uncorrected vision of 6/6 or better, a statistic mirrored globally.

Contoura Vision: Highly-Personalized, Topography-Guided Perfection  

Contoura Vision is another LASIK alternative in India, which is distinguished by its integration of advanced corneal mapping and topography-guided ablation. By capturing up to 22,000 unique elevation points across the cornea, the system builds a “visual fingerprint” for each eye, enabling truly customized correction far beyond what prescription glasses or traditional LASIK provide.   

• Personalized Treatment: No two eyes are alike. Contoura recognizes and treats minute corneal irregularities unique to each patient.  
• Superior Clarity and Contrast: Studies report that nearly 65% of Contoura patients experience vision better than 6/6 (super-vision), with improved contrast sensitivity and color perception.  
• Reduced Night-Time Visual Disturbances: By addressing higher-order aberrations, patients report fewer issues with glare and halos under low-light conditions.  
• Rapid Recovery: Most resume regular activities within 1-2 days, with stable vision often achieved faster than with traditional PRK or LASIK.

Smart Surface vs. Contoura Vision vs. LASIK: A Comparative Table  

Why Smart Surface and Contoura Vision Are the Top Choices in India?  

India’s diverse patient population, from students and young professionals to senior citizens, is driving demand for vision correction that is safe, personalized, and accessible. Smart Surface eye surgery and Contoura Vision are among the best LASIK alternatives in India; each delivers unique advantages:

• Suitability for Complex Cases: Patients previously denied LASIK due to corneal thickness or pre-existing conditions are frequently eligible for Smart Surface.
• Active Lifestyle Compatibility: Athletes, military personnel, and those exposed to impact risk prefer flapless procedures like Smart Surface for safety and durability.
• Superior Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction: Indian studies consistently show higher satisfaction rates and less dependency on corrective lenses post-procedure with advanced techniques.
• Expanding Geographic Access: With CFS’s presence in 31+ cities, even patients from Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns can receive state-of-the-art care close to home.

Patient Experience At Planet Lasik  

The patient journey at Planet Lasik begins with a detailed diagnostic workup, including corneal topography, ocular surface analysis, and precise refractive mapping. Counseling sessions address lifestyle needs, occupational requirements, and expectations.  

Preoperative Safety Emphasis: Only those meeting stringent safety and ocular health benchmarks are cleared for surgery.

Day-of-Surgery Experience: Procedures are completed in under 20 minutes, with supportive staff guiding patients through every step.

Recovery and Aftercare: Smart Surface patients wear a bandage contact lens for ~4 days, while Contoura Vision recipients enjoy rapid functional recovery. Both procedures leverage advanced healing protocols to ensure optimal comfort and outcomes.

Addressing Common Questions & Concerns  

Pain: Smart Surface involves minor temporary discomfort, effectively managed with modern medications; most patients return to work within days.  

Long-Term Stability: Both Smart Surface and Contoura Vision provide stable visual outcomes, with regression rates below 2% at 5 years.  

Cost Considerations: While both are priced above standard LASIK due to technology investments, the long-term value of clearer vision, lower complication risk, and reduced eyewear dependency is significant.

Conclusion  

The transition from LASIK to highly specialized procedures like Smart Surface and Contoura Vision marks a new chapter in Indian eye care. By combining technological sophistication, robust clinical data, and a patient-centric approach, Planet Lasik ensures that every individual receives the right procedure for their unique needs.  

FAQs:

• Is Smart Surface surgery painful compared to LASIK?
  Smart Surface surgery is generally less painful compared to LASIK due to its no-touch, all-laser approach.

• How long is recovery for Contoura Vision?
  Recovery for Contoura Vision is typically quicker, with many patients experiencing significant improvements within a few days.

• Which is safer: Smart Surface or LASIK?
  In terms of safety, Smart Surface is often considered safer due to the reduced risk of complications.

• Can I get Contoura Vision if I’ve had LASIK before?
  Patients who have previously undergone LASIK may still be candidates for Contoura Vision, depending on individual circumstances.

• Is Smart Surface better for dry eyes?
  Smart Surface is particularly beneficial for those with dry eyes, as it minimizes the disruption of the corneal surface.

• Are these surgeries available outside major Indian cities?
  While these advanced surgeries are more readily available in major cities, their accessibility is expanding to other regions in India as well.