Femto LASIK Surgery in India: Procedure, Cost & Recovery
What Is Femto LASIK?
Femto LASIK is bladeless LASIK. Also called femtosecond LASIK, it uses a femtosecond laser instead of a metal blade to create the thin corneal flap, which gives a more precise and predictable flap than a mechanical blade. An excimer laser then reshapes the cornea under the flap. Femto LASIK corrects myopia up to [-8.00 D], hyperopia up to +6.00 D and astigmatism up to 6.00 D.
At Planet LASIK, Femto LASIK is also the base for our personalised LASIK options: Contoura Vision adds topography guidance, and Custom Eyes LASIK adds wavefront guidance. Flapless options such as SMILE and SILK use femtosecond lasers too, but remove a lenticule instead of making a flap. Check if Femto LASIK suits your eyes
How Femto LASIK Works?
Femto LASIK runs in three steps. Two lasers do the work.
- A femtosecond laser creates a thin corneal flap. Instead of a blade, precise laser pulses form the flap in 20 to 30 seconds per eye. No metal instrument touches your eye.
- An excimer laser reshapes the cornea underneath. Your surgeon gently lifts the flap. The excimer laser then removes microscopic amounts of corneal tissue, matched to your specific prescription.
- The flap is placed back into position. It settles naturally without stitches and starts healing right away. In total, both eyes take about 10 to 15 minutes in the laser suite.
Advantages of Femto LASIK
Safety:
- Bladeless: the flap is made by laser, so blade-related complications such as irregular or incomplete flaps are avoided.
- Predictable, uniform flap thickness, more consistent than microkeratome flaps.
- Suits corneas of 500 microns or more.
Precision:
- Flap size, depth and hinge position are set to your corneal measurements.
- Personalised options such as Contoura Vision and Custom Eyes build on Femto LASIK.
Vision quality:
- Sharper vision within 24 hours for most people.
- Stable long-term results once healing is complete.
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Who Is a Candidate for Femto LASIK Surgery in India?
You may be a good candidate if you:
- Are 18 or older, with a prescription that has been stable for at least 12 months
- Have myopia up to [-8.00 D], hyperopia up to +6.00 D or astigmatism up to 6.00 D
- Have corneas of at least [500] microns [Doctor to confirm single threshold]
- Have healthy corneas with no active surface disease and no keratoconus
Who Should Avoid Femto LASIK Surgery
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women (postpone, do not cancel)
- Corneas thinner than the safe threshold for a flap
- Keratoconus, glaucoma or severe uncontrolled dry eye
- Uncontrolled diabetes or autoimmune conditions affecting healing
Femto LASIK Procedure at Planet LASIK
Femto LASIK runs in three phases: the pre-operative work-up, the treatment and the first 24 hours.
Before Femto LASIK: Pre-Operative Tests
Work-up confirms candidacy. Finalises the treatment plan. Budget 90 minutes.
- Visual acuity and refraction tests: The visual acuity test and refraction (both auto and manual) evaluate your eyesight and confirm the exact prescription that needs correcting.
- Corneal topography and pachymetry: These tests use the Pentacam or Orbscan to create a 3D map of your corneal surface, rule out keratoconus, and measure corneal thickness.
- Wavefront and tear film assessment: Wavefront maps higher-order aberrations that a regular prescription cannot describe. A Schirmer’s or TBUT test establishes your baseline dry-eye status before we begin.
- Dilated retinal examination: Rules out any conditions in the retina
The whole battery takes roughly 90 minutes at a Planet LASIK centre. One thing to plan while the surgeon checks eye pressure and flap position.
During the Femto LASIK Procedure
The surgery itself is shorter than the wait beforehand: 10 to 15 minutes per eye.
- Anaesthesia and preparation: Numbing drops go in first. If you are anxious, a mild sedative helps. No needles, no general anaesthesia. A small device gently keeps the eyelids open so blinking is not your problem to manage.
- Femtosecond flap creation: The femtosecond laser forms a thin corneal flap in 20 to 30 seconds. No blade touches the eye.
- Excimer laser reshaping: Your surgeon gently lifts the flap, and the excimer laser removes microscopic amounts of corneal tissue, to match your specific prescription.
- Flap repositioning: The flap is placed back into its original position and self-seals without stitches. It starts healing right away.
Both eyes are usually treated the same day, one after the other, with a short break in between.
After Femto LASIK: The First 24 Hours
You will not be rushed out. Expect an hour or two of observation while the surgeon checks eye pressure, flap position .
- Clearer vision within hours: Most candidates notice clearer vision within hours, though the day usually brings some haze and light sensitivity too.
- Protective shield for sleep: A protective shield stays on for the first 24 hours, mainly to stop you rubbing the eye in your sleep.
- Prescribed drops start immediately: Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops are prescribed for varying durations according to your surgeon’s instructions. Lubricating drops continue longer to support tear film during healing.
- First follow-up next day: Your first follow-up happens within a day to confirm the flap is sitting where it should.
Arrange for someone to drive you home. That part is not optional.
Femto LASIK Surgery Recovery Timeline
Recovery after Femto LASIK eye surgery sits among the fastest in refractive surgery. Most see clearly within 24 hours. Final quality settles over one to three months.
Timeline | What to Expect |
First 24 hours | Mild watering. Grittiness. Light sensitivity. Vision noticeably clears within hours. Shield on for sleep. |
Day 2 to Day 7 | Vision keeps sharpening. Desk work back 2 to 3 days in. Water, dust, fingers away from the eyes. |
Week 2 to Week 4 | Driving once cleared. Workouts back on. Vision stable for most. |
1 to 3 months | Final quality settles. Follow-ups at Month 1 and Month 3. |
Risks, Complications & Side Effects of Femto LASIK
Femto LASIK is among the safer laser procedures, and a bladeless flap reduces several risks. Every surgery carries some risk, though most effects are temporary:
- Temporary dry eyes. Usually gone in 4 to 8 weeks with lubricants.
- Halos or starbursts at night. Early weeks only. Settles as the eye adapts.
- Under- or over-correction. Uncommon. Enhancement fine-tunes it.
- Flap-related issues. Rarer with femtosecond than with blade flaps.
- Infection. Minimal risk when drops are used correctly.
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Is Femto LASIK Safe? Success Rate and Outcomes
- LASIK has been performed since the 1990s and is one of the most studied elective procedures. A world literature review in Ophthalmology (2009) found 95.4% of LASIK patients satisfied with their results.
- Femtosecond flaps are thinner and more uniform than microkeratome flaps, which lowers the risk of flap-related complications.
- Most people reach 20/20 or better vision without glasses once healing is complete.
Medications After Femto LASIK
Three drop categories. Follow the schedule.
- Antibiotic drops: Prevent infection at the flap edge. Four times daily. First week.
- Anti-inflammatory drops: Control inflammation. Tapered over 3 to 4 weeks. From 4 times daily downwards.
- Lubricating drops: Support the tear film through healing. Two to three months. Longer if eyes run dry.
Never stop a drop on your own; the taper exists for a reason.
Dos and Don'ts After Femto LASIK: Aftercare Guide
First two weeks matter most.
Dos:
- Use all three prescribed drops on schedule.
- Wear the protective eye shield while sleeping for the first 3 nights.
- Wear UV-protective sunglasses outdoors.
- Keep screen time short for the first 2 days.
- Attend every scheduled follow-up.
- Sleep on your back for the first 2 to 3 nights to avoid pressure on your eyes.
Don’ts:
- Do not rub or touch your eyes for at least 4 weeks.
- Avoid swimming, hot tubs, and dusty environments for 2 weeks.
- Skip eye makeup for a week and hard workouts for two.
- Do not splash water directly into your eyes for the first week.
- Do not drive until your surgeon clears you.
When to Call Your Doctor After Femto LASIK
Some discomfort and haze are normal in the first 48 hours. After that, contact your Planet LASIK surgeon the same day if you notice:
- Severe eye pain that the prescribed medicines do not relieve
- A sudden drop in vision or new blur after day 2
- A feeling of something under the eyelid, or that the flap has shifted
- Persistent redness, discharge or eyelid swelling
- Strong light sensitivity after the first week
- New flashes, floaters or a curtain-like shadow
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Femto LASIK vs Traditional LASIK vs SMILE vs PRK vs Contoura
Femtosecond LASIK swaps the blade for a laser. Traditional LASIK uses a microkeratome blade. SMILE is flapless. Lenticule-based. PRK removes the surface epithelium. Contoura layers topography guidance on Femto LASIK.
Parameter | Femto LASIK | Traditional LASIK | SMILE | PRK | Contoura Vision |
Flap creation | Femtosecond laser (bladeless) | Microkeratome blade | No flap (lenticule out via side incision) | No flap (epithelium removed) | Femtosecond laser |
Precision | Very high | Moderate | Very high | Moderate | Highest (topography-guided) |
Myopia range | Up to -12.00 D | Up to -12.00 D* | Up to -10.00 D | Up to -6.00 D | Up to -10.00 D |
Astigmatism | Up to 6.00 D | Up to 6.00 D | Up to 5.00 D | Up to 5.00 D | Up to 5.00 D |
Recovery to functional vision | 1 to 2 days | 1 to 2 days | 1 to 3 days | 5 to 7 days | 1 to 2 days |
Thin corneas | Suitable (500+ microns) | Not typically | Suitable | Suitable | Limited |
Dry eye risk | Standard | Higher | Lower | Similar | Standard |
Femto LASIK eye surgery earns its slot for candidates who want bladeless safety with standard prescriptions and adequate corneal thickness. Every procedure in the table is available at Planet LASIK. Evaluation confirms the right choice.
Femto LASIK Cost in India
Femto LASIK cost in India at Planet LASIK starts from approximately ₹80,000 for both eyes. Final Femto LASIK surgery cost depends on the treatment plan.
Package | Approx. Cost (INR) |
Standard Femto LASIK (both eyes) | ₹80,000 to ₹1,10,000 |
What moves Femto LASIK price in India? Surgeon experience. Platform used. Add-ons (Contoura, Custom Eyes). Diagnostics package. City and hospital tier. Health insurance treats refractive surgery as elective, so the Femto LASIK price is usually not covered. No-cost EMI is available. Broader comparison sits on our LASIK pricing guide.
Why Choose Planet LASIK for Femto LASIK?
Considering Femto LASIK with Planet LASIK? You get:
- 95+ centres across India. Nationwide.
- Thousands of Femto LASIK procedures behind senior refractive surgeons.
- Advanced femtosecond and excimer platforms. Bladeless flap creation.
- Full Femto LASIK range under one roof: Standard, Contoura Vision, Custom Eyes.
- Pentacam, Orbscan, wavefront aberrometry behind every plan.
- NABH-accredited facilities. International sterilization protocols.
- Transparent all-inclusive pricing. EMI options available.
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Femto LASIK FAQs
What is the full form of Femto LASIK?
Femto LASIK stands for femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. It is LASIK in which the corneal flap is made with a femtosecond laser instead of a metal blade, which is why it is also called bladeless LASIK.
What is the difference between Femto LASIK and traditional LASIK?
The only difference is how the flap is made. Traditional LASIK uses a microkeratome blade; Femto LASIK uses a femtosecond laser, which gives a thinner, more uniform and more predictable flap. The excimer laser correction that follows is the same.
Is Femto LASIK better than SMILE?
They suit different eyes. Femto LASIK treats myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism and gives very fast visual recovery, but it creates a flap. SMILE is flapless with lower dry-eye risk, but treats myopia and astigmatism only. Your corneal thickness and power decide.
Is Femto LASIK safe?
Yes. LASIK has been performed since the 1990s, and a world literature review in Ophthalmology found that 95.4% of LASIK patients were satisfied with their results. Femtosecond flaps further reduce flap-related complications compared with blade flaps.
How long does Femto LASIK take?
The femtosecond laser makes the flap in about 20 to 30 seconds and the excimer laser treatment takes under a minute. In total, both eyes take about 10 to 15 minutes in the laser suite.
What is the recovery time after Femto LASIK?
Most people see clearly within 24 hours and return to desk work in 2 to 3 days. Driving and workouts resume within 1 to 2 weeks once your surgeon clears you, and final vision settles over one to three months.
How much does Femto LASIK cost in India?
At Planet LASIK, Femto LASIK costs Rs 80,000 to Rs 1,10,000 for both eyes, depending on the treatment plan and diagnostics. Contoura Vision and Custom Eyes build on Femto LASIK and are priced separately.
Who is a good candidate for Femto LASIK?
Adults over 18 with stable power for 12 months, healthy corneas of at least 500 microns and no keratoconus. People with thinner corneas may be better suited to SmartSurf, PRK or SMILE.
What is Femto Contoura LASIK?
Femto Contoura is Contoura Vision performed with a femtosecond-laser flap. The flap is made the same way as Femto LASIK, but the excimer treatment is planned on a 22,000-point corneal map rather than your spectacle power alone.
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