If you are tired of glasses fogging up, contact lenses drying your eyes, or reaching for your specs the moment you wake up, you have probably heard of laser eye surgery. But when you start asking about LASIK surgery in Berhampur, you may hear three different names — LASIK, Contoura LASIK and PRK — and it is not always clear how they differ.
All three use a laser to reshape the front of the eye so you can see clearly with less need for glasses. The right one for you depends on your eyes, not on which sounds most advanced. This guide explains each option in plain language, so you can have a better conversation with your eye doctor.
How does laser vision correction work?
Blurred vision without glasses is usually caused by a refractive error — the eye does not bend (refract) light so that it focuses exactly on the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. The three common types are:
- Short-sight (myopia): distant objects look blurred.
- Long-sight (hyperopia): close objects are harder to focus on.
- Astigmatism: an unevenly curved eye surface makes vision blurred or stretched at all distances.
The cornea — the clear dome at the front of the eye — does most of the eye's focusing. Laser vision correction changes the shape of the cornea by a tiny, precisely calculated amount, so that light focuses correctly again. LASIK, Contoura and PRK are three ways of doing this.
LASIK
In LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis), the surgeon creates a very thin flap on the surface of the cornea and folds it back. A laser then reshapes the tissue underneath, and the flap is laid back in place, where it heals naturally without stitches.
Who it suits: adults, usually 18 or older, whose glasses power has been stable for at least a year, and whose corneas are healthy and thick enough.
What recovery is like: the eye may water or feel gritty on the first day. Most people notice clearer vision within a day or two, and vision continues to settle over the following weeks. Because the surface is covered by the flap, LASIK is usually more comfortable in the first days than PRK.
Contoura LASIK
Contoura LASIK is a form of LASIK that is guided by corneal topography — a detailed map of the shape of your cornea. Standard LASIK is planned mainly from your glasses power. Contoura also uses this map, so the treatment can address small irregularities in the corneal surface as well as the glasses power.
Who it suits: people who are suitable for LASIK, particularly those with astigmatism or minor irregularities in the cornea. The procedure and recovery are much the same as standard LASIK; the difference is in how the treatment is planned.
It is not automatically the "better" choice for everyone. Your doctor will look at your topography scan and recommend Contoura or standard LASIK based on your measurements.
PRK
In PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), no flap is made. Instead, the thin outer skin of the cornea (the epithelium) is gently removed, the laser reshapes the surface, and a soft "bandage" contact lens is placed on the eye while the skin grows back over a few days.
Who it suits: people whose corneas are too thin for LASIK, and people whose work or sport carries a risk of a blow to the eye, where a flap could be disturbed.
What recovery is like: slower and less comfortable at first than LASIK. Watering, sensitivity to light and discomfort are common for a few days while the surface heals, and vision improves gradually over days to weeks. Long-term results are generally similar to LASIK — the main difference is those first few days.
LASIK, Contoura and PRK at a glance
- Flap: LASIK and Contoura create a thin flap; PRK does not.
- Planning: LASIK and PRK are planned mainly from your glasses power; Contoura also uses a detailed map of your cornea.
- Early recovery: LASIK and Contoura usually feel better within a day or two; PRK takes several days.
- Thin corneas or contact sports: PRK is often the safer choice.
- Final result: for suitable patients, all three can reduce or remove the need for distance glasses.
What if I am not suitable for laser surgery?
Laser correction is not right for everyone. Very high glasses power, thin or irregular corneas, keratoconus (a thinning, cone-shaped cornea) and some other eye conditions can make it unsafe. In these cases a phakic IOL — a thin lens placed inside the eye in front of your natural lens — may be an option. A full examination tells you which choices are open to you.
The pre-LASIK check-up: why it matters
The most important step is not the laser itself but the assessment before it. A thorough pre-LASIK check-up usually includes:
- measuring your glasses power carefully, often more than once
- corneal topography to map the shape of the cornea
- pachymetry to measure corneal thickness
- checking your tear film for dry eye
- examining the retina and the rest of the eye for any disease
If you wear soft contact lenses, you will be asked to stop wearing them for some days before the check-up, because lenses can temporarily change the shape of the cornea.
Risks and side effects to know about
Laser vision correction is a well-established procedure, but like any surgery it carries some risks. Your doctor should discuss these with you:
- Dry eyes for weeks or months afterwards, usually managed with lubricating drops.
- Glare or haloes around lights, especially at night, which usually settle with time.
- Under- or over-correction, which may occasionally need glasses or a further treatment.
- Flap-related problems after LASIK or Contoura, which are uncommon.
- Haze on the cornea after PRK, which is uncommon and usually fades.
Laser surgery also does not stop the natural ageing of the eye. Most people need reading glasses after about 40 because of presbyopia, whether or not they have had laser surgery.
Questions to ask your eye doctor
- Am I suitable for LASIK, Contoura or PRK — and why?
- What is my corneal thickness and shape, and how does that affect the choice?
- What results can I realistically expect for my glasses power?
- What should I do, and avoid, in the weeks after surgery?
- How many follow-up visits will I need?
Frequently asked questions
Does laser eye surgery hurt?
The eye is numbed with drops before the procedure, and you stay awake. Most people feel pressure rather than pain during the treatment. Some discomfort afterwards is common, particularly after PRK.
Are both eyes done on the same day?
Usually yes, for LASIK and Contoura. Your doctor will confirm this after your check-up.
How long do the results last?
The reshaping of the cornea is permanent. Your eyes can still change with age, which is why reading glasses are often needed later in life.
Can I have laser surgery if I am over 40?
Often yes, if your eyes are healthy and suitable. Your doctor will explain how presbyopia affects your options.
Laser vision correction in Berhampur
At Ruby Eye Hospital, Dr. Praveen Subudhi is a cornea and anterior segment specialist who trained in cornea and refractive surgery at Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai. A detailed pre-LASIK check-up is the first step: it tells you whether LASIK, Contoura LASIK or PRK is suitable for your eyes, and what you can expect.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sweta Patro