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What is LASIK Eye Surgery?
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a popular eye surgery used to correct vision issues like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. This procedure reshapes the cornea, allowing light to focus correctly on the retina for clearer vision.
Laser eye surgery is performed using a specialised laser that removes a small amount of corneal tissue, improving the eye's focusing ability. The procedure is typically quick, taking about 30 minutes and recovery is relatively fast. Most patients notice improved vision within 24 to 48 hours. LASIK is known for providing long-lasting results, significantly reducing the need for glasses or contact lenses. It is a suitable option for many adults with stable vision and is considered safe with minimal discomfort.
LASIK eye surgery corrects vision problems by reshaping the cornea. This surgery treats various vision conditions, relieving the hassles of wearing prescription glasses or lenses. This type of surgery, however, is not considered urgent, thus raising the question among insured persons, “Does my health insurance cover LASIK?”
Types of LASIK Eye Surgery
There are several types of LASIK surgeries in India tailored to individual eye conditions. Each type of LASIK eye surgery has unique benefits and caters to different eye conditions. Your eye doctor will recommend the most suitable option based on your condition and corneal structure.
Who Requires LASIK Eye Surgery?
People who require LASIK typically experience:
Difficulty focusing on objects due to myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness).
Distorted vision caused by astigmatism.
Desire to improve their vision without using their glasses or lenses.
It is recommended for those who qualify the following criteria:
LASIK eye surgery age limit is above 18 years of age. It is even better if the person is above 21 years of age as the vision mostly stops changing.
Whose prescription for vision has remained unchanged for at least a year.
Whose refractive index can be corrected with the help of LASIK surgery.
Whose corneas are thick and healthy enough to sustain the laser surgery.
Who has optimum eye health.
Who Should Not Get LASIK Surgery?
Not everyone is a candidate for this laser treatment for eyesight. Patients with glaucoma, cataracts, or certain other eye diseases are also advised against LASIK unless cleared by their doctor. Individuals with large pupils or those with a history of eye infections should also discuss these risks with their surgeon before deciding. Since risk factors like thin corneas, chronic dry eyes or an unstable prescription are included with this surgery, fulfilling the above eligibility is crucial. Individuals who should avoid LASIK include:
Diagnosis for LASIK Eye Surgery
This surgery requires a comprehensive before-and-after LASIK eye surgery exam to determine if you are a suitable candidate and if there are no complications. This evaluation helps identify any underlying eye conditions and assesses the structure of your eyes to ensure LASIK will be effective and safe for you. The exam typically includes measuring your cornea, checking for refractive errors, and assessing the overall health of your eyes. During the diagnosis process, your eye doctor will:
Measure Corneal Thickness
This is important to determine if your cornea has enough tissue for the procedure. People with thin corneas may not be ideal candidates for this laser eye correction surgery.
Check Refractive Errors
Your prescription for your glasses or contact lenses will be evaluated to see if LASIK can correct your nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
Assess Pupil Size
Large pupils could increase the risk of side effects like halos or glare at night.
Evaluate Dry Eyes
LASIK can sometimes worsen dry eye symptoms, so your doctor will assess if you have this condition.
Check for Eye Diseases
Any existing eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, or corneal abnormalities will be evaluated as these can complicate the surgery.
Perform a Wavefront Analysis
This creates a detailed map of your eye to identify any irregularities, allowing for a more personalised LASIK procedure.
Test Tear Production
Ensures that your eyes produce enough tears to keep the eyes moist after the surgery.
General Health Check
Certain medical conditions like diabetes or autoimmune diseases can affect healing. Thus, your doctors will evaluate these factors as well.
What Happens After LASIK Eye Surgery?
Post-laser eye surgery, patients may experience mild discomfort, blurred vision or watery eyes, which is normal and usually subsides within a few days.
Immediately after the procedure, the doctor will provide protective shields to wear, especially while sleeping, to avoid accidental rubbing.
Vision may start improving within 24 hours, although full clarity can take a few weeks. Most individuals return to regular activities within a couple of days but may need to avoid strenuous activities and swimming for several weeks.
Follow-up appointments will be scheduled, which are essential to monitor healing and to address any concerns about visual adjustments.
Your doctor will prescribe eye drops to manage dryness and prevent infection. They will also prescribe the optimal way to use them during recovery.
Vision should stabilise in about one to three months, and the full benefits of the procedure should become noticeable gradually.
Tips for Before and After LASIK Eye Surgery Care Before Surgery
Stop Wearing Lenses
Follow your doctor’s instructions on not wearing contact lenses before the procedure, as contacts can affect corneal shape.
Switch to Glasses
It is ideal that you stop wearing lenses before getting your baseline evaluation done and wear glasses full-time.
Avoid Eye Makeup
Avoid using creams, lotions, or makeup near your eyes to reduce the risk of infection.
Arrange Post-Surgery Transport
Arrange for someone to drive you home post-surgery, as your vision will be blurry right after.
When Should I Go to the ER After LASIK Treatment?
Seek emergency care if you experience severe pain, sudden loss of vision, or notice large amounts of discharge from the eye. These could indicate a rare complication after your laser eye surgery.
Other concerning signs include light sensitivity that worsens over time, intense eye redness or seeing halos around lights that do not improve.
If these symptoms occur, contact your ophthalmologist immediately or go to the ER to prevent any lasting issues with vision.
What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor About LASIK Treatment?
Before considering laser eye surgery, asking the right questions can help you understand if the procedure is right for you. Start by discussing your medical history and vision goals with your eye specialist. Key questions should cover risks, success rates and what results to expect based on your eye health.
Here are the questions to ask:
- Am I a suitable candidate for LASIK?
- What potential risks or side effects should I be aware of?
- How long will recovery take, and what should I expect?
- Will I need glasses or contact lenses after surgery?
- What alternative treatments are available?
How Much Does LASIK Eye Surgery Cost in India?
The LASIK eye surgery cost in India typically ranges from ₹20,000 to ₹1,50,000 per eye. It varies depending on the clinic, surgeon’s expertise, individual case and type of LASIK performed. Standard LASIK generally costs less, while advanced options like bladeless or wavefront-guided LASIK are more expensive.
City and clinic reputation also play a role, with higher eye laser treatment costs often found in metro cities and more specialised clinics.
This LASIK eye surgery cost generally covers pre-operative evaluations, the procedure itself, and a few post-operative check-ups. However, exact costs vary, so it is advisable to check directly with a clinic for an accurate estimate.
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Why Buy a Medical Insurance Plan for LASIK Treatment?
A medical insurance plan is essential for safeguarding your financial well-being in case of unexpected healthcare expenses. With the rising cost of medical treatments, even a single hospital visit can lead to significant out-of-pocket expenses. By purchasing our LASIK eye surgery health insurance plan, you can protect yourself and your family from the financial burden of medical emergencies.
Coverage for High LASIK Eye Surgery Cost
Whether it is a planned surgery or an emergency, medical insurance covers hospitalisation, LASIK surgery, medications and treatment.
Access to Quality Healthcare
Having health insurance for laser eye surgery allows you to get treated at the best hospitals without worrying about the cost.
Preventive Care
Many of our health plans cover preventive health check-ups, ensuring early detection of potential health issues.
Tax Benefits
Under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act (Old Tax Regime), you can claim tax deductions for the premiums paid on health insurance.
Reliance Health Insurance Plans for LASIK Eye Surgery
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) provides specific guidelines for insurance for laser eye correction surgery. According to the directive, health insurance providers may cover LASIK surgery if the refractive error reaches or exceeds 7.5 diopters.
Reliance Health Insurance Plan | Laser Eye Surgery Health Cover |
|---|---|
Reliance Health Gain Insurance | LASIK may be covered if medically necessary. Reliance Health Gain considers LASIK only if vision correction exceeds -7.5 diopters. |
Reliance Health Infinity Insurance | Provides extended coverage options, including LASIK, when medically necessary and not purely for cosmetic correction.
The covered surgery must correct eyesight for refractive error above 14 dioptre. |
Reliance Health Super Top-Up | Primarily designed to enhance existing health coverage, including for higher laser vision correction costs.
This provides coverage for treating the error above dioptre 7.5.
Policyholders should verify the conditions under which LASIK is covered, as certain exclusions may apply based on IRDAI’s policies. |
Disclaimers: We advise you to review individual policy wording here, and check with us to confirm specific eligibility for LASIK coverage.
Steps to Buying Health Insurance for Laser Eye Surgery Online
Visit the IndusInd General Insurance Website
Head to the IndusInd General Insurance website and select the “Health Insurance” section from the main menu.
Browse Health Insurance Plans
Review available health insurance for laser eye surgery to check if LASIK is covered under any plans, such as Reliance Health Gain or Health Infinity plans. Consider whether you need additional options, like coverage for higher medical expenses or post-surgery care.
Enter Personal Details
Fill in the required fields, including name, age, and contact information. If you are insuring family members, include their details as well.
Customise the Policy
Choose your preferred sum insured amount, such as ₹15 lakh, and check if specific add-ons are available for LASIK-related costs, like reduction of waiting periods. Using our health insurance premium calculator, you can determine the policy price based on your required coverage.
Review Instant Quote and Purchase
After customising, view the instant quote. If it meets your needs, proceed to pay the premium online. We will send the policy document to your registered email address to confirm your laser eye surgery health cover.
Disclaimer
List of Documents for Buying IndusInd Health Insurance Online
Proof of age with documents such as a birth certificate, passport, driving licence, etc.
Identity proof, such as a passport, driving licence, an Aadhaar card, etc.
Relevant medical records about your vision
Prescription from stating the medical need for LASIK surgery.
Documents to verify your address, such as ration card, utility bills, Aadhaar card, etc.
C-KYC documents
Things to Remember Before Buying and Filing a Claim for LASIK Eye Surgery Health Insurance
When buying insurance that covers LASIK eye surgery from us, it is essential to confirm whether the policy provides coverage specifically for corrective eye surgery, as not all of our health insurance plans include it.
Policies with LASIK coverage have waiting periods, specific eligibility criteria and exclusions, so understanding these conditions is crucial.
Points to Consider
Points to Consider Before Buying Medical Insurance for LASIK Surgery
Coverage Limitations: Check if your refractive error qualifies for coverage, as some policies cover LASIK only when the refractive error exceeds a specific threshold.
Waiting Periods: Verify the waiting period applicable to LASIK coverage in your chosen plan.
Pre-Existing Conditions: LASIK coverage may exclude pre-existing eye conditions, so review exclusions.
Points to Consider When Filing a Claim for Medical Insurance for LASIK Surgery
Documentation: Maintain all necessary documents, including prescriptions, medical records, and receipts.
Network Hospitals: Using network hospitals can simplify the claim process.
Policy Terms: Understand deductibles, co-payments, and policy limits that may apply.
Conclusion
LASIK eye surgery is a popular choice for vision correction, offering freedom from glasses or contact lenses. However, it is essential to weigh the benefits against potential risks and consider your eye health and lifestyle before making a decision.
Thorough research on LASIK coverage options, including IRDAI’s guidelines and the specific conditions of your health insurance policy, can help streamline the process.
Additionally, to ensure that you maximise your benefits and have a smooth experience, both surgically and financially, invest in our LASIK eye surgery health insurance. We offer coverage through three health insurance plans with a high claim settlement ratio and 24/7 customer assistance. With us, you can enjoy peace of mind and receive high-quality treatment.
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Disclaimer:
*T&C Apply. For more details on risk factors, terms conditions, brochure, and exclusions, please read the policy wording and CIS carefully before concluding a sale.
The total no. of customers insured data is for FY24 and has been picked up from the number of lives insured for Health, Personal Accident, Overseas Travel, Domestic Travel, Workmen Compensation and Crop Insurance, Weather LOB & Fire LOB provided by IRDAI count that is master policy count. Other than these LOBs, we have also provided data for the number of certificates issued.
Claim Settlement: This is the overall claim settlement ratio for FY 2023-24 without claim outstanding at the start of the financial year as per public disclosure of Reliance General Insurance Co. Ltd.
Premium: The premium mentioned is excluding taxes for single person aged between 5 years to 20 years with individual health policy for Sum Insured of ₹3 lakhs considering no adverse health conditions/pre-existing disease/medical conditions with waiting period of 3 years. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings. Premium used is 2,919/year converted into a month which gives us Rs.243/month (2,919/12).
Health Infinity UIN: The details mentioned above are for Reliance Health Infinity Insurance UIN: RELHLIP23120V042223
Health Gain UIN: The details mentioned above are for Reliance Health Gain Policy. Reliance Health Gain UIN: RELHLIP22229V032122
Health Super Top-Up UIN: The details mentioned above are for Reliance Health Super Top Up. UIN- RELHLIP21617V012021.
Heath Global UIN: Details mentioned above are for Reliance Health Global UIN: IRDAN103RP0001V01202324