LASIK in Singapore – everything you need to know about suitability, costs and risks

When LASIK was first introduced, patients had to undergo surgery one eye at a time — because of the risk of infection to both eyes, and because laser accuracy was less precise. As these are no longer concerns today, the majority of LASIK procedures in Singapore are done on both eyes in the same sitting, minimising your downtime after surgery.

However, if you prefer to stagger the procedures, surgeons are usually happy to oblige your request.

Collagen Cross-Linking (CXL) is a top-up procedure done at the same session as your LASIK procedure, aimed at strengthening the cornea to:

• Reduce the risk of Corneal Ectasia — a rare complication where the cornea loses its ability to keep its shape, degrading vision.
• Extend the longevity of the laser results.
• Minimise the possibility of an enhancement after the first procedure.

The process consists of applying drops of Vitamin B2 to your eye during the laser treatment. UV light is then shone on your eye for about 1 minute which activates the collagen fibres to cross-link and strengthen the cornea. The whole process adds merely another 5 minutes to the procedure time.

Studies have indicated that generally, people with high eye power have a greater tendency to suffer a regression. If you have CXL done, it can reduce the chance of this happening, as well as reduce the risk of Corneal Ectasia which may occur many years after LASIK surgery.

Stop using soft contact lenses at least 3 days before the surgery, and at least 14 days for hard lenses.

If you want to have Collagen Cross-Linking on top of your procedure, do not consume large amounts of Vitamin C 1 week before the surgery. Having small pieces of fruits and vegetables containing Vitamin C is fine.

You can expect to spend a total of about 2 hours in the hospital/clinic, with the procedure itself taking about 30 minutes for 2 eyes.

You will experience blurry vision during the first 6 hours, so it will be helpful to have someone accompany you home after the procedure. Otherwise, you are still able to make your own way home in a cab.

Do follow all medical instructions strictly. You will also be provided with eye shields to be used while sleeping during the first week to prevent accidental rubbing of your eyes.

You will be required to return for post-operative reviews. The general timeline is:

• LASIK / ReLEx® SMILE: 1 day, 1 week and 1 month post-surgery. Depending on your recovery, your eye surgeon may want to review you again at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year post-surgery.
• ASA: 1 day, 3 days, 1 week and 1 month post-surgery. Depending on your recovery, your eye surgeon may want to review you again at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year post-surgery.

Of the 3 procedures, LASIK and ReLEx® SMILE have the fastest recovery time, followed by ASA. The majority of LASIK and ReLEx® SMILE patients can resume work/school after resting for 3 days, though some return to work the next day. For ASA patients, this usually takes 5 to 7 days.

Follow these precautions after surgery to ensure the best outcomes:

• 12 hours: Avoid prolonged reading, computer work or watching TV
• 24 hours: Do not drive vehicles or operate heavy machinery
• 1 week: Do not use eye makeup; avoid smoky and dusty places; avoid getting water into your eyes when washing your face or bathing
• 1 month: Avoid swimming, jacuzzi, sauna, hot tubs and hot yoga; avoid contact sports and prevent sweat from entering your eyes by using a headband

Studies have shown that more than 95% of patients continue to enjoy good vision many years after having their procedure done. However, some patients (up to 6%) may require an enhancement procedure for short-sightedness, long-sightedness or astigmatism within 10 years of having the surgery.

If you develop cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration (eye diseases that typically occur due to ageing), you can still go for surgery to correct them.

If you like putting on cosmetic and coloured contact lenses for aesthetic reasons, you may do so, but only 1 to 3 months after your surgery. However, due to the altered shape of your cornea post-procedure, your contact lenses may not fit as well as before, and they may also tend to fall out, especially if you have dry eye.

To prevent this from occurring, you should have an optometrist prescribe contact lenses that are shaped for a better fit with your cornea.

When deciding who to go to for your surgery, keep in mind the following considerations:

• The ability of the surgeon to listen to your needs and provide an unbiased consultation
• Transparency in pricing with neither hidden costs nor hard-selling/upselling
• The credentials and experience of the eye surgeon and eye centre
• The percentage of patients who require an enhancement after surgery
• The laser technology adopted by the eye centre
• The availability of the full spectrum of treatment choices to enable a customised approach
• The level of service provided by the eye centre

Ultimately, you should choose the eye surgeon/centre you feel the most comfortable with. Your sight is precious, and you should do all you can to ensure a positive outcome for your health and well-being.

No, there are various treatment options for short-sightedness. In short, we can help with Laser Vision Correction (ReLEx® SMILE, LASIK or PRK), Implantable Contact Lens, or Refractive Lens Exchange.

The minimum age is 18 years (with parental consent required if under 21 in Singapore). Your eye prescription must be stable for at least 12 months.

There's no strict upper age limit, but patients should ensure they do not have age-related eye conditions like cataracts before proceeding.

Yes, LASIK can effectively treat astigmatism up to 350 degrees when combined with myopia or hyperopia. The wavefront-guided technology used in modern LASIK is effective for astigmatism correction.

Choose LASIK if you want:

• Quick recovery time
• Minimal discomfort
• Ability to treat hyperopia and higher prescriptions

Choose PRK if you have:

• Thin corneas
• A very active lifestyle (contact sports)
• Concerns about flap-related complications

Choose SMILE if you want:

• Fast recovery
• Reduced risk of dry eye
• A flapless approach suitable for active lifestyles

• Arrange transportation home (you should not drive)
• Take the day off work
• Arrange for someone to accompany you if possible
• Bring sunglasses for light sensitivity
• Plan to rest at home after the procedure

Singapore clinics use technology including:

• Femtosecond lasers for bladeless flap creation
• Wavefront-guided excimer lasers
• Iris registration for precise treatment alignment
• Topographic-guided treatments for irregular corneas

You can gradually return to sports:

• Non-contact sports: After 1 week
• Swimming: After 1 month
• Contact sports: After 1 month, but PRK/SMILE may be better options for regular contact sport participants

Most patients experience improved night driving after the initial healing period. However, some may experience temporary halos or glare for the first few months. Wavefront-guided LASIK significantly reduces these risks.