LASIK Eye Surgery in Delhi, From the Centre That Brought LASIK to Delhi in 1999

Choosing LASIK in Delhi comes down to four questions: what it costs, whether your eyes are suitable, which procedure fits your prescription, and who you can trust to do it. This guide answers all four, from Visual Aids Centre, the first eye centre to introduce LASIK surgery in Delhi in 1999, with more than 250,000 laser vision correction procedures performed since 1980, the highest number by a private eye centre in India.

What is LASIK eye surgery?

LASIK eye surgery is a laser procedure that reshapes the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, to correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. It removes or sharply reduces dependence on glasses and contact lenses, typically within 24 to 48 hours.

In everyday use, "LASIK" has become Delhi's shorthand for an entire family of laser vision correction procedures. Some create a corneal flap (Femto LASIK), some are completely flapless and touchless (TransPRK), and the newest remove a microscopic lens-shaped layer through a keyhole incision (SMILE Pro). They differ in how they access the cornea, but all share the same goal: focusing light correctly on your retina so you see clearly without specs.

Which of these is right for you depends on your eye power, corneal thickness, and lifestyle. But before comparing procedures, most people in Delhi want the first question answered: what does it actually cost?

How much does LASIK eye surgery cost in Delhi?

LASIK surgery in Delhi costs between Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 1,50,000 for both eyes, depending on the technology used, the surgeon's experience, and your eye's complexity. At Visual Aids Centre, laser vision correction starts at Rs. 50,000 for both eyes, including pre-operative evaluation and scheduled follow-ups.

LASIK cost at Visual Aids Centre (2026)

Final cost is confirmed only after your pre-operative evaluation, because suitability, not preference, determines the right procedure. Contoura Vision pricing varies within its range based on your corneal map and the treatment plan it requires.

What your package includes

Your quoted price covers both eyes, the procedure itself, and your scheduled post-operative reviews. Ask our team for the current inclusions and the touch-up policy in writing when you book, so there are no surprises later.

Why LASIK prices vary so widely across Delhi

A Rs. 20,000 quote and a Rs. 1,50,000 quote are not the same product. Price differences come from the laser platform generation, whether single-use consumables are used per patient, the depth of the pre-operative diagnostic workup, and the surgeon's experience. When comparing quotes, ask each centre the same three questions: which machine, what's included, and what happens if a touch-up is needed.

Insurance and EMI

Most standard health insurance policies in India treat LASIK as elective; however, several insurers cover laser correction when the refractive error exceeds a defined threshold (commonly -7.5D or higher), so check your policy's refractive surgery clause. We provide the documentation insurers require, and our team can walk you through current EMI options when you book.

The price only matters if your eyes are suitable in the first place. So before choosing a procedure, the real question is: are you a candidate at all?

Am I eligible for LASIK eye surgery?

You are generally eligible for LASIK if you are 18 or older, your glasses prescription has been stable for about a year, your corneas are thick and healthy, and you have no conditions like keratoconus, uncontrolled diabetes, or active eye disease. Pregnancy temporarily excludes candidacy.

You're likely suitable if:

• You're 18 or older (most surgeons prefer 21+ for very high powers)
• Your power has changed no more than 0.5D in the last 12 months
• Your myopia is up to about -8D, hyperopia up to about +5D, or astigmatism up to about 6D (laser procedures; higher powers have lens-based options below)
• Corneal thickness measured by pachymetry is adequate for your correction
• Your eyes are free of active infection, inflammation, or significant dryness

LASIK is not advised if:

• You have keratoconus or significant corneal thinning
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding (hormonal changes shift your power temporarily)
• You have uncontrolled diabetes or active autoimmune disease affecting healing
• You have advanced glaucoma or a vision-affecting cataract (different treatments apply)

When we advise against LASIK

Not everyone who walks into Visual Aids Centre walks out with a surgery date, and that is by design. A meaningful share of the people we evaluate are advised against laser correction after their diagnostic workup, because their corneal map, thickness, or tear film makes another path safer. If that's you, we'll tell you plainly and explain your alternatives: specialised lens fittings, lens-based surgical options, or simply waiting until your power stabilises. A centre that never says "no" to LASIK is not evaluating; it's selling.

What the pre-LASIK evaluation actually checks

Your suitability is determined by a roughly two-hour diagnostic workup, not a conversation. It includes corneal topography (a 3D map of your cornea's shape), pachymetry (thickness measurement), refraction under dilation, tear-film analysis for dryness, pupil measurement, and a dilated retina examination. You'll need to stop soft contact lenses for about 3 to 7 days before this evaluation (longer for semi-soft lenses), and you shouldn't drive yourself home, because dilation blurs near vision for a few hours.

If the evaluation clears you, the next decision is which procedure, and this is where most people get lost in marketing names. Here's how to actually choose.

Which laser eye procedure is right for you in Delhi?

The right laser procedure depends on five factors: your eye power, corneal thickness, dryness tendency, profession, and budget. Femto LASIK suits most moderate powers; TransPRK suits thin corneas; SMILE Pro minimises dryness; Contoura and InnovEyes handle complex, irregular prescriptions.

Decision matrix: your situation and your likely procedure

Your surgeon's recommendation after the diagnostic workup overrides any table, including this one.

Femto LASIK

A femtosecond laser creates an ultra-thin corneal flap, with no blade touching the eye, and an excimer laser then reshapes the cornea beneath it to your exact prescription. The flap settles back without stitches and seals naturally. It's the most widely performed laser vision correction worldwide, suited to most myopic prescriptions up to about -8D with normal corneal thickness. Patients typically notice clear vision by the next morning and return to desk work within two to three days. If your evaluation shows a regular cornea and moderate power, this is usually the benchmark against which other options are compared. Read the full Femto LASIK guide.

Contoura Vision (topography-guided LASIK)

Contoura Vision is topography-guided LASIK: before treatment, a topolyzer maps roughly 22,000 points on your cornea, and the laser corrects not just your glasses number but the microscopic surface irregularities a prescription can't describe. For the right candidate, the result is sharper, higher-contrast vision, especially valuable for high cylindrical (astigmatism) powers and subtly uneven corneas. The procedure itself feels identical to Femto LASIK; the difference lies in the planning. Whether the extra customisation will benefit you is visible in your topography scans, which we review with you before recommending it. Explore Contoura Vision.

TransPRK

TransPRK is a surface procedure: the laser removes the cornea's outer skin layer (epithelium) and reshapes the cornea in one touchless, flapless step. No blade, no suction, no instrument contacting your eye. Because no flap is ever created, the cornea retains maximum structural strength, which is why it's the standard recommendation for thin corneas and for defence, police, and contact-sport careers where eye impact is a realistic possibility. The trade-off is honest: early recovery is slower, with a bandage contact lens for about five days and vision sharpening over one to two weeks, but long-term outcomes match flap procedures. Learn about TransPRK.

SMILE Pro

SMILE Pro is the latest generation of keyhole laser vision correction. A robotic femtosecond laser shapes a microscopic lens-shaped layer (lenticule) inside the intact cornea in seconds, and the surgeon removes it through a 2 to 4 mm incision. No flap, no surface removal. Because the corneal surface and most of its nerves stay untouched, dry-eye risk is meaningfully lower, which is why it's our usual recommendation for heavy screen users and anyone whose tear-film tests show a dryness tendency. Recovery is fast and comfortable, with most patients back at their desks within two to three days. See how SMILE Pro works.

WaveLight Plus InnovEyes

WaveLight Plus InnovEyes is ray-tracing-guided LASIK. Its diagnostics measure your whole eye (cornea, lens, and eye length) and AI builds a 3D digital model of it, called an "EyeVatar", to calculate a fully individualised correction rather than applying an average-eye treatment to your numbers. For complex prescriptions and higher-order aberrations, this can deliver vision quality sharper than glasses ever achieved, with some patients testing better than 6/6. It's also a premium option, and the honest position is that not every eye benefits from the extra customisation. Your scans tell us whether yours will. Discover InnovEyes ray-tracing LASIK.

You've seen the options, but options mean little without knowing who's behind the laser. Here's why patients have trusted this centre for over four decades.

Why choose Visual Aids Centre for LASIK in Delhi?

Visual Aids Centre, founded in 1980 by Vipin Buckshey, was the first eye centre to introduce LASIK surgery in Delhi in 1999, and has performed over 250,000 laser vision correction procedures, the highest number by a private eye centre in India, with a Padma Shri-honoured founder and 4,000+ Google reviews.

These aren't adjectives; they're checkable facts:

• First in Delhi (1999). We didn't adopt LASIK; we introduced it to this city, and have stayed at the forefront of laser vision correction with constant technology upgrades every year since.
• 250,000+ laser vision correction procedures since 1980, the highest number performed by a private eye centre in India.
• A Padma Shri-honoured founder. For his contribution and expertise in eye care and laser vision correction, the Indian Government conferred Vipin Buckshey with the Padmashri, one of India's highest civilian recognitions.
• Documented in the national press. India Today, Hindustan Times and Business Standard have covered the centre's work, including bringing Delhi's first AI-enabled robotic laser vision correction.
• Technology portfolio. From the robotic SMILE Pro platform to Delhi's first AI ray-tracing system (WaveLight Plus InnovEyes), every machine here was brought in for a specific patient benefit: lower dryness, thinner-cornea safety, or sharper customisation. See the full technology portfolio.
• 4,000+ Google reviews. Read them unfiltered on our Google profile.

Our team

Padmashri Vipin Buckshey, Optometrist and Laser Vision Correction Specialist, has worked for over four decades in eye care. A 1977 graduate of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, he founded Visual Aids Centre in 1980 and led it to become the first eye centre of Delhi to introduce LASIK surgery in 1999. He has served as the official optometrist to the President of India, catered to several former Presidents and Prime Ministers, and is a former president of the Indian Optometric Association. As a guest lecturer, he has spoken extensively on laser vision correction across India and internationally.

Dr. Anuj Kumar Singh, Ophthalmologist, brings more than three decades of experience. He completed his MBBS and MD (Ophthalmology) from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, served as Senior Resident (Registrar) for Corneal and Refractive Surgery at AIIMS from 1988 to 1991, and was part of the Diplomat National Board at the National Academy of Medical Sciences in 1990. A member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery since 1991, he has contributed as faculty, panelist, moderator and instructor at national and international forums on refractive surgery and LASIK, published original papers in the field, and undertaken hands-on advanced LASIK training with Professor Michael Knorz (Mannheim, Germany), Dr. Keith Williams (Canada) and Professor Cze-Hong Low (Singapore).

What our LASIK patients say

Visual Aids Centre holds a 5-star rating from 4,000+ Google reviews. The verbatim experiences below, from patients who had LASIK and SMILE Pro here, reflect what people consistently mention: a smooth, painless procedure, doctors who answer every question, and supportive staff through checkups and recovery.

"My experience has been really amazing. Doctors are very cooperative before and after the surgery as well. My surgery went very smoothly and it was all good with all the support of staff. Thank you so much Visual Aids Centre."

Archita Nigam

"I had my LASIK eye surgery from Visual Aids Centre and I feel that was the best decision I ever took in my life! The doctors and staff down there were so helpful and it never feels you are alone at any point during the procedure. They answered all my queries and explained the best packages available! Much recommended!!"

Mrudula Lukose

"My daughter and I had an amazing experience with the SMILE Pro procedure. Dr. Vipin Buckshey and Arjun Buckshey were absolutely wonderful throughout the entire journey. Their professionalism, expertise, and warm, caring approach made us feel comfortable and confident from the very beginning. They patiently answered all our questions and ensured everything went smoothly. The procedure was seamless, and the results have been fantastic. We are truly grateful for the exceptional care and highly recommend them to anyone considering vision correction."

Charu Somany

"I got my LASIK done, the process went so smooth and easy. The doctors were very calm and handled everything well. I am so satisfied with my surgery and recovery. All the procedures from checkups till recovery period, everything was well organised."

Ishika

"I recently underwent SMILE Pro surgery at Visual Aids Centre and my experience was excellent. The doctors were highly professional, knowledgeable, and explained every step of the procedure clearly. The staff was very supportive and made me feel comfortable throughout the process. The surgery was smooth, painless, and my vision improved significantly. The post-operative care and follow-up were also outstanding. I highly recommend this centre to anyone considering SMILE Pro or vision correction surgery."

Sagar

These are genuine patient reviews reproduced as written. Read all 4,000+ on our Google profile.

What happens on the day of LASIK surgery?

On surgery day you'll spend about two hours at the centre, but the laser itself works for under a minute per eye. There are no injections and no stitches, only numbing drops, and you go home the same day.

• Arrival and final check (30 min): vision re-verification, consent, your questions answered. You'll have eaten a light meal, skipped perfume and eye makeup, and brought someone to take you home.
• Preparation (15 min): numbing drops, sterile cap and gown, and a few minutes to settle your breathing before you walk in.
• In the laser room (10 to 15 min per eye): you lie under the machine and fix your gaze on a blinking light. You'll feel pressure, not pain, for a few seconds, hear the laser's soft clicking, and notice a faint odour. The surgeon talks you through every step.
• Immediately after (20 to 30 min): vision is hazy, like opening your eyes underwater; eyes water and feel gritty. You rest briefly, get your drops schedule, and leave wearing protective dark glasses.
• That evening: keep eyes closed as much as possible; the gritty feeling fades over hours. By the next morning's follow-up, most patients read the chart that needed glasses 24 hours earlier.

Hear it from people who've been through it: patient stories.

The procedure takes minutes, but your cornea takes weeks to fully settle. Here's the realistic recovery timeline, including what Delhi's air adds to it.

LASIK recovery: how long before normal life?

Most patients see clearly within 24 to 48 hours of LASIK and return to desk work in 2 to 3 days. Gym resumes after 1 to 2 weeks, swimming after about a month, and vision fully stabilises over 4 to 6 weeks with prescribed drops throughout.

• Day 0 (surgery day): hazy vision, watering, light sensitivity. Rest with eyes closed; start drops; wear protective shields at night.
• Day 1: the first follow-up. Vision is typically dramatically clearer; mild fluctuation is normal. Mobile use in moderation.
• Days 2 to 3: most desk jobs resume. Screens in moderation with conscious blinking; dark glasses outdoors.
• Week 1: no eye rubbing, no splashing water directly into eyes, no kitchen smoke exposure; bathe neck-down. Light exercise returns.
• Weeks 2 to 4: gym returns; driving comfort normalises; eye makeup can usually resume around week two, as advised at your follow-up.
• Months 1 to 3: swimming and contact sports return; lubricating drops typically continue about 3 months; vision is fully stabilised.

Recovery is predictable for most people, but "most" is not "all", and you deserve the honest version of the risks before you decide.

Is LASIK safe? The honest answer on risks and side effects

LASIK is one of the most studied elective procedures in medicine, performed on regulatory-approved platforms with decades of outcome data; serious complications are rare. Common, usually temporary effects include dry eyes, night glare, and halos. No reputable surgeon should call any surgery "100% safe."

What's common and temporary

• Dry eyes: the most frequent effect, peaking in the first weeks and typically resolving over 1 to 3 months with lubricating drops. Flapless options like SMILE Pro and TransPRK reduce this risk for susceptible patients, which is part of why the evaluation tests your tear film.
• Glare and halos at night: common early, fading as the cornea settles over weeks.
• Vision fluctuation: mild day-to-day variation in the first weeks is normal healing, not failure.

What's uncommon

• Under- or over-correction: healing varies between individuals; a small percentage of patients benefit from an enhancement after 3 to 6 months.
• Flap-related complications: rare with laser-created flaps, and manageable by an experienced surgeon when they occur; flapless procedures eliminate this category.
• Infection: rare, and the reason single-use consumables and sterile-OT protocols are non-negotiable here.

What "permanent" actually means

The corneal reshaping is permanent. Your treated power does not "come back." But LASIK does not stop your eyes from ageing: nearly everyone needs reading glasses sometime after 40 to 45 (presbyopia), because that's the eye's natural lens stiffening, not the cornea changing. A centre that doesn't tell you this before surgery is setting you up for disappointment at 45.

If your evaluation, this risk profile, or your power rules out LASIK, you still have a path.

What if LASIK isn't suitable for you?

If LASIK isn't suitable, alternatives exist for nearly every situation: lens-based correction (ICL) for powers beyond -8D or thin corneas, TransPRK for corneas too thin for flaps, and lens-replacement options for people over 45 with presbyopia.

• Very high power (beyond -8D): an implantable lens corrects vision inside the eye without touching corneal thickness; we will evaluate you and guide you to the right lens-based pathway.
• Thin cornea but laser-range power: TransPRK's surface approach often remains possible when flap procedures aren't.
• Keratoconus: laser reshaping is ruled out, but cross-linking and specialised lenses protect and correct your vision.
• Over 45, mainly reading trouble: the issue is your natural lens, not your cornea, so lens-based correction is the honest conversation.
• Power not yet stable: waiting is the right call, with a yearly recheck. We'll tell you when, not just whether.

LASIK in Delhi: Frequently Asked Questions

Visit Visual Aids Centre

Visual Aids Centre, 8, Ring Road, Lala Lajpat Rai Marg, Lajpat Nagar 4, New Delhi, Delhi 110024. Phone: 098718 60505 / 011-46108181. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 am to 6:00 pm (Monday closed). Evaluations take about two hours; book ahead and don't drive yourself to the workup.

Reaching us by metro: the nearest station is Vinobapuri (Pink Line), with Moolchand (Violet Line) as a convenient alternative. Find us on Google Maps.

Book your LASIK evaluation

Written by VAC Editorial Team · Medically reviewed by Padmashri Vipin Buckshey, Optometrist & Laser Vision Correction Specialist (AIIMS, 1977) · Last updated: 1 June 2026