Frequently Asked Questions

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a permanent vision correction procedure that reshapes the cornea using an excimer laser to correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. At FIO Hospital, we use the ZEISS MEL 90 excimer laser with femtosecond flap creation for blade-free precision.

LASIK creates a corneal flap before laser reshaping; SMILE Pro creates no flap — it extracts a tiny lenticule through a 2.5mm incision. SMILE Pro has 60% less dry-eye risk, a stronger cornea post-op, and no flap-related complications. FIO Hospital is the only centre in Pakistan with ZEISS VISUMAX 800 for SMILE Pro.

Yes. LASIK and SMILE Pro permanently reshape the cornea. Results do not revert. However, natural age-related presbyopia (difficulty reading after age 45) is separate from your laser correction.

Suitable candidates: age 18+, stable prescription for 12 months, myopia up to -9D, hyperopia up to +4D, astigmatism up to 5D, adequate corneal thickness. Your free pre-op evaluation at FIO Hospital determines suitability definitively.

No. Anaesthetic eye drops numb the eye completely. You feel mild pressure for a few seconds during flap creation. There is no pain. Post-operatively, mild stinging for 2–4 hours is common and resolves with lubricating drops.

Most patients achieve driving-standard vision within 24 hours. Return to desk work: next day. Contact sports: 2 weeks. Swimming: 2 weeks. Night glare/halos improve over 2–4 weeks.

LASIK at FIO Hospital starts from Rs. 60,000 per eye. SMILE Pro starts from Rs. 80,000 per eye. Price includes all pre-op tests, the procedure, post-op drops, and all follow-up visits for 1 year. EMI plans available.

99.5% of SMILE Pro patients at FIO Hospital achieve 6/6 (20/20) or better vision. ZEISS VISUMAX 800 has 1050Hz eye tracking ensuring millimetre precision.

Contoura Vision is topography-guided LASIK that maps 22,000 unique data points of your cornea for a personalised treatment. It treats both your spectacle prescription AND micro-irregularities, delivering better contrast and night vision than standard LASIK.

Cloudy or blurry vision, glare and halos around lights (especially at night), difficulty reading in low light, frequent prescription changes, colours appearing faded, double vision in one eye. Cataracts develop slowly — most people notice gradual worsening over months to years.

When cataract affects your quality of life — driving, reading, working. You do not need to wait for it to "mature". Modern phacoemulsification is equally effective at any stage, and earlier surgery often yields better outcomes.

No. Topical anaesthetic drops are used — no injections, no general anaesthesia. You feel pressure and may see light/movement but no pain. The procedure takes 15 minutes.

Phacoemulsification is the modern technique for cataract surgery — a probe emits ultrasound energy to break the cloudy lens into tiny fragments, which are aspirated through a micro-incision under 2.4mm. No large cuts, no stitches, same-day discharge.

Monofocal IOL provides excellent vision at one distance (usually distance) — you may need reading glasses. Multifocal IOL corrects both distance and near vision — reducing or eliminating glasses after surgery. FIO Hospital offers monofocal, toric, multifocal, and EDOF IOLs.

Cataract surgery at FIO Hospital: monofocal IOL from Rs. 40,000 per eye, premium toric/multifocal IOL from Rs. 80,000–200,000 per eye. Price includes pre-op biometry, the surgery, IOL, and 1-year follow-up.

No. The artificial IOL does not cloud. However, 20–30% of patients develop posterior capsule opacification (PCO) 1–2 years after surgery — causing blurry vision. This is treated in 5 minutes with painless YAG laser at no extra charge at FIO Hospital.

Sudden onset of floaters (black spots/threads in vision), flashes of light (photopsia), a curtain or shadow across part of your vision. These are medical emergencies — call FIO Hospital immediately. Do not wait. Same-day surgery improves outcomes dramatically.

Yes — especially if the central vision (macula) is not yet involved. Surgery within 24–48 hours of onset preserves the best visual potential. Any sudden onset of floaters + flashes should be evaluated the same day.

Every 6–12 months, even with perfect vision. Diabetic retinopathy causes no symptoms until it is severe. Annual dilated fundus examination by an ophthalmologist is essential for all diabetics from the time of diagnosis.

Anti-VEGF (bevacizumab/Avastin, ranibizumab/Lucentis, aflibercept/Eylea) injections are given into the eye to treat wet AMD and diabetic macular edema. They block abnormal blood vessel growth. Quick 10-minute procedure under anaesthetic drops, outpatient.

Vitrectomy is microsurgery to remove the vitreous gel from inside the eye — used for retinal detachment, macular hole, diabetic vitreous haemorrhage, and epiretinal membrane. FIO Hospital uses the ZEISS ARTEVO 800 3D microscope for the highest precision.

Glaucoma is progressive damage to the optic nerve, usually (but not always) associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). It is painless and causes peripheral vision loss first — patients do not notice until significant damage has occurred. It is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.

Most glaucoma (open angle) has no symptoms until late stages. Angle-closure glaucoma causes sudden severe eye pain, headache, nausea, and rainbow halos — this is an emergency. Annual eye pressure checks are essential from age 40.

No — but it can be controlled. Existing vision loss is permanent, but treatment (drops, SLT laser, surgery) prevents further loss. Early detection and consistent treatment preserve useful vision for life.

SLT (Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty) is a 5-minute outpatient procedure that uses a 532nm laser to improve drainage of fluid from the eye, reducing pressure by 20–30%. It can be repeated. Available at all FIO Hospital branches.

Age over 40, family history of glaucoma, elevated eye pressure, myopia (nearsightedness) over -3D, diabetes, hypertension, long-term steroid use, previous eye injury. Annual screening is recommended for all these groups.

Keratoconus is progressive thinning and cone-shaped bulging of the cornea, causing irregular astigmatism and blurry vision that worsens over years. It typically starts in the teens/twenties. FIO Hospital provides complete keratoconus management from early crosslinking to corneal transplant.

Absolutely not. LASIK is contraindicated in keratoconus — it will weaken an already thin cornea and accelerate progression. Corneal topography at FIO Hospital screens for keratoconus before any laser procedure.

Corneal crosslinking (CXL) uses UV-A light combined with riboflavin (vitamin B2) drops to create new bonds between collagen fibres in the cornea — halting keratoconus progression in 97% of patients. It does not reverse existing changes but prevents further deterioration.

Naturally, progression often slows in the late 20s–30s. Crosslinking accelerates this stabilisation. Some patients remain stable with spectacles or contact lenses; others progress to requiring transplant.

Newborn screening, then at 6 months, 3 years, and before starting school. Earlier if any concern: eye turning, discharge, watering, poor tracking, squinting, or family history of eye problems.

Amblyopia is reduced vision in one eye (sometimes both) that cannot be fully corrected with glasses. It develops when the brain suppresses input from a blurry or misaligned eye during visual development. Treatment (patching/atropine) must start before age 8 for best results.

Squint (strabismus) is misalignment of the eyes — one turns in, out, up or down. It causes amblyopia and poor depth perception. Early treatment (glasses, patching, surgery) is important. FIO Hospital's pediatric ophthalmologists specialise in squint management.

Yes. Myopia (nearsightedness) progressing rapidly in children increases lifelong risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic macular degeneration. FIO Hospital offers atropine drops and orthokeratology lenses to slow progression.

Adults under 40 with no issues: every 2 years. Over 40: annually. Diabetics, glaucoma suspects, high myopia: every 6–12 months. Children: as above. An eye exam detects not just vision problems but early signs of glaucoma, diabetes, and even brain conditions.

Screen time (reduces blink rate), air conditioning/heating, contact lens wear, certain medications (antihistamines, blood pressure drugs), hormonal changes (menopause), autoimmune conditions (Sjögren's syndrome), and post-LASIK. FIO Hospital's Dry Eye Clinic offers comprehensive diagnosis and IPL treatment.

Most floaters are benign — small clumps of vitreous gel that cast shadows on the retina. They are more common with age and myopia. However, a sudden shower of new floaters with flashes of light must be assessed urgently for retinal tear or detachment.

Prolonged screen time causes digital eye strain (CVS) — dryness, headache, blurred vision, neck pain — but does not cause permanent damage. The 20-20-20 rule helps: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. In children, screen time combined with lack of outdoor time accelerates myopia.

Lutein and zeaxanthin (leafy greens, eggs) protect against AMD. Omega-3 fatty acids (oily fish) reduce dry eye risk. Vitamin A (carrots, sweet potato) is essential for night vision. Antioxidant vitamins C and E reduce cataract and AMD risk. Smoking is the single most modifiable risk factor for eye disease.