Q: My 17 years old daughter has astigmatism. She has been wearing spectacles since she was 7 years old. Her eye power is constant for the last 3 years. Since she has a cylindrical number, can LASIK be performed on her eyes? Her left eye is worse than her right eye. What are the pros and cons of having a LASIK done? Which is the latest technique? What is the right age for getting this surgery done? She has no other medical problem. Please advise.

A:Astigmatism can be corrected by LASIK using customisation programmes. Results, on the whole, tend to be excellent. Some dryness of eyes is noted, which lasts a few months and requires tear substitutes. The latest technique is customized LASIK using wave front guided ablation techniques for the procedure. The right age for the procedure is after the age of 18 years, provided the power has stabilised. Recovery is fairly quick, drops are required for 2-4 weeks and lubricants are required for longer periods. There are many reputable centres in Delhi performing the surgery.