Having a high power of -7.5 puts you in a category where careful evaluation is crucial for LASIK. Ideal eligibility requires you to be at least 18 years old, with a stable prescription for over a year, and have corneas that are thick enough to safely handle the procedure. Your overall eye health must be good, meaning no active issues like severe dry eye or conditions like keratoconus. For high powers, surgeons are extra cautious; if your corneas are too thin, an alternative like ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) might be suggested.
The potential risks and side effects are important to understand. Common, usually temporary, side effects include dry eyes, glare, halos around lights, and mild light sensitivity. More significant, though rarer, risks include under or over-correction (meaning you might still need a slight prescription), infection, or corneal ectasia (a bulging of the cornea). A thorough pre-operative screening is designed to minimize these risks. The average cost in India typically ranges from ₹30,000 to ₹60,000 per eye for standard LASIK, but advanced procedures like Contoura or Femto-LASIK for high powers can cost up to ₹80,000 - ₹1,00,000 per eye.
Selecting a trusted clinic and surgeon is your most important step. Look for a surgeon who is a fellow of the All India Collegium of Ophthalmology and has extensive experience, specifically with high-power cases. The clinic should have a reputation for rigorous pre-operative testing and not push everyone toward the same procedure. Choose a center that invests in modern technology (like a Wavefront analyzer and a Femtosecond laser) and is transparent about potential outcomes and risks. Always get a detailed second opinion to confirm your eligibility and the proposed surgical plan, ensuring you make the most informed decision for your long-term vision health.