Bansal Eye Hospital Introduces Silk, Redefines Laser Vision Correction In North India

SILK, the next generation of Laser Vision Correction, is the latest and most advanced Laser Vision Correction launched in Ambala (for the first time in north India) by Bansal Eye Hospital (BEH). Continuing the tradition of launching the latest technology for specs removal in the region, BEH is once again proud to launch the latest technology for the first time in north India (first in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan).

The name of the technology is SILK (Smooth Incision Lenticule Keratomilesis). It is by the world’s leading company in eye care, Johnson’s and Johnson’s Vision USA. Launched in October 2023, this technology is the latest benchmark in the field of refractive surgery and is lauded for its notably quick recovery time. Imagine undergoing eye surgery today and seamlessly transitioning back to your daily life tomorrow.

The SILK procedure is done by the world’s fastest, ultra-precise, low-energy-delivering (60 nanojoules) femtosecond laser. This technology has introduced for the for the first time biconvex lenticule design, bridge[1]free tissue dissection, and 1 micron spot separation, due to which it provides quick recovery, sharper vision, better depth of focus, and minimal dry eyes. Studies conducted on patients who underwent the silk procedure revealed impressive results, with 99% of the patients expressing satisfaction with the outcome, 98% pleased with rapid improvement in their eye vision, and 96% willing to recommend silk to friends and family members. This technology has many advantages over previous technologies like SMILE (launched in 2012) and Contoura Lasik (launched in 2015).

Bansal Eye Hospital has always been one of the pioneer institutes for refractive surgeries in north India. It was one of the hospitals to start the LASIK surgery in north India for specs removal in 1995. It was the first hospital to introduce femtosecond laser surgery in Haryana in 2009. Later, it introduced Design Refractive Studio (HDV2.0) technology in 2019. Now, BEH has introduced SILK (Smooth Incision Lennticule Keratomilesis) in 2023 for the first time in north India.

BEH has a highly experienced team of doctors who have rich experience in the field. The hospital has to its credit more than 50,000 satisfied surgeries, cataract surgeries, and other surgeries. The doctors at BEH have experience from highly reputed institutes like Advance Eye Centre, PGI, Chandigarh, and other reputed institutes for the refractive department.

Dr. Ashish Bansal is one of the most renowned specialists in refractive surgery and cataract and anterior segment surgery. He has been doing high[1]volume refractive surgeries. He did his M.S. from Advanced Eye Centre Chandigarh and a super specialty fellowship in corneal and refractive surgeries.

Immediate Recovery Coupled with Ultimate Safety

The SILK Procedure is lauded for its notably quick recovery time. Imagine undergoing an eye surgery today and seamlessly transitioning back to your daily life tomorrow! The flapless nature of the SILK Procedure further enhances its safety quotient, positioning it as a leading choice among modern eye surgeries.

The Future in Sight: Bladeless, Painless, and Stitchless

SILK stands as a beacon of modern medical innovation by delivering a bladeless, painless, and stitchless experience. Eliminating the discomfort often linked with injections, the procedure employs eye drops for numbing. Within a concise span of 10 minutes, a lenticule of corneal tissue is crafted using advanced laser technology and subsequently removed through a micro opening.

The Sophistication of the ELITA Laser Machine

Central to the SILK procedure’s success is the sophisticated ELITA Laser Machine. With patients ensconced in comfort, this cutting-edge device ensures unmatched precision and efficiency throughout the procedure.

The Sophistication of the ELITA Laser Machine

Addressing the Concern of Dry Eyes

A common post-operative issue in many eye surgeries is the onset of dry eyes. However, with the SILK procedure, this concern sees a significant reduction, further amplifying its esteemed position in the field.

Silk Eye Surgery Cost in India

The cost of SILK eye surgery is Rs 1,25,000 in India, for both the eyes. It can vary depending upon the hospital and the surgeon.

Differences between different technologies: SILK vs. SMILE

Both are innovative lenticule extraction technologies, but SILK has the advantage of several advancements that enhance its performance over SMILE.

Below are some of the areas in which SILK is significantly different from SMILE:

Ultra-Low Energy Laser: SILK operates at a mere 60 nanojoules compared to SMILE’s 150 nanojoules, reducing collateral tissue damage and promoting faster visual recovery.
Bridgeless Spot Separation: SILK’s unique separation method results in smoother lenticule dissection, less swelling, and inflammation, enhancing recovery.
Biconvex Lenticule Design: This design in SILK im[1]proves vision quality, accelerates nerve regeneration, and reduces dry eye symptoms.
Cyclotorsion Compensation: SILK corrects eye rotation changes, a feature that is absent in SMILE, reducing the risk of residual astigmatism.
Visual Axis Treatment: SILK aligns treatment with the visual axis, unlike SMILE’s focus on the pupillary axis, ensuring more natural and effective vision correction.
Rapid Recovery Time: SILK patients typically experience a recovery time of just 24 hours, significantly shorter than the one-week period associated with SMILE

Feature	SILK	SMILE	LASIK
Manufacturer	Johnson & Johnson	Zeiss	Various
Technique	Flapless, less invasive	Lenticule extraction	Involves creating a corneal flap
Laser Energy Level	Ultra-low, 60 nanojoules	Higher, 150 nanojoules	Variable
Collateral Tissue Damage	Reduced due to lower energy	More due to higher energy	Depends on technique
Spot Separation	Bridgeless, smoother dissection	About 4 microns, more tissue manipulation	N/A
Lenticule Design	Biconvex, enhancing vision and reducing dry eyes	Flat	N/A
Vision Quality	Up to 6/5 vision, focuses on visual axis (natural axis)	Standard 6/6 vision, focuses on pupillary axis	Standard 6/6 vision, focuses on pupillary axis
Dry Eye Incidence	Reduced, gentler on corneal nerves	Less	Higher, due to flap creation
Cyclotorsion Compensation	Included, adjusts for eye rotation	Not included	Not included
Depth of Focus	Preserved, smooth transition between focal points	Less optimal, can have transition lag	Less optimal, can have transition lag
Recovery Time	Rapid, typically within 24 hours	Longer, around one week	Advised rest for about 7 days
Suitability for Active Lifestyles	More suitable, no flap-related risks	Suitable for active lifestyle	Less suitable, risks with high-contact activities
Post-Surgery Comfort	Enhanced, due to reduced dry eye symptoms	Less comfortable	Less comfortable, longer recovery, potential for dry eyes
Halos and Glare	Highly rare, due to advanced technology	More common, particularly in low-light conditions	More common, particularly in low-light conditions

SILK vs. LASIK

SILK not only surpasses SMILE but has also revolutionized the field with an edge over the traditional LASIK procedure:

Flapless Technique: SILK’s approach eliminates the risks associated with LASIK’s corneal flap, making it safer for individuals in contact-intensive activities.
Superior Vision Quality: Achieving up to 6/5 vision, SILK surpasses LASIK’s 6/6 standard by focusing on the visual axis.
Reduced Dry Eye Incidence: The biconvex lenticule design in SILK is gentler on corneal nerves, leading to a lower incidence of dry eyes post-surgery.
Cyclotorsion Compensation: SILK’s inclusion of this feature ensures higher accuracy in cylinder correction.
Preserved Depth of Focus: The unique design in SILK maintains depth of focus, ensuring a smooth transition across different focal points.

Feature	SILK	SMILE	LASIK
Manufacturer	Johnson & Johnson	Zeiss	Various
Technique	Flapless, less invasive	Lenticule extraction	Involves creating a corneal flap
Laser Energy Level	Ultra-low, 60 nanojoules	Higher, 150 nanojoules	Variable
Collateral Tissue Damage	Reduced due to lower energy	More due to higher energy	Depends on technique
Spot Separation	Bridgeless, smoother dissection	About 4 microns, more tissue manipulation	N/A
Lenticule Design	Biconvex, enhancing vision and reducing dry eyes	Flat	N/A
Vision Quality	Up to 6/5 vision, focuses on visual axis (natural axis)	Standard 6/6 vision, focuses on pupillary axis	Standard 6/6 vision, focuses on pupillary axis
Dry Eye Incidence	Reduced, gentler on corneal nerves	Less	Higher, due to flap creation
Cyclotorsion Compensation	Included, adjusts for eye rotation	Not included	Not included
Depth of Focus	Preserved, smooth transition between focal points	Less optimal, can have transition lag	Less optimal, can have transition lag
Recovery Time	Rapid, typically within 24 hours	Longer, around one week	Advised rest for about 7 days
Suitability for Active Lifestyles	More suitable, no flap-related risks	Suitable for active lifestyle	Less suitable, risks with high-contact activities
Post-Surgery Comfort	Enhanced, due to reduced dry eye symptoms	Less comfortable	Less comfortable, longer recovery, potential for dry eyes
Halos and Glare	Highly rare, due to advanced technology	More common, particularly in low-light conditions	More common, particularly in low-light conditions

SILK vs SMILE

Both of them are innovative lenticule extraction technologies, but SILK introduces several advancements enhancing its performance over SMILE.

Below are some of the areas in which SILK is significantly different from SMILE:

Ultra-Low Energy Laser: SILK operates at a mere 60 nanojoules compared to SMILE’s 150 nanojoules, reducing collateral tissue damage and promoting faster visual recovery.
Bridgeless Spot Separation: SILK’s unique separation method results in smoother lenticule dissection, less swelling, and inflammation, enhancing recovery.
Biconvex Lenticule Design: This design in SILK improves vision quality, accelerates nerve regeneration, and reduces dry eye symptoms.
Cyclotorsion Compensation: SILK corrects eye rotation changes, a feature that is absent in SMILE, reducing the risk of residual astigmatism.
Visual Axis Treatment: SILK aligns treatment with the visual axis, unlike SMILE’s focus on the pupillary axis, ensuring more natural and effective vision correction.
Rapid Recovery Time: SILK patients typically experience a recovery time of just 24 hours, significantly shorter than the one-week period associated with SMILE.

SILK vs LASIK

SILK not only surpasses SMILE but also revolutionizes the field over the traditional LASIK procedure:

Flapless Technique: SILK’s approach eliminates the risks associated with LASIK’s corneal flap, making it safer for individuals in contact-intensive activities.
Superior Vision Quality: Achieving up to 6/5 vision, SILK surpasses LASIK’s 6/6 standard by focusing on the visual axis.
Reduced Dry Eye Incidence: The biconvex lenticule design in SILK is gentler on corneal nerves, leading to a lower incidence of dry eyes post-surgery.
Cyclotorsion Compensation: SILK’s inclusion of this feature ensures higher accuracy in cylinder correction.
Preserved Depth of Focus: The unique design in SILK maintains depth of focus, ensuring a smooth transition across different focal points.

Advantages of SILK Over SMILE and LASIK

SILK offers numerous advantages over both SMILE and LASIK:

Enhanced Safety: The flapless and low-energy approach of SILK significantly reduces surgical risks.
Rapid Recovery: SILK enables patients to resume normal activities within 24 hours, a stark contrast to the longer recovery times of SMILE and LASIK.
Superior Visual Outcomes: With advanced technology focusing on the visual axis, SILK offers clearer, sharper vision.
Reduced Side Effects: SILK’s approach minimizes common post-surgical issues like dry eyes, halos, and glare.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SILK Procedure by J&J Vision?

The SILK Procedure is a cutting-edge refractive laser procedure offered by J&J Vision. It is now the world’s most advanced FLAP-LESS Laser Vision Correction procedure. It is designed to correct myopia (nearsightedness) up to 8D and astigmatism up to 3D, providing patients with improved vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses.

How does the SILK Procedure work?

The SILK Procedure uses ultra-precise Femto-laser technology, correcting refractive errors such as myopia and astigmatism. It involves creating a small disc-shaped piece of tissue called a lenticule in the deeper layers of the cornea, which corresponds to the power of the eye, which is then delicately removed, reshaping the cornea to improve vision.

What vision problems can the SILK Procedure correct?

The SILK Procedure is primarily designed to correct myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism. It cannot correct hyperopia or “plus” powers.

Is the SILK Procedure safe?

The SILK Procedure is considered safe and has been developed with a focus on minimizing risks and maximizing patient comfort. However, like any surgical procedure, there may be potential risks and complications, which should be discussed with your ophthalmologist.