How to avail Contoura Vision / Lasik / SMILE at AIIMS. (2021)

Posted on by Priyank

I got my specs removed on 1st March 2021. My first visit to AIIMS was on 25th Jan 2021 via online appointment. It cost me Rs. 21,000 in total. I used no influence (not that I have any) or paid no one, did it just like any average citizen. This article is a followup article from an earlier brief post of mine.

When I told my friends about the surgery at AIIMS, I got two common responses…

isn’t AIIMS for very critical surgeries…, it offers specs removal surgery as well?

I don’t have any contacts (pun not intended), so I can’t get the treatment done.

Here is my job card as proof.

The purpose of this Article is to help people who are convinced about the surgery to navigate AIIMS w.r.t. appointments, visit details, surgery options and to set right expectations. Before you start reading, 18yrs is the minimum recommended age and eye power should be constant for a minimum of 1yr. No surgery would be recommended if you don’t meet these criteria.

Getting the Appointment:

When I applied for an online appointment on 27th Nov’20, I got the dates for 25th Jan and earlier when I tried to get the online appointment in March’20, I was given dates for April’20. What I am trying to say is that the wait time varies. You can cut down the wait time by visiting the AIIMS, thereby you can get an appointment of under one week’s wait time. Following are the two ways to get the appointment:

  1. Online: Click on https://ors.gov.in/ors/ Or https://ors.gov.in/copp/appointment.jsp. Enter Mobile Number, Aadhar card, Get Otp and pay Rs. 10 online. Appointment details will be send on SMS. This SMS is sufficient at the time of entry, no printout is required.
  2. Visit AIIMS: Reach at around 11AM and head towards RP Centre, ask guards for assistance, pay Rs. 10 at the counter and get the appointment.

Reaching AIIMS:

It’s a 2 min walk from AIIMS Metro station (Gate Number 1).

The First visit: 

Queue is let in at 8:30AM inside the main gate, hence reach AIIMS at 7:30AM and stand in queue next to the Registration center.

A picture containing person, people, crowd Description automatically generated

This is the seated waiting area between the Main gate and the Entrance to RP Center.

Security guards have to manage a huge crowd of people from all over the country, hence they are expected to be to the point and arms with people management vocabulary and one liners. Rest assured, neither their sharp remarks nor the surgery is that painful of an affair.

Technology and costs for both the eyes combined (inclusive of taxes):

TechnologyCost at AIIMS both eyes, this includes taxes as well. Test, Consultation, followup visits, all are free. Following fees are only for the surgery.
SMILE₹52,000
LASIK₹21,000
Contoura Vision₹21,000

At private hospitals, according to the eye7.in website, the cost of Contoura Vision is between ₹1,00,000 to  ₹1,15,000 + taxes .

The first visit will be to room number 33 or 30, here the number of your specs will be checked and few other tests will be done, followed by discussion with the doctor.

At AIIMS, doctors would mention that Contoura Vision is just a software, while the actual technology is LASIK.

But the difference between LASIK and Contoura Vision is that there is a specialised equipment called Topolyzer to take eye scans in the case of Contoura Vision. AIIMS has both the required machines for Contoura vision, WaveLight®TOPOLYZER® Vario as well as the WAVELIGHT®EX500 Excimer Laser.

Also at AIIMS, the recommendation will be for SMILE wherever all the three technologies are feasible. Explanation will be given for each technology, choice however will be of patient.

Subsequent Visits:

After the first appointment, further appointments will be to room number 102 for all the assessment, tests and for the final operation as well. Queue is let in at 8:30AM, hence reach AIIMS by 7:30AM.

In the morning there is a separate queue for room number 102, this queue is small and is let-in first, so ensure that you are standing in the correct line once past the main gate and under the roof area.

Room Number 102 is on the 1st floor. As soon as you get to enter inside, run towards the stairs to the 1st floor, climb up and reach 1st floor, take a left then walk 6 steps, again take a left and walk 15 steps, and find a glass door in front of you with 102 written on the top. Join the Queue for the entry. Once the person near the gate gives you the card your queue number is secured. Inquire regarding the wait time and then sit somewhere nearby, guard will then call your name. It’s fine if you miss your name, you will be given priority entry post that.

Tests are done to ensure that the eyes are fit for the surgery, and to find the most suitable surgery. In one of the memorable tests, the nurse will put Dilating Eye Drops which would make you lose focus of the nearby things, reading on laptop / mobile will not be possible for 5Hrs-7Hrs, one should take a leave on that day. No concerns for other tests.

Tip 1: Half the day would go by at AIIMS from 7:30AM till afternoon 12PM-1PM, while the test would not take more than 1hr-2hr. One can get a laptop to work from a quiet place at AIIMS, while waiting their turn in the queue.

Tip 2: Drinking water is available inside, but one can carry tiffin / food / snacks from home. Going out for lunch or breakfast is possible during your wait at room number 102. Inform the guard on the ground floor to consider you when returning back, but it is not reliable.

For subsequent visits, doctors / nurses would give handwritten followup dates in the job card. Do check with the security at the entrance gate to see if this will be allowed, else get a computerised appointment sticker printed from the counter on the ground floor because at times the entry is blocked for the handwritten appointments.

The tests would take around 3 to 5 visits.

Operation day:

It is mandatory to have a friend / relative accompany you on the day of the operation (only that day). Payment form will be given and the payment can be done via cash or credit card.

One can wear comfortable jeans and a t- shirt to the operation room, smartphones are allowed but need to be in silent mode, shoes are to be kept outside.

Scans of both the eyes are taken via the Topolyzer machine, then the patient proceeds to the operation theatre and lies on the bed (shown below). Here is a good reference video of what happens in the operation. Left part of the machine, FS200 femtosecond laser machine then cuts a slice of your cornea, creates a flap, then the bed rotates to the right tower and the patient has to steady the gaze on the green dot in the centre. Laser starts and performs for 5s to 10s. Post that the flap is put back on to the eye and the device is removed from the eye.

ALCON, WaveLight®TOPOLYZER® Vario
(Click here for Image source)		WAVELIGHT®EX500 Excimer Laser
(Click here for Image source)
Contoura Vision Machines, (Both are present at AIIMS):

Operation would take place usually between 9AM to 1PM. It lasts for 10 mins for each eye from preparation to end. Laser lasts for around 5s to 10s. One can smell a smell similar to the burning of hairs as the laser operates. It pains a lot throughout the day, it’s difficult to sleep during that day. Next day the pain reduces to 10%. Day 3 Onwards, one can comfortably start using the laptop again without much pain. A red mark can be seen in the eyes for 2-3 weeks.

Tip 3: When standing in queues, you create a whatsapp group of friends to help one another with current happenings at RP center, AIIMS.

Post Operation Visits:

Post Operation, Check up is lined up 1 day after the operation, then 1 week after the 1st checkup, then 1 month, then 3 months, then 6 months and then 1 yr. There are no fees for the checkups. Follow Ups happen post 10AM, still one has to reach AIIMS before 7:30AM, the followup doesn’t take more than 1 hr.

3.5 Months later:

My eyesight is as clear as it used to be with specs. Even better as now I don’t have to turn my head to read correctly. I am glad that I underwent the surgery, this is amongst the best thing that happened to me in last 5 yrs. 1-2 moments of dry eyes is felt per week, that is also very mildly inconvenient. Eye drops that are prescribed are only for comfort during that time. The surgery was a success in my case.

Graphical user interface, application Description automatically generated with medium confidence

That brown color is my natural eye color (good genes). You now know the purpose behind my laser specs removal.

Telegram Group – it’s a 600 + active member group, and people over there would help you with your queries. Please go through / search the previous chats before asking questions. Link to join the group: https://t.me/aiimslasik

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Published by Priyank

B. Tech Mechanical, IIT Guwahati, 2011 graduate. I help corporates iron out process inefficiencies, with analytics and product development solutions.

113 thoughts on “How to avail Contoura Vision / Lasik / SMILE at AIIMS. (2021)”

  2. RP center is closed due to covid 19 or not. Because I try to book an appointment but rp centre is not in the list.
    Please tell sir
    Thanks

    Like

    1. Hi Ankesh, RP Center is open, but the online appointments may be closed. I can connect you with few others applicants,

      It’s a telegram group now, Possible to join the telegram group with a link?, unlike Whatsapp groups, Past messages can be searched and viewed.

      https://t.me/aiimslasik

      Like

      1. Hey priyank. As you stated you opted for contoura and the surgeon cut a corneal flap. But I just watched live contoura vision surgery by Rahil chaudhary eye7 eye centre. He stated it’s bladeless and showed it too. Kindly solve my doubt regarding this.

        Like

      2. Hello Tanuj, what You are talking about is EPI Contoura, it’s done for patients with thin cornea. I was operated with normal Contoura vision tech.

        I saw that video too and was confused myself as well at that time.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Hi Priyank,
        Can you add me to such a what’s app group?

        Please let me know if. I can share my number personally.

        Thanks

        Like

      5. Hi priyank
        Can you please tell me when exactly should we use a laptop after the surgery ..
        Some say 2 weeks and some doctors say within 3 days ..
        Am confused as I can’t be taking so many leaves

        Like

    2. Hello sir this is Tushar here , I am also planning to get contoura vision surgery in upcoming winters (nov -dec) . I also want to know about how to avail it and post surgery experience can you please add me to the WhatsApp group …!

      Liked by 1 person

      2. Hy rohan.. how’s your surgery went?
        Can you tell me the whole proceedure and the amount you pay at each step plz i really need to know

        Like

    4. Thank you so much for sharing the detailed journey. I was looking for contoura vs SMILE, I think I will go with SMILE as it is easily available here and for Contoura, visiting delhi AIIMS from Maharashtra would not be feasible. I think it is available in Mumbai AIIMS as well but still post-op visit to far distant city won’t be convenient. Good luck 👍

      Like

      1. Hi Shivam, we don’t know this, please join the telegram group, it’s a 1-year-old log of 500 active members, you should get your answer there.

        Like

  4. Hello Sir I also want to do contoura vision from Aiims what should I do?
    please add me on the whatsapp group.

    Like

  5. Hey there. Your article was really helpful indeed, as i was also looking for the process for same in Aiims Delhi.
    Further i would like to know the gap between the first and the 2nd appointment given by doc.!?

    Like

      1. Hello sir
        My eye vision power is higher number includes and I am wearing glasses from class 5th I consult eye specialist every six months and they give me suggestion of lasik …
        I want to going with lasik and eye surgery but my financial condition is not good to take cost about 1lac figure ..
        Please suggest me better option and resolution that I go for best one
        Thankou

        Like

      2. Hello Ankit, as I mentioned in the blog go for AIIMS if you are based in Delhi or stay in Delhi for a while if work permits. its 20k for lasik from AIIMS

        Like

  6. Sir, I am planning to get Lasik done from AIIMS Delhi. Your article has been very helpful. Current online registration is closed it seems. Any latest update will be very helpful. Thanks.

    Like

  7. hello sir, I live in Raipur Chattisgarh, does AIIMS have some priorities for a person who doesn’t reside in Delhi? If not then what is best for me? which is the best place to reside in Delhi? or should I travel every time from Raipur for the necessary visits? please help!

    Like

    1. Hi Vivek, if your job permits then you can come down and stay In a PG here, it should cost 7k / month including food. Traveling to and from Raipur will take time.

      Like

  8. Hey Priyank, can you add me to the whatsapp group. I have left my no here : https://cupcakewarrior.com/about/.

    I am really baffled by the price for contura vision and SMILE, ideally it should be the other way round. Would like to know the experience of people who have opted for SMILE.

    Thanks

    Like

    1. Hi Pankaj, yes the price difference baffled me as well, true it should be the other way round. Two of my colleagues who got SMILE done had a very satisfactory treatment and results.

      It’s a telegram group now, Possible to join the telegram group with a link?, unlike Whatsapp groups, Past messages can be searched and viewed.

      https://t.me/aiimslasik

      Like

      1. Hello Priyank. Thanks for this very lucid presentation on getting eye surgery done at AIIMS. Just a little question, if you have some information. Actually my daughter has -10D in both eyes. Would the Contoura Or any other Lasik suregry be able to restore her vision.

        Like

      2. Hello Mohit, thanks for the appreciation, Contoura vision is not applicable for power beyond -6D. ICL is I believe suggested in that case. Thanks

        Like

  9. Hey! You have written,” Left part of the machine, FS200 femtosecond laser machine then cuts a slice of your cornea, creates a flap,…”. Are flaps made on the cornea in contoura too? Flaps are only made in LASIK and SMILE, right?

    Like

  10. Hello sir, can you please tell how many days did it take for whole procedure and how many visits were required before the surgery??

    Like

    1. Hello, it took me 36 days in total from 1st appointment to surgery. And a total of 9 visits since I was suspected of glaucoma.

      Otherwise, it takes 3-4 weeks and 4-5 visits.

      Like

  11. hi priyank.. I am planning to get Lasik done from AIIMS Delhi. Your article has been very helpful. Current online registration is closed it seems. please add me on whatsapp group for more help.

    Like

  12. Hello, Your article is really helpful. Can you please confirm if all the tests and Eye Evaluation including the consultation with the Doctor in the first visit itself. I have a Consultation appointment at AIIMS on 9/4/2021. I would like to connect with you on WhatsApp to get some more clear answers. My number is +1-352-530-9250.

    Please let me know if Eye Test and Evaluation with consulting takes more than 1 Visit?

    Like

    1. Hello Shailendra, it’s nice to know that the article helped you. It took me 5 visits for evaluation and all eye tests. At AIIMS it can’t be done in 1 visit.

      Sure, It’s a telegram group now, Possible to join the telegram group with a link?, unlike Whatsapp groups, Past messages can be searched and viewed.

      https://t.me/aiimslasik

      Like

      1. Sir i got appointment on 8 Sept i have to reach opd at 8:30am thats what i want to know that where is the opd where i have to reach at 8:30am, Is the opd inside RP Center?

        Like

  14. I was recommended SMILE , they didn’t tell me about contoura. They discussed the pros & cons of Lasik and SMILE and told me SMILE is better. Was not aware about contoura hence applied for SMILE surgery on 25th Sep. Do they recommend SMILE purposely since its costlier of all?

    Like

    2. Hello Rohit, like I mentioned in the blog, AIIMS usually recommends SMILE and they don’t even inform about Contoura. I had proactively pushed for Contoura to get the service from AIIMS. No idea as to why they don’t recommend Contoura.

      Like

      1. People trust info over the internet more than what the doctors recommend. There is more case studies and papers available on SMILE in comparison to countura. Moreover SMILE is costlier since it’s machine is costlier and Aims can afford and not the Pvt clinics thats why Pvt clinics are looting people with less capital and huge margin by saying countura is better. Doctors in AIMS always suggests SMILE over Lasik-countura

        Like

      3. Sorry if I created any misunderstanding. I meant there are more scientific case studies and research papers available in comparison to the countura. Also if you google countura you will find results of mostly private hospitals.

        Like

  16. Hello there, isn’t it contoura surgergy bladeless? You have mentioned in your blade that they made a flap over your cornea.. how is it different from normal lasik surgery then? Other private hospitals and youtube videos suggest that in contoura surgery there is no blade? This is creating confusion.. please help me to remove this confusion in detail.. why would one opted for blade surgery..? I wanted this surgery because of that bladeless surgery.
    thanks

    Like

    1. Hello, Bladeless lasik and blade less Contoura is also available, it’s called epi lasik and epi Contoura. Earlier it was called PRK

      It’s recommended only for thin cornea cases.

      The videos you watched are of epi Contoura.

      Like

  20. Hello Sir
    Thank You for the useful post. Is epi contoura available in Aiims? and is the red mark after surgery permanent or it disappears completely after sometime?
    Thanks

    Like

  21. HI Priyank
    Thanks for such a great informative article that you have written

    I read in your post about the timings as i will be travelling from far away i would want to know if it is mandatory to reach at 7 30 or we can take a leverage of few hours i mean i will reach Delhi at about 9 am and AIIMS at around 11 so is there a possibility of me getting consultation or should i consider coming a day before ?

    Your response would be highly appreciated.

    Like

  26. Hi Priyank
    Please add me to that whatsapp group. Please sent me the link on my mail id. I am also fed up of wearing glasses with mask because of fog collected on specs especially during night. Is it safe to have surgery during this covid time though cases are very less and less possibility of 3rd wave. How crowded is this RP Centre OPD, I visited AIIMS multiple times and know the people arrives there from early morning like 5-6 am but not sure about RP centre OPD.
    I usually sleep late at night and reading is my hobby. Also I want to know did doctor recommend any precautions like early sleeping, do not read much, no long hours on computer screen etc.

    Like

    1. Hello Mudit, sure go for it.

      It should be sufficient to reach there by 7AM.

      It’s safe to get the surgery.

      No such precautions are to be taken.

      It’s a telegram group now, Possible to join the telegram group with a link?, unlike Whatsapp groups, Past messages can be searched and viewed.

      https://t.me/aiimslasik

      Like

  27. Hi Priyank
    Please add me to that whatsapp group. Please share the link over the mail. I am also fed up of wearing glasses with mask because of fog collected on specs especially during night. Is it safe to have surgery during this covid time though cases are very less and less possibility of 3rd wave. How crowded this RP Centre OPD, I visited AIIMS multiple times and know the people arrives there from early morning like 5-6 am but not sure about RP centre OPD.
    I usually sleep late at night and reading is my hobby. Also I want to know did doctor recommend any precautions like early sleeping, do not read much, no long hours on computer screen etc.

    Like

  28. Hi Priyank,
    Really appreciate you replying to each comment and providing such detailed information.
    Could you please add my no. too in the whatsapp groups for Contoura and other lasik surgery. I sent my no. from about section. I have one question: Which is the best hospital for getting the Contoura surgery done: Eye7 or AIIMS or any other hospital?
    I have an appointment in Eye7 on 13th Dec. They are saying all tests will be done on the 13th Dec and surgery can be performed on 14th Dec. Should I take second opinion also? If yes, where should I consult.

    Like

    1. Hi Akshay, thanks for the generous appreciation.

      Nice to know that the Eye7 does the whole process in 2 days, at AIIMS, it will take a month.

      Not sure which one is better. You may visit AIIMS and take their opinion, it will take 3-4 visits for the tests to complete, post which they would tell you which surgery to do.

      It’s a telegram group now, you can join with this link, past messages can be searched. https://t.me/aiimslasik

      Like

  31. Sir as i have booked appointment for my squint treatment at RP Centre AIIMS Delhi through online ORS portal.. so tell me what will be the procedure for the people who have registered appointment through online portal.. whether there will be a separate counter or que for the people.. kindly let me know..

    Like

  32. Sir can you confirm that contoura vision still done in aiims rp center because someone told me that contoura is not working in rp center now…

    Like

  34. Hi Priyank,
    Brilliant writing and very useful info you shared specially for people who haven’t visited AIIMS at all. For eg. Run to first, left turn 6 steps left turn room 102.. 😂 That kind of info will saves hours. Thanks for that. I myself have done pretty deep research on Contoura Vision. I had made my mind to get this surgery done finally to get rid of specs.
    But since I am not from Delhi, I am hesitating to start. Kindly add me to the whatsapp group as well. I fill try finding that form to fill so that you can add me to that group. I would like more info on after care and medicines.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Shekhar, thanks for the candid appreciation, you made my day, I hope it helps in some way to you. Damn, I am really sorry I missed your comment and I am just seeing it now.

      In case it is still of any help… It’s a telegram group now, Possible to join the telegram group with a link?, unlike Whatsapp groups, Past messages can be searched and viewed.

      https://t.me/aiimslasik

      Thanks

      Priyank

      Like

      1. Hi Priyank! I really appreciate the presentation you gave about your experience. However, i would like to know if the procedure is recommended for people who will be moving to a really cold place?? So, the thing is I will be moving to Canada in next 6 months. So, let’s say if by god’s grace, i get my surgery done within a month (I reside in South Delhi near AIIMS), will it be fine for me to move to a place like Canada in the month of January, when the temperatures are going to be -20 ? Seeking your and other members inputs as well! Thanks

        Like

      2. Hello Sarthak, interesting question, but I don’t have much idea about this, a single consultation with AIIMS, if the appointment dates are available in near future then that should help. Else internet search would do, so you may check with someone going to AIIMS in the coming days in the AIIMS telegram groups.

        Like

  38. Hello Priyank,

    I’m following this blog for so long. Haven’t commented earlier. I need to know two things, the first appointment date of yours & the operation/surgery date. I mean the gap between these two, because I’ll come from Bangladesh, so I’m slightly in a time constraint position. Another thing I want to know, I saw video from Eye7, but they don’t create flap (bladeless). So, does the AIIMS one hurt a lot ??

    Like

    1. Hello Nagib, thanks for following the blog.

      My appointment date was around 27 Jan and the operation date was 1st March. I believe you would have to stay for a month until you get the operations done.

      Eye7 one is EPI Contoura, not the regular contoura. Epi Contoura is recommended only in exceptional cases where corneal thickness is less. Not sure if AIIMS does EPI Contoura, you may check the past conversations in the telegram group to know about this from other members.

      https://t.me/aiimslasik

      Like

  40. Hi ,
    This is Srihari from Andhra Pradesh,

    I would like to take contoura from AIIMS too.
    Please add me if there is any what’s app group since I do have language problem. I know Telugu and English only.

    Like

  42. Hello Priyanka sir
    I’m from South of India(Karnataka) , I wanted to go for contura surgery so for visiting to AIIMS Delhi from my state can you suggest me how should I proceed ? And you mentioned in one of the test there is a dilution drops which makes our eyes blur for the near sight vision and I cannot bring anyone with me because it’s so far please recommend me something

    Like

    1. Hello Neeraj, since it will take a month or more to get the surgery done, you may stay at PG over there, or if it’s WFH then work from there or stay with relatives. Or you may explore other options in Bangalore / Hyderabad it will be bit expensive but faster.

      Like

  43. Hi Priyank,

    Great blog. This is most helpful and alleviates a lot of anxiety that someone planning for a LASIK might be having. Can you clarify one thing for me? I’ve read in a few places that Contoura with Femto gives better sharpness than SMILE. Are you aware of this detail?

    Like

  45. Hi Priyank
    I am scheduled for contoura vision surgery in aiims next month. Just wanted to know your vision experience after 2 years of surgery. Any problems?
    Is your eyesight absolutely normal or any kind of issue ? Please inform. Thanks

    Like

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