Lasik vs. PRK: Which is for you?
LASIK:
Similar to PRK, Lasik uses an excimer laser to correct refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Today, LASIK is the most popular form of laser vision correction. The primary difference between LASIK and PRK is in the first step of the procedure. Rather than removing a patient’s epithelium during PRK, in LASIK, your doctor will use an instrument called a microkeratome to create a small protective flap of corneal tissue that is gently lifted back. Next, our VISX 4star excimer laser applies a cool beam of light, which gently reshapes the cornea, allowing images to be more sharply focused by the retina to correct the refractive error. Finally, the protective flap created in the first step is gently placed back in its original position and is allowed to heal. Patients will no experience pain during Lasik and postoperative discomfort is minimal. In addition, patients will experience a quicker return of clear vision than with PRK. Like PRK, most patients achieve 20/20 vision with LASIK.
The Advantages of LASIK:
LASIK can be a viable option over PRK due to the following:
· Optimum visual recovery is achieved sooner
· Lower post-operative discomfort
· Recovery time is typically shorter
Ideal LASIK candidates should be at least 18 years of age, have healthy corneas and a relatively stable eye prescription. People with certain medical conditions or pregnant and nursing women may not be good candidates.
PRK: The original refractive laser eye surgery
PRK, or Photorefractive Keratectomy, used to be the most common refractive surgery procedure prior to the advent of LASIK. PRK was the first procedure to use an excimer laser to treat many types of refractive errors, including nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism. It is still the procedure of for certain patients. PRK differs most from Lasik during the first step of the procedure. In PRK, after applying anesthetic eye drops, your doctor will first removed the thin protective layer of tissue that covers the cornea, called the epithelium. Next, an excimer laser applies a cool beam of light, which gently reshapes the surface of the cornea, allowing images to be more sharply focused by the retina, correcting the refractive error. After the cornea is reshaped, the epithelium is allowed to grow back naturally, which typically takes 3 to 5 days. Pain during surgery is non-existent, however most patients will experience some discomfort following surgery. Any discomfort usually subsides within 3 to 5 days and can be treated with pain medications. Immediately following your procedure, your vision will be blurry, but will steadily improve thereafter. Most patients achieve 20/20 vision with PRK.
The Advantages of PRK:
PRK can be a viable option over LASIK due to the following:
· A long history of very effective results
· Eliminates flap-related complications
· Works better for patients with thin, irregular or scarred corneas
· Is preferred for patients with large pupils
Ideal PRK candidates should be at least 18 years of age and have had a stable eye prescription for at least one year.
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