The Difference Between Prk and Lasik
Refractive surgery has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the 1990s. Today, patients who want vision correction have a wide range of options and treatments for most vision issues.
Two of the most common treatments are PRK and LASIK. While both treatments are highly effective, each has its advantages and disadvantages, and each is recommended for specific visual problems.
PRK and LASIK fall into a laser surgery category called "surface ablation refractive surgery," meaning that each procedure uses a laser to gently remove the cornea's surface layer to reshape the cornea for better vision.
PRK was the original refractive surgery using the excimer laser. Before the development of LASIK, PRK was very common. Both LASIK and PRK treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
The PRK procedure removes the epithelium with a surgical blade, exposing the cornea. 3-5 days is the average healing time for a PRK procedure. PRK requires no special equipment or suction. However, it does take slightly longer to heal from PRK than from LASIK.
LASIK uses a device called an Epi-Tome which applies pressure to the eye with suction, then uses an oscillating blade to remove the epithelium. LASIK offers a shorter healing time, faster vision recovery, less haze post-surgery, and less discomfort. However, quite a bit of specialized equipment is necessary, and there is an increased risk from using suction to raise eye pressure and cutting into the cornea.
Most experts agree that LASIK offers more advantages than PRK. But LASIK is not right for all people. For individuals with thin corneas or corneal irregularities, PRK is a better option.
Both procedures offer safe surgery with very effective outcomes. But only your doctor can determine which procedure is right for you. In Tulare, CA, Dr. Murad Sunalp has treated thousands of LASIK and PRK patients. He would be happy to meet with you to determine the procedure that will help you reduce or eliminate your dependence on corrective lenses and give you your very best vision. Contact Dr. Sunalp today!
Two of the most common treatments are PRK and LASIK. While both treatments are highly effective, each has its advantages and disadvantages, and each is recommended for specific visual problems.
PRK and LASIK fall into a laser surgery category called "surface ablation refractive surgery," meaning that each procedure uses a laser to gently remove the cornea's surface layer to reshape the cornea for better vision.
PRK was the original refractive surgery using the excimer laser. Before the development of LASIK, PRK was very common. Both LASIK and PRK treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
The PRK Procedure
The PRK procedure removes the epithelium with a surgical blade, exposing the cornea. 3-5 days is the average healing time for a PRK procedure. PRK requires no special equipment or suction. However, it does take slightly longer to heal from PRK than from LASIK.
The LASIK Procedure
LASIK uses a device called an Epi-Tome which applies pressure to the eye with suction, then uses an oscillating blade to remove the epithelium. LASIK offers a shorter healing time, faster vision recovery, less haze post-surgery, and less discomfort. However, quite a bit of specialized equipment is necessary, and there is an increased risk from using suction to raise eye pressure and cutting into the cornea.
Most experts agree that LASIK offers more advantages than PRK. But LASIK is not right for all people. For individuals with thin corneas or corneal irregularities, PRK is a better option.
Both procedures offer safe surgery with very effective outcomes. But only your doctor can determine which procedure is right for you. In Tulare, CA, Dr. Murad Sunalp has treated thousands of LASIK and PRK patients. He would be happy to meet with you to determine the procedure that will help you reduce or eliminate your dependence on corrective lenses and give you your very best vision. Contact Dr. Sunalp today!