While LASIK enjoys an almost generic status describing laser eye surgery to correct refractive defects, it’s actually just one of many vision correction surgical approaches, and it’s not always the best option for every patient.
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a common laser eye procedure that’s frequently lumped into a general “LASIK eye surgery” category. But PRK and LASIK aren’t the same procedure.
Dr. Randa Garrana and our team at Advanced Lasik specialize in many forms of laser refractive surgery, including PRK. Here’s what you need to know about this surgical approach, including why it may be the alternative to LASIK that’s best for your vision correction needs.
Both PRK and LASIK correct refractive errors in the light-bending structures of your eyes, in this case the corneas. Each procedure can correct astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness.
LASIK cuts a flap in the cornea, which is then reshaped by a laser to correct your eye’s focus. The flap is then replaced so that your eye can heal.
PRK removes tissue from the outer layer of the cornea in the locations that need reshaping by laser. The removed tissue regenerates over the next week. While each procedure has the same objective, the different techniques offer their own unique benefits.
Choosing PRK over LASIK usually comes down to a combination of factors. Here’s where PRK surgery shines:
If you have naturally thick corneas and moderate to high refractive errors, LASIK is perhaps the best approach for you.
However, many people have irregularly shaped corneas, or their corneas may be thinner than average. In this case, the flap that’s essential to LASIK is harder to form successfully, and it could cause complications in recovery or results.
People who play contact sports or engage in high-energy activities may choose PRK over LASIK, since there’s an increased risk of displacement or moving the corneal flap. Since PRK doesn’t create a flap, there’s no concern about its movement in the recovery stages. PRK is often chosen by airline pilots for this reason, too.
When it comes to quick healing, LASIK has the advantage, provided the corneal flap isn’t at risk of displacement. As well as longer healing time, it’s normal for your vision to be hazy for a longer period after surgery than with LASIK, though the long-term results for each procedure are the same.
It takes several weeks for your vision to stabilize following PRK, compared with several days for the LASIK procedure. This is due to the changes to the outer cornea made with PRK.
PRK surgery may not be a suitable choice for you if you:
We’ll establish your eligibility for PRK surgery when you have your initial consultation with us. Request an appointment online or by phone today with Advanced Lasik at your nearest office in Long Beach, California, or the Midtown East section of New York City.
