Many people debate whether to have PRK (Photorefractive keratectomy) or LASIK (Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) eye surgery.
Here are the pros and cons of LASIK AND PRK:
PRK: There is less risk of negatively affected corneal thickness. It is better for patients with a thinner cornea. There is less risk of negatively affected corneal thickness. If you have a very active lifestyle PRK may be a better option for you than LASIK. This is because PRK does not involve cutting a flap in your cornea like LASIK. If you are highly active, you could accidentally dislodge a corneal flap, causing problems.
PRK cons: Recovery time is longer, you have to wait at least a week to drive after surgery, you can’t go into the sun for 4-6 weeks after surgery, the recovery is often more painful than LASIK, and there is an increased risk of eye infection for the first few days after surgery.
LASIK: The recovery time is shorter than PRK. A lot of patients are able to drive one day after surgery. Your vision is noticeably improved almost instantly. There is less risk of infection. Bandages are not needed and less medication is needed. Fewer follow up appointments are recommended.
LASIK cons: It might not be right for those with thin corneas. There can be increased complications with the corneal flap and there can be a larger risk of poor vision at night.
Today, contemporary PRK is just as modern, just as sophisticated, and just as accurate as contemporary LASIK. Both are “new” forms of their predecessor forms of PRK and LASIK. It is the laser re-shaping and surgical technique that has evolved so much over the years. Today, the most modern and advanced versions of Customized Wavefront laser vision correction represent significant advances over older, conventional laser eye surgery — whether PRK or LASIK.
LASIK is used to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, and is usually the preferred surgery because of its short recovery time.
PRK was originally developed only to treat patients with myopia, or nearsightedness, but advancements in the technology has extended it as treatment for hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. PRK is recommended for patients with thin corneas.
Opthamologists require patients meet the following criteria for either LASIK or PRK treatments:
- Be between 21 and 40 years of age – the eyes are fully developed only by 21, and they start succumbing to age-related issues at 40.
- One’s eyeglass prescription must be stable for one year.
- Patients should have had no eye injuries or infections in the last year
- Patients must have no history of dry eyes.
For LASIK only, patients must have a normal-depth cornea.