DID YOU KNOW?
LASIK is the most popular technique of laser eye surgery to reduce or eliminate glasses and contact lenses.
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PRK vs LASIK Eye Surgery
Laser refractive surgery can be divided into two main categories: LASIK (laser insitu keratomileusis) and PRK (photorefractive keratectomy). Both use the laser in the same manner, but the initial aspects of the procedure are different between the two surgeries.
PRK |
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LASIK |
Involves simply removing and polishing the surface layer of the eye (cornea). This reshapes the eye and corrects most refractive errors.
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Is a more complex 3-step procedure:
1). A flap is created and peeled to the side (like an orange peel), 2).
The laser removes tissue from the exposed area, 3).
The flap is rolled back into position.
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Benefits: |
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Benefits: |
- Simple technique with very little surgical risk.
- No longterm flap risk – a consideration for certain situations (such as martial arts, construction, law enforcement, and dry eye syndrome).
- Surgery is on the top, superficial layer of the cornea, making it generally safer.
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- Fast, virtually painless recovery.
- Less chance of either scarring or corneal erosion (surface breakdown) compared to PRK.
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Things to Consider: |
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Things to Consider: |
- Slower recovery than LASIK – most people take one week off work; full vision recovery can take weeks/months for some.
- Potentially more discomfort in first few days.
- Faint scarring may occur with strong treatments or re-treatments.
- Small risk of recurrent corneal erosion syndrome (i.e. awakening with irritation in the eye – may happen months after surgery).
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- Potential for flap complications.
- Tissue is removed at a deeper level of the cornea, and there is a potentially greater risk to structurally weaken the eye compared to PRK.
- May be inappropriate to have permanent flap with certain jobs or hobbies: construction, military, martial arts.
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