LASIK vs. PRK – What You Need to Know

December 5th, 2017
PRK Laser Eye Surgery

If you’re beginning your journey to better vision by considering laser eye surgery, first of all, congratulations! That’s a big and exciting step. Everyone deserves to wake up each day with clear vision (without having to reach for those pesky glasses or put in contacts). You’ve got a lot of life to live and moments to see!

Taking this leap can be understandably confusing, especially with all the options to consider and decisions to make. But good news, we have your back!

First, there’s the decision to take the plunge with vision correction surgery. You’ve been considering it for awhile, and it’s time to make it a reality instead of a “someday” dream. Make TODAY your someday!

Second, there is the decision of who you’ll trust your eyes to. That’s the most important decision of them all.

We encourage you to visit one of our convenient locations in Arlington, Dallas, Plano, Mount Pleasant and Gun Barrel City for a free consultation and experience a Center of Excellence. We only offer advanced technologies because we know that’s what delivers the most optimal results. Not to mention the VIP patient care and smiling faces you’ll see around every corner in our offices.

Third, comes a decision for the experts. Your eyes will be examined during your consultation to determine which surgery option you are a candidate for. Two of the most common laser eye procedures performed today are LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) and PRK (PhotoRefractive Keratectomy).

Often when patients are not a candidate for LASIK surgery, PRK is a great alternative or vice versa. Since everyone’s eyes are unique, there is no “one-size-fits-all” laser eye surgery that is suitable for each and every person; lots of factors play into determining which procedure is best for you.

Let’s take a dive into some differences and similarities in LASIK vs. PRK to equip you with all the basic knowledge you need to know.

Both procedures work by changing the shape of the cornea so that light is focused correctly for improved vision. During LASIK, a corneal flap is created using either a blade or a laser. The flap is lifted and an excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea by ablation. Here at Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers, we only use a laser to create the flap because it is the latest, safest and most accurate approach. No blades around here.

During PRK surgery, surgeons remove a central area of the corneal epithelium, then use an excimer laser to ablate layers of the cornea. There is no flap involved in this method. The corneal epithelium will repair itself from the surgery, which usually takes five days. One of the most notable differences between LASIK surgery vs. PRK surgery is recovery time.

For LASIK patients, vision improves rapidly, generally within 24 hours. Patients often see immediate results, though it may take several days to reach peak clarity and accuracy. On the other hand, PRK patients should expect to wait up to six months to see their best results from the procedure. However, in the end, the goal is the same and attainable for both methods, which is 20/20 vision or better.

Both LASIK and PRK are capable of treating myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. In most cases, determining which procedure is favored for a patient’s unique set of eyes comes down to the thickness of their cornea. People with thin corneas are generally not good candidates for LASIK due to the creation of a corneal flap.

Which method is better? It’s hard to say definitively. Every medical procedure comes with its own benefits and risks; it comes down to which one will deliver the most flawless results for your priceless peepers. And that decision is best left to an expert – your KE surgeon!  

We are always at the forefront of patient care, research, and technology in the field of vision correction. We have confidence knowing you’ll feel great about your decision to join the thousands of other patients who have trusted their eyes to Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers. Click here to schedule a free consultation to start determining which procedure is right for you!

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