What Is the Difference Between PRK and LASIK?
In the LASIK procedure a thin corneal flap is created with a device called a microkeratome. The patient does not feel or see the cutting of the corneal flap, which only takes a few seconds. The excimer laser then sculpts the inner tissue of the cornea, and the flap is then repositioned. The corneal flap begins to adhere within a minute or two. After LASIK, your vision will improve within the first 24 hours. In the PRK procedure, a thin layer of corneal tissue is removed with an alcohol solution and the laser is then used to re-sculpt the cornea. After the procedure the patient is fitted with a bandage contact lens to improve comfort during healing. The bandage lens is usually removed within the first week, and the patient uses drops to increase comfort and promote healing. It can take several weeks for vision to stabilize, which is one reason LASIK has become the procedure of choice for many surgeons and patients. Some patients will be better candidates for PRK however because they hav
PRK was the first Excimer laser procedure approved for use in the United States. With PRK, the surface of the cornea (epithelium) is scraped or ablated along with the corneal tissue underneath. This sculpting removes microscopic layers of the cornea to correct refractive error. In contrast, LASIK reshapes the inner layers of the cornea to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. A special instrument called the microkeratome creates a thin layer of the cornea that is folded back . The Visx laser then precisely reshapes the inner surface of the cornea to enable light rays to focus more directly on the retina so images are in better focus. LASIK is the most widely used refractive procedure performed in the United States. Because the corneal surface is left virtually intact, most patients report a very high comfort level following the procedure and almost instantaneous improvements in visual acuity. Are all patients who wear glasses and contacts candidates for LASIK? Patien
Both are laser eye surgery procedures that use the excimer laser to reshape the cornea and correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. With PRK, the laser is used on the surface of the eye, while in LASIK, the laser work is performed under a thin, protective, corneal flap. The long-term results are similar. Additionally, visual recovery with LASIK is usually faster, with less discomfort and less possibility of scarring.
PRK, or photo refractive keratectomy, is similar to LASIK in that both procedures employ a computer-controlled excimer laser to reshape the cornea of the effected eye, However, LASIK preserves the epithelium (the outermost protective layer of the eye) because the surgeon creates a flap. During PRK, the epithelium is removed by gently scraping the surface. Anesthetic drops in t he eye ensure that the patient experiences as little discomfort as possible. PRK is characterized by a lengthier healing process and more discomfort than LASIK. However, PRK requires less instrumentation and avoids the creation of the flap and its attendant risks.
