If you're considering laser eye surgery, you're probably wondering about the difference between LASIK and PRK/LASEK surgeries. Each of these methods has its benefits for particular patients and conditions. They all treat refractive vision errors, so which one is right for you?
What Does Each Procedure Do?
LASIK stands for laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis. According to the Mayo Clinic, the first step in any laser vision correction is to access the cornea. With traditional LASIK a thin flap is created with an instrument called a microkeratome, which is a blade that goes across the cornea to create a thin flap. The surgeon lifts the flap, reshapes the cornea to improve vision, and then replaces the flap.
LASIK WITH INTRALASE™ is the newest type of laser vision correction. During this procedure, the flap is created with a special laser and, as with traditional LASIK, the flap is lifted and the cornea is reshaped with the Eximer Laser. Woodhams Eye Clinic performs LASIK with Intralase™, which has been shown to provide better visual acuity and faster healing time than the older traditional LASIK.
PRK stands for photorefractive keratectomy. According to EyeSmart, in PRK, the surgeon removes the epithelium, or protective layer of of the cornea, instead of creating a flap to access the cornea in order to perform the vision correction portion of the procedure. Because of this, PRK can be a good choice for patients with thin corneas or who suffer from chronic dry eye.
LASEK stands for laser epithelial keratomileusis. The basic technique is the same as PRK. With this method of laser eye surgery, the surgeon moves a very thin surface layer of the cornea and pushes it to the side of the iris area, which allows reshaping of the cornea to improve vision. The surface layer is then moved back and the surgeon puts a protective lens in place during healing. LASEK may be a better option for patients who have thin corneas, or who play sports or have jobs that could cause trauma to the eye.
What's the Difference?
All of these procedures can help improve your vision. So what's the difference between LASIK and PRK/LASEK surgeries for recovery and healing time? According to research published in Seminars in Ophthalmology, PRK was developed before LASIK as a way to access the cornea but is still performed when it is the best and safest method. Recovering from PRK takes a bit longer than LASIK because the epitheleal layer needs to regenerate, which takes seven to ten days. LASIK and PRK patients use prescription antibiotics and anti-inflammatory eye drops for a few days after surgery. After PRK the vision will fluctuate during the healing time but should be very good after the first 10 days. It can take up to six months to reach full healing and peak vision after PRK surgery. With LASIK, the recovery takes less time and there's usually less discomfort. Patients can expect to see improved vision within a day after the surgery, and it can continue to improve for a few months, notes the FDA. All of these methods produce positive results in patients with conditions such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (when the cornea curves or flattens unevenly, disrupting focus). With LASIK and LASEK, the procedure takes about 5 minutes per eye, including less than one minute of laser treatment. Patients are allowed to drive one to three days after having LASIK, while after LASEK you may not be allowed to drive for one week. LASEK may be a better choice than LASIK for patients who suffer from chronic dry eye, while PRK can be a good option for patients with thin corneas, large pupils, or corneal transplants.
If you're considering laser eye surgery, talk with your doctor about the difference between LASIK and PRK/LASEK surgeries, your specific vision problem, and any eye conditions that affect which procedure will work best for you.
Would you like to talk to someone here at Woodhams about LASIK? Enter your information below and one of our patient care advocates will reach out to you or you can call us at 770-394-4000.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
