PRK Vs. LASIK

Photorefractive Keratectomy or PRK is refractive surgery used to reshape the cornea. PRK was the first surgical procedure developed to reshape the cornea, by sculpting, using a laser. Later, LASIK was developed. The same type of laser is used for PRK vs LASIK. Often the exact same laser is used for the two types of surgery.

The major difference between the two surgeries is the way that the stroma, the middle layer of the cornea, is exposed before it is vaporized with the laser. In PRK, the top layer of the cornea, called the epithelium, is scraped away to expose the stromal layer underneath. In LASIK, a flap is cut in the stromal layer and the flap is folded back.

PRK vs LASIK Treatment

LASIK requires the surgeon to use a surgical instrument called a microkeratome to create a corneal flap.

·          PRK vs LASIK, the latter requires no stitches as the flap stays in place by the natural pressure of your eyes.

·          PRK vs LASIK, the latter uses eye drop medication for up to one week and the patient typically can resume normal activities with three days.

·          In PRK vs LASIK patients, the latter experience only 5-6 hours of discomfort as the surface (epithelial) layer heals.

• The disadvantage of LASIK is that it requires an additional surgical step, the creation of the flap. This creation is painless and takes less than a minute to complete.

PRK involves removal of the top surface level of the cornea called the epithelium. This exposes the inner cornea which the computer assisted laser will begin to resculpt the curvature of the eye.

• The advantage of PRK vs LASIK is that it does not require needles or incisions. 
   

• One good feature of PRK vs LASIK is that eye medications are used and clear contact lenses are placed on each eye to prevent infection. These lenses are removed within 2-5 days after surgery. The surface (epithelial) layer will begin to regenerate itself and the whole healing process will take up to 3-4 months. During that time eye medications will be used to promote healing and prevent infections.
   

• PRK vs LASIK, in the former patients usually take pain relief medication for about 1-2 days postoperatively. This is due to the fact that most of the pain fibers in the cornea are located in the surface portion and with PRK these are affected during surgery and the healing process.
   

• PRK vs LASIK, in the former there is a small risk of problems arising from an irregular healing response and/or infection. These can generally be treated with medications.

This article is provided courtesy of Roxanne Courtmanch.  Please visit www.thehelpingcircle.com for more articles on Lasik as well as many other topics that may be of interest to you.

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