The PRK procedure is similar to that of LASIK in the way the laser is applied to the eye. The main difference is that there is no flap created by the surgeon using a microkeratome. Instead, the laser is used to produce your optical correction by reshaping the outermost surface of the cornea, rather than the tissue beneath a flap, as in LASIK. This requires the removal of a thin layer of the corneal epithelium, which may produce varying degrees of temporary discomfort for up to a few days after your treatment.
Traditional PRK can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Custom PRK may be useful for those patients who require the correction of higher order aberrations to achieve their best vision.
This is an outpatient procedure that takes about 10 minutes to perform. During the procedure the cornea’s outermost protective epithelium is gently removed. While looking at a blinking light, the laser precisely reshapes your eye’s curvature in less than 40 seconds. Within three to five days the epithelium is restored and the new cornea shape remains corrected.
In general PRK provides a slower visual recovery than LASIK. The vision is immediately better upon standing up from the laser, but will fluctuate for several days to several weeks until the surface healing is complete and stabilized.
PRK has a distinct place for some patients as an alternative for LASIK. This procedure is recommended for those patients:
- whose corneas are too thin to have LASIK safely,
- whose corneas display evidence of scarring from infection or trauma,
- who are active or reserve military personnel,
- who want a safer procedure than LASIK.
- who are young (between 18 and 30 years old.
Let's compare in summary LASIK vs. PRK:
|
№ |
Factors |
PRK |
LASIK |
|
1 |
Cost |
$2,000.00 - $2,500.00 |
$2,000.00 - $2,500.00 |
|
2 |
Risk |
Low |
Low to Moderate |
|
3 |
Quality of vision |
Excellent (may be better then LASIK) |
Very good to excellent |
|
4 |
Speed of visual recovery |
3-5 days |
1-3 days |
|
5 |
Discomfort |
Minimal to moderate |
Minimal to none |
|
6 |
Excimer Laser used |
VISX S4 or Allegretto Wave |
VISX S4 or Allegretto Wave |
|
7 |
Time to perform procedure |
1 to 2 minutes |
2 to 5 minutes |
|
8 |
Ability to touch up or enhance results between 1-2 years. |
Excellent |
Excellent |
|
9 |
Ability to touch up or enhance results between 2-10 years. |
Excellent |
Difficult |
|
10 |
Application for patients involved in contact sports. |
Excellent |
Not recommended |
|
11 |
Risk of Ectasia or decompensation of cornea. |
Minimal to none |
Minimal to moderate |
|
12 |
Risk of dry eye |
Minimal to none |
Moderate to high |
Call our office TODAY at 323-937-2269 to schedule consultation with Dr. Kagan to find out which procedure is best for you!
