What You Need To Know About PRK Vs Lasik

When the need for laser eye surgery arises for many people, they are thrown between two options; PRK vs Lasik.  

If you are wondering what PRK vs Lasik is, you are not alone! Both are refractive eye surgery that treats the same eye problem. Although their mechanisms are different, PRK and Lasik treat vision problems such as astigmatism, far and short-sightedness, among others. 

In this article, we’ll explain important things you need to know about these types of laser eye surgery, while also putting your safety as a priority. 

What is PRK and Lasik?

PRK is an acronym for Photorefractive Keratectomy, a laser eye surgery procedure that helps treat vision problems by correcting the shape of the cornea. Lasik refers to Laser-assisted in situ keratomileuses, another eye surgery technique with the same intent as PRK.

While PRK and Lasik perform the same functions; to modify or reshape the cornea, they are different in some ways. Although many people are more familiar with Lasik, PRK has been around long before Lasik. That being said, let’s delve into the important things you should know about prk vs lasik. 

PRK vs Lasik: What You Should Know 

• Procedure

It is important to know that PRK vs Lasik have different procedures but use the same amount of time and similar tools. Both eye surgeries involve the use of lasers by a surgeon to correct the vision of an individual. 

In the case of PRK, the cornea’s outer (epithelial layer) is removed with lasers, exposing the eye, before the surgeon then reshapes the cornea. In a Lasik procedure, however, a thin flap is made on the cornea to allow reshaping to take place. 

• Safety

The safety of an individual after eye surgery is paramount. In the case of PRK vs Lasik, it is difficult to say one is unsafe, but a candidate must consult a surgeon to determine the safest and best surgery. For instance, both procedures have certain precautions people must take before and after going through them. A surgeon will be able to tell which is best for a client.

• Recovery

PRK and Lasik have different recovery times, while a patient can recover within few hours after Lasik is performed, PRK takes a longer time because of the removal of the outer layer of the cornea before it is reshaped. It takes weeks before patients completely heal after PRK. 

• Cost

Cost is an important factor many people consider when choosing which laser surgery is the best option for them. While it is tempting to always consider the cheaper option, we recommend that you prioritize safety over price. Generally, PRK is more expensive than Lasik because it requires post-surgery checkups which might not be necessary in the case of Lasik.