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PRK laser eye surgery (Photorefractive Keratectomy) is a type of laser vision surgery used for the correction of nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. It is an alternative to LASIK, most often recommended if a patient’s corneas are too thin to make LASIK a safe option for them. PRK was actually the first type of laser vision surgery and is the predecessor from which LASIK was created.
PRK vs. LASIK: How is PRK different from LASIK?
What makes PRK different from LASIK is in how the cornea is prepared. During PRK eye surgery, a thin layer of corneal tissue (epithelium) on the surface of the eye is gently removed. This exposes the cornea to be reshaped by the laser. The laser application to reshape the cornea is just the same as with LASIK and once completed, a contact lens is placed over the eye. This contact lens acts as a bandage, protecting the eye for the few days during epithelial regeneration.
When is PRK a better choice than LASIK?
PRK is most commonly recommended to patients who aren’t safe candidates for LASIK due to their lack of corneal thickness. The corneal thickness is determined during the FREE LASIK examination and at this time the doctor will recommend the best procedure to correct your vision.
PRK does have added benefits for some patients, regardless of their corneal thickness though. PRK may also be presented as an option for patients who suffer from chronic dry eye, or those who work in certain professions like firefighting/police or participate in certain activities like boxing/MMA where a risk of eye injury is higher and therefore the risk of flap damage following LASIK is possible.
PRK Treats
LASIK is the most commonly performed laser eye surgery to treat hyperopia (farsightedness), as well as myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism.
Hyperopia is the medical term for “farsightedness”. Being farsighted means you can see far away objects well without the use of glasses or contact lenses, but your near vision is blurry. This is caused by the shape of the cornea being too flat, causing light to focus on a hypothetical point behind the retina.
The LASIK correction of farsightedness is accomplished by steepening the central cornea, thus allowing light to focus correctly on the retina. During the procedure, pulses of cool, ultra-violet light are emitted from a computer-guided Excimer laser to remove corneal cells according to your unique prescription.
PRK Treats
LASIK is one of the most common laser correction surgeries to correct astigmatism.
If you have astigmatism, without corrective lenses you experience overall blurry vision, shadowing, or distortion of your vision. Astigmatism is a refractive error caused by the cornea having an oval, or football shape resulting in light focusing on multiple points around the retina rather than a single point on the retina.
The LASIK correction of astigmatism is accomplished by smoothing out the irregularities of the cornea at the precise points of astigmatism, thus allowing light to focus correctly on the retina. During the procedure, pulses of cool, ultra-violet light are emitted from a computer-guided Excimer laser to remove corneal cells according to your unique prescription.
PRK Treats
LASIK is the most commonly performed laser eye surgery to treat myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism.
Myopia is the medical term for “nearsightedness”. Being nearsighted means you can see near objects well without the use of glasses or contact lenses, but your distance vision is blurry. Myopia affects about one out of every 3 or 4 people.
In order to correct nearsightedness with LASIK, the steep parts of the cornea, which cause the refractive error are flattened using cool pulses of ultraviolet light emitted by the laser, thus allowing light to focus directly on the retina in the back of the eye.
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What is the recovery time after PRK?
One difference between LASIK and PRK is the recovery time. Patients having PRK should expect a slightly longer healing time, during which that may experience vision blurriness during the initial days of healing, and may experience brief periods of discomfort or irritation as the epithelial cells regrow. Prescribed anti-inflammatory and lubricating drops will minimize post-procedural discomfort and speed-up the healing process. As with LASIK eye surgery, the end results are improved vision.
Is PRK Laser Eye Surgery Painful?
As with LASIK, due to the use of anaesthetic numbing drops used, you won’t feel anything, other than light pressure, during the procedure itself. Patients report feeling some mild discomfort and irritation following their PRK procedure, but state it is tolerable. This irritation can be alleviated by the use of lubricating drops and over-the-counter pain relievers are prescribed by your surgeon. The discomfort is most noticeable in the few days immediately following the procedure and abate over time.
Do I have to be awake during LASIK or PRK?
We understand that the concept of having someone do something to your eyes can be unsettling, but rest assured, you don’t experience pain. Since the eyes are easily numbed with anaesthetic numbing drops, you won’t feel pain. Being asleep during LASIK eye surgery would actually be detrimental as in order for the cool-pulses of laser light to reshape the cornea in the right places of your eye, you will be asked to focus on a blinking light during the very short procedure (less than a 60 seconds per eye).
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Our Google reviews speak to the LASIK experience with our teams!
Dalton Fox
Dr. Edelstein and his team here at LasikPlus are incredible. More of the medical establishment needs to take influence from what is offered here. Affordable, life changing care, delivered by friendly folks who actually care about you as a person and not just as another number. I've been without the better half of my vision for over 6 years now. I've never enjoyed wearing glasses or contacts. So I've chosen to let the world around me blur and fade away. Mostly working from home on a computer my nearsightedness has never been much of a problem. Little did I realize how much of the world I was missing. I see details now from distances I had never imagined possible. I had been thinking about getting Lasik for many years prior to visiting this office, but I've always thought it would be too expensive or risky. Let me tell you, they offer affordable care plans, and the procedure itself is something out of Science Fiction. For my prescription, I was out of the operating room in under 8 minutes (seriously my wife got a video of the whole thing). There was no pain, nothing to fear, the whole process was mind blowing 🤯. I can now see, after only a few days of healing, at 20/15 which is even greater vision than the standard best of 20/20. Many of my colleagues are now convinced and getting their free consultations. You should be convinced too. Go get LASIK. Stop fussing with contacts and glasses and give yourself the treat of vision. Vision even greater than what you've ever experienced before.
Staci Foote
Entire staff was nice, down to earth and displayed excellent beside manner! Dr. Ellis sealed the deal making me feel comfortable during the actual LASIK surgery. I happened to be wearing an AALIYAH T-shirt that day, and he even made me even more relaxed and reassured when he PLAYED AALIYAH'S music during the swift, painless process! I've already recommended them to family and friends!
Dom Ran (Sirius Wot)
Probably like many people, I was terrified before this procedure. I was scared I would be in agonizing pain, or the surgeon would slip and stab my retina, or some other disconcerting thought like that, and it was not any better the day of. However, while I was waiting, this very nice woman noticed I was terrified and chatted with me a little bit. I don’t remember her name, but I do remember the comfort I felt talking with her and being reassured that everything will go smoothly. My name was finally called, and just as soon as I walked in, I walked right back out with incredible vision. My vision has never been clearer. I can finally see my actual face in the mirror without having to wear my glasses. Speaking of which, I no longer have to worry about cleaning, losing, or breaking my glasses ever again. If you qualify, and if you can afford it, I cannot recommend LASIK enough. It may seem intimidating at first, but not only do you not feel a thing during the procedure, you will have perfectly clear vision within a day or two. LASIK has helped me so much, and if you decide to try it, just know that you are making an incredible decision.
jacob edwards
Amazing! Can’t believe how quick the procedure was, how personal the staff were, and how quickly my vision was restored.
Ty Hamilton
Yelp users across the country are talking about LasikPlus.
Swapna M.
Edit: Just had my eyes done with Dr. Marino. It hasn't been 24 hours and I have no discomfort and can see great! Wonderful staff and I love how they talked...
59 Yelp folks have checked into our vision centers.