The Safety of PRK vs. LASIK

People choosing to correct their vision have a number of procedures to choose from, including photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and Lasik surgery. When opting for one or the other, it is helpful to know that both are safe procedures and FDA approved.

FDA Approval

• For both the Lasik and PRK procedure, a computer controls a laser that can be turned on and off by the surgeon at any time. The laser—a non-thermal beam of light—is FDA approved to guarantee safety for patients.

Time Frame

• Each procedure is an outpatient procedure, meaning patients are well enough to go home the same day as surgery. However, because clear vision takes longer after PRK, a doctor will correct each eye a week or two apart, while Lasik allows for both eyes to be done at the same time.

Discomforts

• Neither procedure is painful. The surgeon puts anesthetic eye drops in a patient’s eyes beforehand. However, there is more discomfort with PRK because, unlike Lasik, which creates a small flap in the cornea, PRK removes the outer layer of the cornea. This may take a week or two to grow back.

Complications

• Lasik and PRK have very few complications. Patients mostly experience dry eyes or halos following either procedure. Also, blindness has never resulted from either Lasik or PRK.

Recovery

• Lasik patients may return to normal activities the day after surgery, while PRK patients will usually require a couple days of rest.