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Prk Vs. Lasik Surgery

PRK and LASIK eye surgery work to correct vision by reshaping the cornea so light enters the eye differently. Both have benefits and drawbacks, which are important to learn and understand before choosing the best procedure for you. In recent years, PRK and LASIK procedures have become more common.

  1. History and Statistics

    • Although PRK or photorefractive keratectomy, was developed and adapted in the 1970s and 1980s, it was not approved by the FDA until 1995. The development of LASIK is attributed to a Greek doctor, Ioanni Pallikaris in 1989. It took 10 years for the FDA to approve LASIK as a corrective procedure. According to the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, 95 percent of laser corrective eye surgery report improved vision and 85 percent say their quality of life has improved

    PRK and LASIK Procedures

    • Photoreafractive Keratectomy, also known as PRK, was the first procedure created for laser vision correction. It works by removing the epithelieum or first of the five layers of the cornea. After this top layer is removed, the inner layers of the cornea are exposed and the laser results the curve of the eye. In LASIK surgery, the surgeon creates a corneal flap that remains attached to the eye. The flap is gently lifted and the inner cornea is exposed. The laser beam starts to re-sculpt the cornea and then the surgeon puts the flap back into the original position.

    Benefits of PRK and LASIK

    • The benefit of PRK is that no needles or incisions are required for the procedure, making it a good choice for those who have sensitivity to others touching their eye. In LASIK, no stitches are required and the flap normally stays in place because of the natural ocular pressure. A contact is normally not necessary after LASIK procedures.

    Infection and the Cornea

    • According to the National Eye Institute, the cornea is the surface that covers the front of the eye and does not contain any blood vessels, which would normally help reduce the chance of infection. The cornea consists of five layers, the first which is the epithelium. This is the region of the eye that composes about 10 percent of the thickness of the cornea. The epithelium is the layer effected in PRK and LASIK procedures.

    Medication after PRK and LASIK

    • After PRK surgery, eye medication is used to prevent infection and promote healing, while a contact is placed on the eye to prevent infection in the first week after the surgery. It will take approximately three to four months for the epithelium to regenerate. Some pain medication is normally prescribed during the first few days. Following LASIK, eye drop medication is used for a about one week and the patient can normally return to work or normal activities within three days. Although the healing can happen quickly for some, it may take a few months for vision to become stable. Non-prescription medications are often recommended for LASIK patients, but prescription medications are normally not prescribed.

    Drawbacks of PRK and LASIK

    • The cornea has the most nerve fibers in the entire body, making the first few days painful during the surgery and healing process. If the eye does not heal properly, scar tissue or infection may develop, but these are normally treated via medication and are closely monitored by the ophthalmologist. One of the disadvantages of LASIK is that it requires the creation of the flap, as some complications arise in the lifting and repositioning.

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