Each day more and more people are looking into getting laser eye treatment performed but a lot are confused over which form of surgery is the best choice. This article talks about the ongoing debate – PRK vs LASIK.
PRK is a type of corrective eye surgery that stands for Photorefractive Keratectomy. It involves the modification of the eye’s corner to correct the problems with the patient’s vision. PRK refractive surgery uses a laser to change the shape of the surface of the eye by sculpting rather than cutting. This allows for a lower risk operation and the accuracy of the laser really improves results. PRK is a modern adaption of the RK procedure, radial keratotomy, which still relied on surgeons to use scalpel to make incisions in the cornea using a radial pattern to improve the patient’s vision. This process was obviously more risky as it relied heavily on the surgeons steady hands.
LASIK is short for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. It is a well known procedure used to fix problems with people’s vision such as astigmatism, myopia, and hyperopia by using refractive surgery with a laser. A thin flap is cut on the surface of the eye to allow a laser to sculpt the tissue below. The flap heals itself after the procedure is completed.
Many patients ask their doctor what the better option is, PRK vs LASIK? They both get the job done so there must be good reasons to pick one over the other. Surgeons generally recommend that the best option for eye surgery is Lasik. The main reasons being that Lasik is less painful and that it requires less recovery time for the patient.
PRK refractive surgery is still a valid option though and for some people the only option. Certain eye conditions mean that Lasik won’t get the job done. It is best to talk to your doctor about who wins in your own situation- PRK vs LASIK. You can find more information about the two eye treatment procedures by browsing through some of the articles on this site.
