Difference between Lasik and PRK

  Last Updated on January 16, 2023 by Aaron Barriga

In recent times, people have become more comfortable with corrective eye surgeries for treating vision problems caused by near-sightedness, far-sightedness or astigmatism, due to increased safety and enhanced technology. Two of the most popular surgeries include PRK and LASIK.

PRK, abbreviated for Photorefractive Keratectomy, is a type of surface ablation employed for eye surgery. Computer-controlled laser is used directly over the corneal surface after removing a part of it, which is then allowed to grow back the next few days; whereas in LASIK, the surgery is performed under a thin flap of cornea which is placed back after the procedure. Though both procedures have their own pros and cons, they give excellent results in the end. Read on to know more.

PRK vs. LASIK

The main difference between these two surgeries is based on how surgeons deal with the corneal surface. In PRK, eye surgeon removes the outer layer of cornea and performs vision-correction surgery directly on corneal surface. The exposed area is then allowed to reshape through cell regeneration. It makes a better choice for people with thin corneas or chronically dry eyes.

In LASIK surgery, an incision is made (either with laser or blade) in the cornea to create a flap of tissue. This flap is then lifted and computer-controlled surgical laser is used to reshape inner layers of cornea to repair curvature imperfections causing poor vision. Corneal flap is then put back in place which heals over the reshaped part of the cornea.

PRK is Better Than LASIK in Patients Over 40

Surface cells of eyes of people over 40 are not tightly bound. This can cause the flap to slip during LASIK which can lead to serious complications. With PRK, those risks are eliminated by the absence of flap, making it suitable for elders. Moreover, patients over 40 have slightly dry eyes which get aggravated if LASIK is performed over them.

Candidates for PRK and Lasik

Every patient who is a good candidate for LASIK can opt for PRK, but vice versa does not hold true. PRK is advised for patients with:

• Thin corneas
• Large pupils
• Irregular astigmatism
• Steep corneas
• Prior eye surgery
• History of dry eye syndrome

Additionally, people with high-risk occupations, sportspeople and athletes prefer PRK over LASIK to eliminate the risk of corneal flap displacement. Thorough checkup by a qualified eye surgeon is a must before you proceed with either surgery.

PRK Recovery vs. LASIK Recovery

Though both surgeries give almost the same results, their recovery times differ significantly. PRK recovery takes a little longer than LASIK since the outer corneal layer needs time to reconstruct and heal. Cell generation will result in itchiness, blurriness and discomfort for a few days post surgery. Prescription eye-drops are given to patients to promote healing and reduce discomfort.

In LASIK, the flap is placed back over the cornea when procedure ends, thus drastically cutting down recovery time. The itchiness lasts just a few hours. However, for both surgeries the vision continues to improve gradually for several months before reaching peak quality.

PRK vs. LASIK- What’s the Difference?

Let’s take a look at the differences between PRK and LASIK surgery:

Difference	PRK	LASIK
Type	Laser-based corrective vision surgery so as to help the patient reduce dependency on glasses or contact lenses.	Laser-based corrective vision surgery so as to help the patient reduce dependency on contact lenses or glasses
Treatment for	Preferred for people who have a thin cornea, Myopia or Nearsightedness, Hyperopia or Farsightedness, Astigmatism	Nearsightedness or Myopia, Farsightedness or Hyperopia, Astigmatism
Eligible Age	21-40	21-40
Pros	Decreased depth of laser treatment, no complications regarding corneal flap, corneal thickness regulated	Speedy recovery, decreased risk of post-surgery infection, lower post-operative discomfort, peak vision achieved quickly as compared to PRK, both eyes can be done at the same time
Cons	Recovery slower as compared to LASIK, increased risk of post- operative complications, greater post-operative discomfort, patients sometimes have to wait for up to one to two weeks before operating the second eye	Possible complications from corneal flap, increased depth of laser
Potential Side Effects	Dry eyes, infection, night blindness – halos around lights, light sensitivity during night time	Night blindness – halos around lights, dry eyes, infection, dislodged corneal flap, light sensitivity during night time
Cons	Recovery slower as compared to LASIK, increased risk of post- operative complications, greater post-operative discomfort, patients sometimes have to wait for up to one to two weeks before operating the second eye	Possible complications from corneal flap, increased depth of laser
Criteria	No history of dry eyes, no eye injuries or infections within a year, stable prescription for minimum one year	Normal depth cornea, no history of dry eyes, stable prescription for at least one year and no injuries or infections within a year
Healing and Recovery	Takes up to six months before peak accuracy is achieved and clarity in vision is reached. Requires around one to three days for blurring and discomfort to subside	Vision improved immediately, blurring and discomfort gone within 24 hours
Outcome	20/20 vision or better	20/20 vision or better

 

What is Right for you

The best way to getting rid of your glasses and contacts is to visit a few of your local area eye doctors for a consultation and see if you are eligible for either or both procedures. It is possible that you may be a candidate for only one or both surgical procedures; these doctors will give you their professional opinions, options, and recommendations. It is advised that you visit a couple of eye doctors in your area and their professional opinions on what to do regarding your eyes after which you can draw up your own conclusion.

To learn more about the best laser corrective procedure for you, contact our professionals at Insight Vision Center in Fresno today! To schedule a consultation, call on 559-449-5050.