Friday, January 23, 2009

Comparing PRK vs LASIK

By Jim Peters

Have you heard of LASIK? I'm sure you had and you have also heard how it can help us achieve perfect eyesight. It is interesting to note that very few people have come across this term Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK). PRK is also a pretty well-practiced vision correction sugery that has been practiced in many countries for at least 2 decades.

With that mind, let me compare PRK vs LASIK. We will look at the various similiarities and the differences. At the end, you will have to find out how to determine the best procedure for you. This information here should be able to help you gain the right enlightenment so that you can converse with the eye surgeon .

The similarities between PRK and LASIK:

1) Pain is not evident over the entire process

2) Both must apply eye medication for a few days after the surgery

3) Both need a few months to recover from the surgery

4) Both are effective to treat myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism

In fact, two of them have almost the same outcome in getting the perfect vision. Many patients have experience success with both procedures.

However, The interesting thing is that both have unique procedures, but the identital outcome.

Now here are some differences:

1) Patients with certain corneal conditions or corneal scars have to go for PRK, not LASIK

2) You need to wear a lens "bandage" for a few days

3) LASIK has an additional step which requires the generation of a flap

4) PRK does not need to create a flap, but go to the cornea's inner layers by taking out the thin outer layer of the cornea

5) Patient prefers LASIK because it heals faster

As you can see, there are some differences but in general both processes are safe. If you want to know which is better for you, it is best to consult a well-known eye surgeon who is able to access your eyes to determine what is suitable for you. This article should equip you with some knowledge so that you are able to converse with an eye surgeon with more confident. - 15255

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