Both PRK and Lasik are laser eye surgeries and sometimes PRK is considered and known as cousin of Lasik, in the medical industry. Since these two are laser eye surgery procedures, there are some similarities and of course there are some differences also. Let us explore both the similarities and differences between them.
Differences Between PRK and Lasik
The basic difference in between these procedures is the way they are performed. And in detail, during the procedure, the way the cornea is accessed by the LVC surgeon is the key difference. When the procedure starts, the excimer laser sculpts the surface of the cornea and overall shape of the cornea. So, before that the cornea’s epithelium tissue, which covers it, has to be moved out temporarily or removed out from the way. In the procedure of PRK, the tissue is removed and it is moved out temporarily out of the way, in the procedure of Lasik.
Which Is Better, PRK or Lasik?
- PRK is preferred over Lasik, as it is medically approved in cases of sports and other employment related aspects, where as Lasik is not.
- PRK offers permanent solution to the refractive error, though it takes long time for healing and recovery.
- The fundamental difference between PRK and Lasik is flap. PRK is considered to be better for having no flap touched in the surgery procedure. Hence, there are no complications associated with the flap. For the same reason, some of the patients and eye surgeons prefer PRK to some of the patients, who are suitable. So, PRK is better than Lasik and preferred by some of the professionals or sport persons, who accept higher risk of direct trauma.
- One more advantage of the PRK over Lasik is that the corneal thickness does not need to be more as needed for Lasik. So, eye patients, who have more refractive error with nearsightedness or naturally thinner corneas or even both these conditions, prefer PRK as the suitable procedure, rather than Lasik.
While the above are fundamental differences and benefits of PRK compared to Lasik, there are also certain downsides related to PRK. First of healing period is a bit longer and the patient has to wear the bandage of contact lens for about 4 days to 5 days during initial healing phase of epithelial tissue. Hence, the patient has to be limited to stay at home before resuming the day to day and normal activities.
Most often, suitability of the laser eye procedure, whether it is PRK or Lasik is determined by the eye surgeons, rather than the patient oneself.
On an overall, each of the laser eye surgery procedure has its own pros and cons and selection of the procedure purely depends on the condition of the eye and refractive error. This selection is done by the eye doctor, only after examining the eyes and considering the prescription from one year before. PRK is definitely a beneficial one compared to Lasik, for the high contact sports and relative professionals and also the patients, who have very thin cornea.