Not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery. Even though there have been many recent advances in LASIK, there are certain circumstances where PRK laser surgery is recommended over LASIK eye surgery. For instance, if the patient has large pupils or an unusalyy thin cornea, the doctor may suggest PRK.
PRK or LASIK - What's the Difference?
Your cornea is made up of layers. The top, or outer layer, called the epithelium, is soft and has the ability to heal quickly. The layer underneath is called the stroma - this does not regrow, and it's the area that's targeted by the LASIK procedure.
With LASIK eye surgery, a small flap is cut from the cornea, the flap is folded back out of the way and the laser reshapes beneath the surface of the cornea.
However, with PRK laser surgery, no flap is created, since the cornea itself is reshaped by removing thin layers of cells from the outer surface. The surgeon uses the laser to vaporize a portion of the epithelium to gain access to the stroma layer underneath.
Unlike LASIK eye surgery, which boasts a quick recovery time, PRK patients experience a longer recovery time. Also, you'll experience greater pain and discomfort after the procedure. You may even notice blurred or hazy vision for as long as two months after surgery. You won't actually see the results of the surgery until after this two month period.
Some Side Effects of PRK
It's common that PRK patients experience eye dryness and must use lubricating eye drops or artificial tears as a remedy. Also, the doctor will probably prescribe antibiotics to prevent possible infection. In many cases, night vision suffers, often becoming worse that before the PRK procedure, although daytime vision usually improves. Driving at night is not advised for the first few months, since glare and halo effects could cause safety concerns.
Since the PRK procedure actually removes a portion of the epithelium, patients usually are required to wear a temporary bandage contact lens for protection for five or six days, until the epithelium regenerates.
Advantages of PRK
About 80% of the patients who undergo PRK laser surgery no longer rely upon corrective lenses. PRK surgery is a safe procedure that boasts an impressive rate of success. If you've worn glasses or contact lenses for years, you'll be quite happy with your new, clear vision.
Remember, laser eye surgery is permanent, but as time goes by, your eyes can still change due to the natural aging process. Some doctors offer an inexpensive upgrade so that if you ever need the procedure repeated, it's done at no additional cost. If your at an age where your eyes are likely to be changing, say in your 40s or 50s, you should strongly consider this option.
When it comes to choosing between PRK and LASIK, it depends upon your personal circumstances. Your doctor will complete an eye exam and make the proper recommendation.
The risks associated with lasik eye surgery is not discussed much simply because it's an extremely safe procedure. The benefits far outweigh any risks yet, there are risks involved.You should never go into any surgical procedure with "rose colored glasses"... at least not before you understand there may be complications involved.In this article, we'll examine some of the more common Lasik eye surgery risks. Sight LossThe most obvious complication is to lose sight. Does this happen? Not that you'd hear about it but it's strongly recommended you discuss it with your surgeon.It would be extremely rare for any eye surgery to take place if it was discovered during the screening process you had a condition which was considered risky to the overall success of the treatment.If someone was to suffer loss of vision it would more than likely be part vision which could not be rectified by using eye wear or further surgery.Frustrating HalosHalos might be considered holy in religious circles but they are on the not wanted list and a Lasik eye surgery risk you should be told about during the consultation phase. The problems with halo effects is that they generally occur during low light conditions and can hamper such things as driving at night.Dry EyesAnother Lasik eye surgery risk is what is known as dry eye syndrome. While dry eye shouldn't have any long term effects it does present a degree of discomfort to the patient because the eye doesn't produce enough moisture. This can lead to such things as blurred vision.Dry eye doesn't need to be permanent and will require further treatment either via your surgeon or through recommended eye drop use.Extra TreatmentIt's not uncommon for patients to re-visit their surgeons following the initial Lasik treatment. Whether it's for extra surgery or simply as a precautionary measure to keep an eye on the recovery process. In fact, perfect vision following the initial surgery can be rare with patients who used eye wear before the procedure. They could need additional treatment and they still be required to wear glasses or contacts.These are just a small sample of Lasik eye surgery risk factors you could encounter but you shouldn't get hung up on them pre-surgery. The percentage of complications which actually occur is extremely low. These risks should be discussed with you when you sit down and talk with your specialist.
Both Carson Danfield & Dean Caporella are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Carson Danfield has sinced written about articles on various topics from Domains, Adwords and Aging. Want to separate LASIK Fact from Fiction? Get the straight story about all the different types of Laser Eye Surgery and learn which procedure is best for you. You'll learn the pros and cons of all the popular methods of surgical vision improvement -. Carson Danfield's top article generates over 110000 views. to your Favourites.
Dean Caporella has sinced written about articles on various topics from Parenting, Golf Guide and Surveys. Want to know how to avoid unnecessary? Save yourself unnecessary stress! Plus, get the latest. Dean Caporella's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.