Do you want to enjoy crystal-clear vision without glasses and contacts? Have you been told you’re not a good candidate for other refractive procedures like LASIK? You should consider PRK.
PRK predates LASIK as the first-ever vision correction procedure. It is still offered to this day because it remains a safe, effective method of vision correction.
Keep reading to learn more about considering PRK instead if you’re not a LASIK candidate.
What is PRK?
PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy, changes how light refracts through the eye by reshaping the cornea. When the cornea is misshapen, or your eye is too long or too short, it can cause a refractive error such as farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism.
By removing a small amount of corneal tissue, PRK can correct the overall shape of the cornea and, in turn, your refractive error. The procedure is minimally invasive and uses a pre-programmed laser for optimal precision.
It can reduce your reliance on visual aids and provide relief from the common frustrations of glasses and contacts. Instead, you can have crisp, clear vision 24/7.
How is PRK Different from LASIK?
The basic principles of PRK and LASIK are the same. Both procedures use lasers to reshape the cornea and correct refractive errors.
The main difference between the procedures is in how the cornea is accessed. PRK accesses the cornea by removing the epithelium, or outer layer of the cornea.
LASIK, on the other hand, creates a flap in the cornea itself. The flap is then lifted, and a laser is used to reshape corneal tissue under the flap.
The flap is then replaced, aiding the healing process by acting as a natural bandage. This process makes LASIK recovery a little faster than PRK.
However, the technique used for LASIK doesn’t work for everyone. If your corneas are too thin to accommodate a corneal flap, you won’t be able to have LASIK.
In patients with thin corneas, creating a flap would leave you without enough tissue in the corneal bed, which can cause severe visual problems. Since PRK doesn’t require a corneal flap, it’s better suited for patients with thin corneas.
PRK vs. LASIK Results
PRK is the oldest vision correction procedure, but it’s still performed today because the technique has long proven highly effective. Modern technology has also made the procedure even safer and more effective.
The difference in the final results of LASIK and PRK is virtually non-existent. Both procedures share high success rates, with over 90% of patients achieving 20/20-20/40 vision or better.
The only real differences in results come in the recovery. LASIK patients typically see immediate visual improvement, but PRK patients don’t see visual improvement for some time.
After PRK, your eye surgeon will give you a special contact lens to protect your eyes while the epithelium regrows, a process that can take one to two weeks. However, the final results of the procedures take the same amount of time.
LASIK patients don’t reach their best vision until their eyes are fully healed, and neither do PRK patients. Full recovery from both LASIK and PRK takes 3-6 months.
For all but the first couple weeks of this time, the only healing you’ll notice is your vision improving, as your eyes will feel normal again after the initial recovery period.
Who is a Good Candidate for PRK?
In order to have any vision correction procedure, you need to be over 18, have stable vision, and be in good health. There are also other qualifiers that can only be evaluated through a consultation with your eye doctor at Cheema MD Eye Care.
You may also be a good candidate for PRK if you:
- Are not pregnant or nursing
- Have not had other eye procedures or eye injuries in the last year
- Do not have advanced cataracts or glaucoma
- Do not have autoimmune conditions like Sjogren’s syndrome, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis
- Have healthy corneas
- Do not have severe corneal scarring
- Do not have a history of eye infections.
- Do not have diabetes that isn’t under control
- Have been told you are not a good candidate for LASIK due to thin corneas, but still want to achieve visual freedom
- Have realistic expectations about the results of PRK
If you’re unsure whether you have thin corneas, your eye doctor can measure them during an eye exam at your consultation. They will also review your medical history, family history, and vision goals with you to determine whether PRK is the right vision correction procedure for you.
What Will My Vision Be Like After PRK?
After PRK, many patients experience better vision than they ever had with glasses or contacts. It can reduce or eliminate your reliance on visual aids completely.
This means you can enjoy clear, high-definition vision with all of your favorite activities. Imagine how amazing it will be to play your favorite sport, attend a concert, or watch the sun go down with crystal-clear vision.
You can also be more spontaneous with your travels, as you won’t have to worry about packing your glasses in your carry-on or whether you have enough daily lenses to last your whole trip. Once you reach your destination, you can live in the moment and start making memories you’ll play back through a crisp, vivid image.
Do you want to learn more about achieving clear vision with PRK? Schedule an appointment at Cheema MD Eye Care in Kingston, NY, today!
