PRK vs LASIK

Over the years medical sciences have come a long way which makes us ask, PRK vs LASIK? This has lead to more effective and innovative ways of operating of which, laser treatment is used. This technique is very common used by surgeons across the world to operate on the different parts of human body. Over time, laser eye surgery has seen a huge rise in popularity in the field of eye treatment. There are basically two types of laser treatments that are available PRK and LASIK. Thus there exists a debate between them as which is better.

Clarification

While PRK stands for Photorefractive Keratectomy and LASIK is referred to as Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis. Both these processes intend to rectify one’s vision and help to reduce the dependency on contact lenses and glasses. As both these processes are widely applied to modify the shape of the cornea for sharper and clearer vision, there is often confusion between PRK and LASIK, as to which one is better.

It is important that we know why more doctors are taking the help of lasers for eye treatments. In such operations, a non-thermal ray of light is used by surgeons. This ray of light is used to reshape the upper layer of your eyes, which helps to improve the vision. Thus with the help of this laser it can be used to correct nearsightedness by flattening the microscopic bits of tissue, astigmatism is corrected by smoothing the corneal irregularities and to correct farsightedness the cornea is steepened. Thus there is always a debate between the two, though the basic purpose of both the treatments are the same.

The Surgery

The process of LASIK eye surgery uses excimer laser beam which helps in the reshaping of the cornea. It is done with the help of thin corneal flap that mainly helps to preserve epithelial cells. To expose the cornea stroma, the flap is pulled back. Then the laser beam is put on to the exposed corneal bed. This process is pretty hazardless and takes not more than 30 to 90 minutes. The process of PRK eye surgery is performed with the help of an excimer laser as well. This process uses a cool ultraviolet ray to take away the tiny bits of tissue from the cornea. This helps to reshape the corneas helping in clearer vision. This recovery period for this process is also very important.

Video

Need a more thorough explanation? These doctors explain it better than we can in this video we found on Youtube.

As both the processes, are commonly used by surgeons there always remains a debate as to which one is better. LASIK processes are more comfortable in comparison to PRK processes. While PRK effects take days or even weeks for good vision to return, the time is much less in the case of LASIK. In the case of PRK vs LASIK both the processes are highly effective and there costs also don’t vary much.