If you’re considering laser eye surgery to repair your vision, you might be asking which is better: PRK or LASIK. Both of these operations are refractive surgical procedures that enhance your vision. Both treatments can lessen or eliminate your need for glasses or contact lenses. They address nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, among other visual issues. The cornea, the transparent outer layer of your eye that focuses light so you can see well, is reshaped with a laser in both LASIK and PRK. They go about it in slightly different ways, though. LASIK generates a thin flap of corneal tissue, and the outer layer of the cornea is removed during PRK, but it grows back over time. Both techniques have advantages and disadvantages. To find out about PRK surgery better, talk to your doctor or read this article.
- What Happens During a PRK Procedure?
- During a PRK eye surgery, the doctor will first numb your eye with drops.
- They’ll cover your eye with a special eyelid holder, so you don’t blink.
- The surgeon uses a blade, laser, brush, or alcohol-based liquid to remove the top layer of your cornea.
- The cornea is then reshaped with a laser.
- PRK for both eyes takes roughly 15 minutes.
- What Happens During LASIK Eye Surgery?
- LASIK is performed when the expert surgeon cleans and numbs your eye using drops.
- A gadget is placed over your eye to keep you from blinking.
- To keep your eye motionless, they’ll use a suction ring. You’ll experience some discomfort.
- The surgeon then cuts a tiny flap in your cornea using a laser or an instrument called a microkeratome.
- They’ll use a laser to restructure your cornea, then fold the flap back into place.
- When the flap heals, it will close up.
- For both eyes, LASIK surgery should take less than 30 minutes.
- What Are the Negative Consequences?
- After PRK, your eyes will be painful or itchy for a few days.
- At night, you may detect halos around lights. These issues will not stay long if you have them. Your eye doctor will instruct you on how to deal with them.
- Infections, cloudiness and scarring of the cornea, as well as vision loss, are exceedingly unusual adverse effects.
LASIK: Your eyes may pain, itch, or burn after the procedure. For a few days, your eyesight may be fuzzy. Other possible adverse effects, but less likely, include:
- At night, there is a lot of glare and halos surrounding lights.
- Sensitivity to light
- Patches of redness in your eyes
- After LASIK, there’s a small possibility you’ll suffer an eye infection or lose your eyesight, although this is exceedingly unusual.
- How much do they both cost you?
The cost is determined by the medical centre and the type of insurance. LASIK surgery costs around $2,200 per eye on average. Because PRK is easier and faster to execute, it may cost a few hundred dollars less. Some eye clinics attempt to keep rates as low as possible so that your doctor can provide you with the most delicate procedure for your eyes without having to worry about the cost.
Both LASIK and PRK are equally safe and effective. Approximately 9 out of 10 persons who have one of these treatments have 20/20 vision or more excellent without needing glasses or contact lenses after that. LASIK may be a better option if you’re active since it provides clean vision sooner. However, PRK may be the better option if you participate in contact sports since LASIK involves the doctor carving a flap on your cornea, which might become loose. For patients with thin corneas and dry eyes, PRK may be a preferable option.