The thought of eye surgery can cause anxiety and understandably you’ll want to know which one is safer – PRK or LASIK. Although photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is an older procedure, in some instances it will be more suitable and might be your only option.
Today both these types of eye surgery are still commonly performed and have helped millions to improve their eyesight and quality of life. Both PRK and LASIK use small blades or lasers to correct the cornea tissue. The major difference between these two procedures is that with LASIK a flap is made. This enables your doctor to create an opening so that the tissue can be accessed. After the procedure has been completed, the flap is closed again.
During the PRK procedure, no flap gets created. This can make PRK in some instances more suitable and safer than LASIK for some patients only. Instead, the cornea tissue’s top layer is simply removed.
What are the benefits of PRK?
PRK boasts an impressive success record! There is also a slim chance that you’ll develop long-term problems. Though, the main benefit of PRK surgery is that during the procedure no flap will be created. This means that many who do not qualify for LASIK has an alternative.
What are the benefits of LASIK?
The LASIK procedure also boasts a very high success rate. Though, the recovery time of LASIK is quicker than PRK. What is more, you’ll not require any bandages or stitches. This means that there will be fewer follow-up consultations and you’ll most likely also require less medication.
When might PRK be safer than LASIK and vice versa?
In certain instances doctors will opt for PRK surgery instead of LASIK because of job-related reasons. It is important to note that both procedures boast a high success rate. Though, PRK can be safer than LASIK for some patients of certain professions as it does not require a flap.
It could be that that they take part in activities that pose a significant risk. Consequently, they might be worried that the flap created during LASIK can get damaged. So, if you participate in any contact sports or belong to the military, talk to your ophthalmologist about your option.
What is the final verdict?
There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to corrective eye surgery as everyone’s eyes are unique. All things considered, both PRK and LASIK deliver great results and they are both safe!
Therefore, both procedures are great options if you need to improve your eyesight!
At the end of the day, your eye specialist will be the best person to ask when you are unsure which route to take. It could be that you are not the ideal candidate for LASIK because of your profession or lifestyle and PRK will be the safer option than LASIK. Although you might need a little bit longer to recover from your PRK surgery, you’ll still be only too grateful that you can ditch those contacts.
