There are many choices regarding laser eye surgery these days. It’s understandable that many people will think and rethink what type of laser eye surgery to go for in addressing their vision problems. First, there was LASIK, and now PRK is becoming more and more popular. It is actually contesting the popularity of LASIK in terms of effectiveness and improvements in vision. While both are extremely effective, the main difference between PRK and LASIK is that the former does not require the surgeon to make incisions on the thin surface of the cornea in order to alter its shape. This is good news for many; especially those who feel a bit anxious about the prospect of having something sharp come near their eyes.
LASIK is the abbreviation of Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. Beyond the dizzyingly complex words we see a procedure that is actually amazing in its simplicity. Basically, this surgery involves changing the cornea’s shape in order to address vision problems such as hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism, and nearsightedness. LASIK is so popular that very few people have not heard of it. It has spared many people from a lifetime of wearing contact lenses or eyeglasses for the rest of their lives just so they can perform simple tasks. LASIK is also popular because it immediately shows results. Patients who have had successful LASIK surgery report that they experience dramatic improvements in their vision within just 24 hours.
PRK is the abbreviation of Photorefractive Keractomy, which also has a very complex-sounding name that conceals a simple procedure. Like LASIK, it also aims to alter the shape of the cornea. Unlike LASIK, it does not need to create a flap on the surface so as to gain access to the underlying layers. Rather, a laser especially made for this procedure causes some tissues of the outer layers of the eye to disintegrate. While this may cause more discomfort and would thus require more time to rest, you can rest with the knowledge that nothing sharp had penetrated your eye. PRK is also a viable choice for people who are hesitant to go with LASIK because of the healing time that the corneal flap requires.
Both PRK and LASIK have satisfied clients that would readily provide testimonials about the effectiveness of each procedure. It is up to you to decide whether to have laser eye surgery or not. Seek the advice of your optometrician or ophthalmologist as to what procedure would best fit your unique needs.
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