What is the difference between prk and lasik surgery

The corneal flap is then lifted and a laser is applied to the underlying corneal bed to reshape the cornea. The flap is then put back into its original position and allowed to heal naturally over the next several days. Instead, the fine outer layer of the cornea called the epithelium is removed to expose the underlying cornea to allow the same laser application as with LASIK.

The removed epithelium will re-grow naturally. This usually takes about 1 week. The actual laser time is usually less than 1 minute per eye. However, you can expect to spend up to 30 minutes in the surgery suite, which allows for prep and recovery time. There is a slight difference in the initial discomfort after the procedure, and the speed with which better vision can be achieved. Many patients report that their visual acuity is dramatically improved within a few hours after surgery, although this continues to refine over the coming months.

Peak clarity is normally achieved in under three months. The reality is, laser What gives? Zip Code. We use cookies to ensure you the best experience. LASIK to decide which type of laser eye surgery would work best for you. Both PRK and LASIK can be used to treat refractive errors in vision, including astigmatism , nearsightedness myopia , farsightedness hyperopia and presbyopia , a condition common after age 40 that can make it harder to see when doing close-up tasks like reading.

Learn how PRK photorefractive keratectomy compares to LASIK laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis in terms of cost, surgical technique, recovery time, pain, complications and side effects. This guide also covers PRK vs. LASIK for military, law enforcement and other professions that may require excellent vision.

Price is one factor to consider when comparing types of eye surgery. Keep in mind that costs can vary widely based on the geographic location and the surgeon. For both procedures, the surgeon will put anesthetic eye drops in your eye and use an eye speculum to hold your eyelids open during surgery.

There are some differences as well. LASIK in terms of surgical technique:. In LASIK, the doctor uses the laser to create a flap in the cornea to access and reshape the cornea to correct your vision. The primary difference between PRK and LASIK has to do with how the surgeon gains access to the corneal lens prior to reshaping it with an excimer laser.

In LASIK, a thin flap is made in the outer layer of the cornea and the flap is lifted to expose the inner cornea, the stroma, and replaced once the inner cornea is reshaped. During PRK, the outer surface of the cornea, the epithelium, is carefully removed by the surgeon before reshaping the inner cornea and then the epithelium regrows after surgery.