Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) became popular before Lasik did, and it was widely used for some time before Lasik gained fame as the procedure of choice. Originally, there were some problems with PRK, but they have largely been corrected now. Since the time was taken to correct these issues as much as possible, PRK is still used quite often for individuals whose eye doctors do not feel that Lasik is a good option for them.

How Does PRK Work?

PRK works by removing layers of the cornea to reshape it and offer vision correction. However, not everyone is a good candidate for the procedure. Since it leaves the underlying corneal tissue exposed, a contact lens is put on the eye to use as a bandage for a few days. After that, the cornea is left to heal on its own. The total healing time for PRK can take several months, but the end results are usually very good, with stable vision correction and few complications. PRK is somewhat uncomfortable in the first few days after surgery because the eye must be allowed to heal a bit before the discomfort will fade. In addition, people must be careful not to rub their eyes or get anything in their eyes for a doctor-determined length of time. PRK is a good choice for people who cannot or should not have Lasik.

How Does Lasik Work?

Lasik is a procedure similar to PRK, but there are some significant differences. In Lasik, a flap is actually cut in the cornea and folded back out of the way. After that, a laser is used to reshape the inner corneal tissue, and the flap is put back into place. There have been a few studies indicating that the flap does not heal quickly and that structural integrity of the cornea may be compromised in the long-term, but there is no significant evidence indicating that this happens to most people. An eye that has had Lasik, however, will always be an eye that has had Lasik, and there is no way to return it to its pre-Lasik condition completely. With PRK, there is no flap of corneal tissue to be concerned about.

Which Procedure Is Best For Me?

As for which procedure is the best choice, that often depends very strongly on the individual who will be having the procedure, and is something that the doctor and the patient need to decide together. If a patient's corneas are too thin, Lasik cannot be done, and neither can PRK. However, if a patient has very thick corneas, PRK can be done, but oftentimes Lasik cannot. There are specifications that a doctor will examine in order to make a determination as to whether PRK or Lasik would be the best choice for a particular individual and his or her individual needs and goals after surgery.

For people who are playing active sports or for those going into law enforcement or other jobs where there could be trauma to the eye, PRK is often recommended because there is no corneal flap that could be torn loose in the future. However, that complication is relatively rare, and therefore not a serious concern for most individuals. Overall, a patient should know all of his or her options and work with a trusted eye doctor to determine which procedure will be the best one overall.