What is the difference between prk and lasik?Jesusa
Basically the only difference between PRK and LASIK is the approach to get to the cornea to do the ablation for the appropriate correction.With LASIK, a flap is created, 130-160 microns thick. Once this flap has been created, the laser is able to make the appropriate corrections as determined by preop measurements.With PRK, there is no flap created. Instead, my surgeon used this little machine that reminded me of the rubber tooth polisher at the dentist (yah, funny, I know) to remove the corneal epithelium only, about 30-50 microns thick. Once that was done, the laser did its thing, a bandage contact lens was placed, and I went home to sleep.Healing times are quite different between the two. With LASIK, patients typically have greatly improved vision in about 24 hours...much less pain and discomfort, and the cornea is able to heal a lot faster.With PRK, I had good immediate vision in the office...it got cloudier and a lot more uncomfortable for about 4 days while the epithelium was growing back.Think of it like this: you get a paper cut = LASIK...a scraped knee = PRK. A paper cut heals faster and is a bit less painful. Scraped knee heals more slowly and hurts more :)
Eduardo
Lasik eye surgery involves creating a corneal flap and then restoring it after laser treatment. With PRK, there's no flap creation. The surgeon simply removes the outermost skin of the cornea called the epithelium, and then uses the laser to reshape the cornea in the same way as Lasik. This epithelial layer of skin that is removed takes 3-5 days to grow back. During this time the eyes are protected with contact lenses. PRK surgery also has a more painful and difficult healing time than Lasik. I guess working at a laser-eye clinic my first year in university comes in handy! :)
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