Have you been considering a laser eye surgery to improve your vision? While LASIK is one of the most popular vision correction procedures, you may wonder how it differs from other laser eye surgeries like PRK.

Keep reading to learn more about the difference between LASIK and laser eye surgery and whether a vision correction procedure could be right for you.

What is Laser Eye Surgery?

Laser eye surgery is an umbrella term that refers to procedures that use lasers to correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. While other procedures like cataract surgery and minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS) sometimes use lasers, the term laser eye surgery specifically refers to vision correction procedures that utilize laser technology.

Some of the most popular laser eye surgeries include LASIK and PRK. These procedures have many benefits, including enhancing your vision and eliminating the common hassles of visual aids.

Before undergoing laser eye surgery, it’s important to understand how they work, their differences, and the candidacy requirements for each procedure.

What is LASIK?

LASIK is a laser eye surgery that corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. It has helped millions of patients achieve clearer vision and reduce their reliance on glasses and contacts.

The procedure involves creating a small flap in the cornea with a femtosecond laser and folding it back to access the underlying corneal tissue, called the stroma. Then, your LASIK surgeon reshapes this tissue to refract light onto the center of the retina, correcting your refractive errors.

They will complete the procedure by placing the flap back over the eye, acting as a bandage while you heal. Most patients only need one to two days of recovery, with some noticing immediate visual improvements.

While LASIK is the most popular form of vision correction, not everyone is a good candidate. If you still want to enjoy the benefits of LASIK but aren’t suited for the procedure, your eye doctor may recommend PRK.

What is PRK?

PRK is a laser eye surgery that predates LASIK as the very first vision correction procedure. It offers the same visual outcomes as LASIK, correcting refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

However, the difference between the two lies in how the cornea is accessed. Instead of making a corneal flap like with LASIK, your eye surgeon will remove the epithelium or the surface layer of the cornea.

They will then use an excimer laser to reshape the stroma in the same way as LASIK. To complete the procedure, your eye surgeon will place a special bandage contact lens on your eye to protect it as it heals.

Because the epithelium needs around a week to regenerate, healing times for PRK tend to be longer than LASIK.

Which Laser Eye Surgery is Right for Me?

To determine whether you are a good candidate for LASIK or PRK, you will need to attend a consultation with your eye doctor at Focal Point Vision. They will conduct a comprehensive eye exam that includes measuring your refractive errors and corneas, discussing your specific visual goals, and reviewing your medical history.

Typically, good candidates for both procedures:

Are 18 years or older
Are not pregnant or nursing
Have had stable vision for at least one year
Do not have eye conditions like glaucoma or cataracts
Do not have autoimmune conditions that could affect the healing process, like lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome, or rheumatoid arthritis
Have realistic expectations about the outcomes of laser eye surgery

However, candidacy requirements for LASIK tend to be stricter than candidacy requirements for PRK. You may be better suited for PRK over LASIK if:

You Have Severe Dry Eye

Some patients experience dry eye symptoms after LASIK. This is often due to the nerves affected in the creation of the corneal flap.

While this side effect tends to be temporary and mild for most LASIK patients, if you have severe dry eye, it could worsen your condition.

You Have Thin Corneas

An essential requirement for LASIK candidacy is having corneas that are thick enough to safely make the corneal flap needed for the procedure. Because PRK does not involve creating a flap in the cornea, it is safer for patients with thin corneas.

Your eye doctor will measure the thickness of your corneas during your laser eye surgery consultation.

You Play Contact Sports

If you play contact sports like boxing, you may be better suited for PRK than LASIK. Potential injuries sustained during play could dislodge the corneal flap made during LASIK, leading to visual complications.

Ultimately, your eye doctor will make a determination about which procedure is best for you based on the findings of your consultation. If you are not a good candidate for either LASIK or PRK, they may also recommend a different type of refractive surgery like RLE or EVO ICL.

Are you ready to find out if a laser eye surgery like LASIK or PRK could be your key to crystal-clear vision? Schedule an appointment at Focal Point Vision in San Antonio, TX, today!

What is the Difference Between LASIK and Laser Eye Surgery?