LASIK vs. PRK

In Oklahoma City and Edmond, Oklahoma

 

If it turns out that you are not a good candidate for LASIK, PRK could be an alternative. Dr. Chris Hummel in Oklahoma City can determine your candidacy through a thorough eye examination. PRK is safe and effective and will give you comparable results. As with any surgical procedure, both have their advantages and disadvantages, and it’s a matter of fitting the procedure to the patient.

 

LASIK
Custom LASIK is the most advanced refractive surgery currently available. First, wavefront technology is used to measure and record the exact contours of each of your eyes. No other person on the planet has eyes the same as yours. This information is then used to create your exact treatment plan, and to guide the laser in correcting your vision.

 

Before the laser is applied, a flap is created in the top layer (epithelium) of your cornea and folded back to expose the next level down, the stroma. That’s the level treated for  permanent sculpting to be completed... Then the flap is replaced and quickly heals by itself. The laser treats myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

 

Advantages of LASIK

• Remarkable improvement in vision within twenty four hours
• Mild discomfort lasts only a few a hours after surgery while the epithelial layer (flap) heals
• Very low risk of corneal haze because the surface of the eye is not affected by the laser

Overall LASIK yields faster results and recovery than PRK.

 

Disadvantages of LASIK

• Requires creation of a  corneal flap
• Not appropriate if you have extra thin corneas, extra steep corneas, or very severe refractive error

Read more about LASIK

 

PRK
One of the oldest form of refractive surgery, PRK is well established and is an option  to correct refractive error. Rather than creating a flap and shaping the cornea on the inside, the surface cells are gently scraped off the cornea to expose the stromal layer below. There is no flap created, as is done in LASIK.

 

After treatment, those surface cells will regrow. Like LASIK, PRK can correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.

 

Advantages of PRK

• It can be a good choice  if you have extra thin corneas or are otherwise a poor LASIK candidate

 

Disadvantages of PRK

• It has a longer recovery time, while the corneal cells regrow. Since there is no flap, you need to wear a bandage contact lens for protection, usually for s few days.
• Vision may be blurry for two to three days
• Full improvement in vision can take up to a few months
• Greater risk of corneal haze

 

The long term visual results of LASIK and PRK are comparable. LASIK is normally recommended if you are a good candidate, but PRK is an  option if you are not.

 

Read more about PRK

There’s no way a person can determine whether he or she is a good LASIK candidate. That must be done by a fully-trained LASIK surgeon, after a thorough eye examination, preferably using wavefront technology. Dr. Hummel in Oklahoma City, has long experience doing both Wavefront-Guided LASIK and PRK, and he’s  the specialist to consult with. Please call or email us to set up your free initial consultation.

 

(405)755-6111
Hummel Eye Associates
See Your Best…See Hummel!
4205 McAuley Blvd. #401
Oklahoma City, OK 73120
(405)755-6298

Statewide Toll-Free (800) 522-EYES (3937) 

Offices also in Alva, Ardmore, Woodward, and Yukon
Ask your optometrist for a surgical referral!