Find out how LASIK and PRK surgery can help drastically improve your vision.
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) and PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) are two types of refractive eye surgeries that correct vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Both procedures involve your doctor using a laser to reshape the cornea and improve how light enters the eye.
The two procedures differ in how the front layer of the cornea is either removed or elevated prior to reshaping the cornea.
CandidatesNot everyone is a good candidate for corrective eye surgery. The ideal candidate is an adult with a stable vision prescription for at least a year, good overall health, and no underlying eye conditions such as glaucoma or cataracts.
People with thin or irregular corneas, severe dry eyes, or a history of eye infections may not be suitable candidates for the procedure. It’s essential to have a thorough eye exam and consultation with an experienced eye surgeon to determine if LASIK or PRK is right for you.
Our SpecialistLASIK and PRK are outpatient surgeries that usually take less than an hour. LASIK starts with numbing eye drops, after which your surgeon will create a thin flap on your cornea with a microkeratome (a surgical blade) or a femtosecond laser. The flap is lifted, and the surgeon uses an excimer laser to reshape your cornea to the desired shape. The flap is then repositioned and left to heal on its own.
PRK surgery, on the other hand, does not involve creating a flap. Instead, the surgeon removes the epithelial layer of the cornea and then uses an excimer laser to reshape the cornea. The epithelium will grow back over a few days and eventually heal on its own.
LASIK and PRK are both considered permanent because the cornea’s shape is permanently changed after the surgery. However, it’s important to note that age-related changes in the eye, such as presbyopia, may still occur, and you may still need reading glasses.
Your eyes and your vision are unique. There is no one-procedure-fits-all approach when it comes to vision correction. Dr. DeRose and his team take every measure to learn the details about you, your lifestyle, and your vision health before determining which surgery, if any, is suitable for you. Every patient is different and so are their needs.
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