Siems Advanced Lasik & Eye Center Intralase Bladeless All Laser Lasik Surgery

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Questions To Ask Your Doctor

The Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance's Questions for Your Doctor

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+	LASIK Surgery
+	PRK / LASEK
+	Cataract / Clear Lens Extraction
+	Implantable Contact Lens
+	Intacs (keratoconus treatment)
+	Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery
+	Pterygium Surgery
+	General Eye Exam

In contrast to Lasik, PRK does not involve the creation of a flap deeper than the surface epithelial cells. PRK is commonly known as a surface treatment. PRK can broadly be categorized into 2 types: epithelial wasting and epithelial preserving. Traditional PRK involves the removal of the central surface epithelial cells either mechanically or by laser. There is no attempt made to preserve and replace these cells. The exposed underlying corneal tissue is then reshaped with an excimer laser as is the case with Lasik. Once finished, the remaining peripheral epithelial cells must grow to cover the induced surface defect. Recently, epithelial preserving PRK (usually referred to as Lasek) has been promoted as an advancement in surface treatment.

PRK

Lasik

With Lasek, a thin "flap" of epithelial cells is created. The flap is moved to the side and the reshaping process with an excimer laser proceeds. Once finished, the flap of epithelial cells is gently replaced. Theoretically, this should expedite recovery time. Common to both types of surface treatment are disadvantages that include: delayed visual recovery, increased post-operative discomfort, corneal haze, need to repeat entire procedure if an enhancement is required. Although preferred by some Ophthalmologists as a safe(r) alternative to Lasik, surface based treatments remain significantly less popular than Lasik.

	LASIK	PRK
Best Candidates	Useful in most patients, particularly those with moderate to severe myopia	Patients with mild to moderate myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism
Pain after operation	None to minimal for about 24 hours	Mild to moderate, for 24 to 48 hours
Time frame for seeing clearly after operation	Within 24 hours	Three days to four weeks
Days off work	1day	1 to 3 days
Post Op Medications	1-2 weeks	4-8 weeks, possibly more
Functional Visual Recovery	24 hours	3 to 5 days
Optimum Visual Recovery	1 to 4 weeks	3 weeks to 2 months
Risk of Complications	Low (More Surgeon Dependent)	Low (Less Surgeon Dependent)
Advantages	Rapid recovery; little pain; long term stability; lack of scarring; able to repeat procedure if necessary; effective on higher levels of myopia	Safe; effective; no weakening of the cornea; computer-controlled and thus less dependent on surgeon's skill
Disadvantages	Requires skilled surgeon