What is the difference between PRK and Lasik Eye Surgery?

Clarity of vision and thoughts is a perfect combination when considering life practically. In terms of healthy lifestyle, eyes play a major role in seeing good and prove to be a major source of decision-making. Whether you are working at home, using the phone, addressing official chores or engaged in any deep work involving eye-sight, proper vision has to be maintained. There are many issues which cause impact on eyesight such as improper shape of cornea, lens related issue or any short-sightedness or long-sightedness problem. The whole idea is to identify the underlying cause and if required, surgery should be carried out.

Lasik eye surgery is a definite and permanent solution for treating eyes when cornea needs to be reshaped. Over time, the cornea grows and further affects the vision. Therefore, the painless and bladeless treatment is considered because the sensitive layer within the eye has to be retained while focusing on the surgery.

However, there is another surgery named PRK which has to be compared with Lasik surgery for eye to know the major difference between the two.

Difference Between Lasik and PRK:

1. Procedure:

To start with, PRK is a procedure of eye surgery, wherein numbing eye drops are applied in the eyes of the patient. In the next step, the layer of cornea is removed cautiously with the help of a blade. This process needs to be carefully executed, hence, a medical eyelid holder is placed over the eye to control eye movement and blinking.

On the other hand, in the Lasik eye surgery process, the suction ring is placed on the eye to keep eyes still after using the eye drops for maintaining numbness in the interior region. Generally, due to pressure, the vision may become dark for a while. Unlike PRK, a laser device is used in this surgery to make a thin cut in the cornea after which, it is reshaped with the help of laser. When this procedure gets completed, the thin flap is folded back to its original place. This flap gets sealed when the cut heals after the surgery.

2. Recovery:

When LASIK and PRK surgery are kept on parallel, it can be stated that in the latter case, contact-like bandages will be applied on the affected eye. It can cause irritation and sensitivity in eyes due to light till the bandage is removed. You may also experience blurry vision for some time but once your eyes heal and the bandage is removed, you will achieve your desired vision.

In the case of Lasik Eye Surgery, recovery is quick. The patient will be able to see more clearly than before from the very next day of the eye surgery. In case of any discomfort or irritation in your eyes, the Lasik surgery specialists will recommend lubricating drops to provide comfort.

Which of the two techniques of laser eye surgery is effective?

The bottom-line is both the surgery types, LASIK and PRK are effective to correct vision permanently. The main difference is that it takes less time to recover after Lasik surgery while it can take over a month’s recovery time in the PRK eye surgery. However, it is advisable to contact the best eye specialist with a vast experience to discuss which of the two options will be applicable in your case of vision correction.

Namokshi Jain is an enthusiastic person writing on various domains. She loves to share her experience, information and learnings about eye care,laser eye surgeries, specs removal and related subjects.