PRK No Better than LASIK with Dry Eye Risks

According to a study out of Stanford, as well as clinical experience by ophthalmologists, PRK is no better than LASIK when it comes to the risk of dry eye syndrome. The study says the conventional wisdom has always said those who already have dry eyes may be better off getting PRK than LASIK because the side effect of developing dry eyes post eye surgery is lower with PRK. However, that is apparently not the case.

Patients of both LASIK and PRK give the same ratings to their post-operative eye dryness. However, in each case the symptoms disappeared within a year. Another side effect each procedure has, according to researchers, is the feeling of having a foreign body within the eye.

The differences between the two procedures, and why patients may seek them out, are still pretty stark. For one, LASIK causes less pain and has a quicker recovery period than does PRK. LASIK patients also have their vision clear up within the first 24 hours, compared to several weeks for PRK patients to achieve the same level of clarity.

Some patients will undergo PRK because they aren't good candidates for LASIK, for example, if their corneas are too thin. However, some will choose PRK because it is much cheaper than LASIK is. In the end, the best thing you can do is talk to your ophthalmologist about your concerns.

If you would like to find out more about the differences between PRK and LASIK, please contact an experienced eye doctor in your area today.

LASIK Risks

Like any surgical procedure, LASIK carries certain benefits and risks. When performed by an experienced LASIK surgeon, complications are very unlikely. Experienced eye surgeons know how to carefully screen candidates for the surgery, and they can perform the procedure precisely.

Some of the rare but serious risks of LASIK include:

• Overcorrection and undercorrection: When your LASIK surgery removes more or less corneal tissue than planned, over or undercorrection may occur.
• Corneal flap complications: Some possible flap problems include wrinkling of the flap, inflammation beneath the flap, and bulging of the cornea.
• Astigmatism: If corneal tissue is not precisely removed, LASIK can actually cause astigmatism.

Although these complications sound scary, they do not happen often and they can typically be corrected. You can help prevent these problems by following your eye surgeon's postoperative instructions, as these guidelines are meant to encourage successful healing and recovery.

Another important way to prevent LASIK complications is to choose your eye surgeon carefully. Look for someone with experience in the procedure, and ask about his or her complication rate. You should feel confident that your eye surgeon has the education, experience and knowledge to perform LASIK safely and effectively.

To learn more about LASIK, please contact an experienced eye surgeon in your area.

LASIK Alternatives

Not everyone is a candidate for LASIK. The physical structure of your eye or your unique vision error may have ruled out LASIK as an option. If this is the case, there are several other refractive eye surgery procedures that, like LASIK, will allow you to reduce or eliminate your dependence on corrective lenses.

Some of the alternatives to LASIK include:

• LASEK
• PRK
• EpiLASIK
• Crystalens

These procedures address the LASIK candidacy issue of thin corneas. In the LASIK procedure, an incision is made in the cornea to create a hinged flap, which is lifted and folded back so that the corneal tissue beneath may be reshaped, to correct a vision error. These procedures do not create a corneal flap.

 There is no way to know whether LASIK or another procedure is right for you without visiting an experienced, knowledgeable eye surgeon. The eye surgeon will ask you about your vision, your health and your goals for your vision. Your eyes will be examined. Then the doctor will be able to make a determination of all the procedures that will work for you.

To find out if LASIK or another refractive procedure is right for you, please contact an experienced eye surgeon in your area.

Taking the Next Step toward LASIK

If you are interested in LASIK, it is important to consult an experienced eye surgeon and learn everything you can about what to expect from the procedure.

During you initial appointments, you should explain your eye health history to your LASIK surgeon, including whether you have any eye health problems. You should also list any medications you are currently taking.

During your initial LASIK consultation, and at any point in your care, your eye surgeon should provide opportunities for you to ask questions. LASIK is a major decision involving surgical benefits and risks you must weigh. Some questions you should ask include:

• Am I a good candidate for LASIK?
• What are the possible complications?
• How likely are these complications?
• What happens if I experience a complication?
• What should I expect for surgery day and the recovery?

An important part of moving forward with LASIK is learning about the risks and benefits of the procedure, as well as the results that are realistically possible. Your decision to move forward with LASIK should be an informed decision.

To learn more about LASIK, please contact an experienced eye doctor in your area.