PRK / Lasek Dallas

What is Laser Vision Correction?

Laser Vision Correction is a procedure performed to sculpt the Cornea and treat farsightedness, nearsightedness and/or astigmatism. The most advanced and most commonly performed type of Laser Vision Correction today is Intra-LASIK (iLASIK).

However, not every patient is a good candidate for Intra-LASIK. These same patients may make great candidates for either PRK or LASEK. These two procedures are considered Advanced Surface Ablations as they do not involve the creation of a LASIK flap. This eliminates the risk of a complication during LASIK flap creation.

What type of patient should consider PRK or Lasek?

The following patients may make better candidates for PRK or LASEK as opposed to Intra-LASIK:

• Patients with Thin Corneas
• Patients with Anterior Basement Membrane disease
• Patients with a history of Recurrent Corneal erosion
• Patients with overly steep or flat corneas
• Patients with small Corneal scars that are not from Herpes eye disease
• Patients with dry eyes

What is PRK?

PRK (Photo Refractive Keratoplasty) is a Laser Vision Correction technique that does not require the creation of either a FLAP or a CAP.

The steps of the procedure are as follows:

• After applying numbing eye drops, the Surgeon uses either an Excimer laser or a device called an Amoils brush to remove the central part of the corneal epithelium (the outer layer of the cornea).
• This provides access to the stroma (the middle layer of the cornea).
• An Excimer laser is then used to sculpt the cornea by focusing a cool, ultraviolet beam on the cornea.
• A Bandage contact lens is applied to help with healing and comfort.
• Over the first few days, healthy epithelial tissue grows over the treatment zone. The eye may be sensitive to light and uncomfortable for the first few days.
• The bandage contact lens is removed after 4-7 days. The healing process continues for about a month. Most patients have useful vision after a few days and excellent vision by 1 month.

What is Lasek?

LASEK (Laser Assisted Epithelial Keratomileusis) is a cross between PRK and LASIK. It is sometimes called “no-cut” LASEK. It is basically LASIK with no flap.

The steps of the procedure are as follows:

• With the use of numbing eye drops, the Surgeon applies a special diluted alcohol solution on the corneal epithelium (the outer layer of the cornea).
• This loosens the epithelium from the stroma (the middle layer of the cornea) , which is then removed in the form of a thin cap.
• An Excimer laser is then used to sculpt the cornea by focusing a cool, ultraviolet beam on the cornea.
• A Bandage contact lens is applied to help with healing and comfort.
• The cap of Epithelial tissue is placed on the cornea, along with a Bandage contact lens to help with healing.
• Over the first few days, healthy epithelial tissue grows under the cap filling in the zone that was treated. The eye may be sensitive to light and uncomfortable for the first few days.
• The bandage contact lens is removed after 4-7 days. The healing process continues for about a month. Most patients have useful vision after a few days and excellent vision by 1 month.

Which Provides Better Results: LASIK, PRK OR LASEK?

Clinical studies have shown the results at one month for LASIK, PRK and LASEK are nearly identical. The difference is that with LASIK, the recovery is quick. With PRK and LASEK, the recovery is slower. However, PRK and LASEK have the added advantage of not having a flap.