PRK Vs. Lasik

It may be hard to believe these days, when everything is "LASIK this" and "LASIK that," but PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) used to be the most common refractive surgery procedure. Both are grouped under the umbrella "laser eye surgery," but each is a little different when it comes to advantages and disadvantages. LASIK patients have less discomfort and obtain good vision more quickly (with PRK improvement is gradual and over a few days or even... more

I am a believer that these two procedures are equally safe provided, obviously, that they are performed well and that patient selection is appropriate. Some patients with thin corneas, for example, are better candidates for PRK. Others, with very high prescriptions, are more suited for LASIK. Performing either one on the "wrong" patient can lead to side effects, including haze. This fact emphasizes the pivotal importance of choosing a surgeon that has the integrity to choose... more

Corneal haze has long been a complication of PRK. With the newer lasers and medications used during and after surgery to modulate healing it is much less common than it has been. The newer lasers create a smoother ablation and this substantially reduces the risk of complications. Most surgeons now use a drug called Mitomycin that reduces the chance of haze substantially. Patients can do their part as well. Avoid pregnanacy for the first few months... more

LASIK has less chance of haze post operatively. iLASIK, which is the most advanced LASIK technology has the best chance of superior vision as it is the most accurate and precise procedure.

Hazy vision can be from many things including swelling, infiltrates, refractive error, internal eye problems and corneal haze. Corneal haze is a medical term where the clear cornea becomes somewhat opaque and this can interfere with vision in some cases. This type of haze was common after PRK due to the healing response but is much less likely due to newer and better lasers and medical treatment after the PRK procedure. A major change is the usage of Mitomycin C off label to reduce post... more

"Hazy vision" does not necessarily equal corneal haze. As the two previous MDs have already noted, corneal haze (a loss of clarity of the cornea, the front part of the eye) can occur with any corneal surgery, though it is extremely rare with LASIK, and very rare now with PRK thanks to the adjunctive (intraoperative) use of a medication called Mitomycin-C. Corneal haze is a euphamism for scarring.Hazy vision, on the other hand, might have several possible causes post-LASIK.... more

Haze is now less common withthe advent of new laser technologies and the use of mitomycin C. PRK has the advantage of being a safer procedure than LASIK. There are no flap complications, less dry eye problems, and less night vision problems. LASIK does offer a much faster return to vision.

Haze or a slight clouding of the cornea, or the outer surface of the eye, is a complication more commonly associated following PRK. With newer lasers and medicines to prevent haze, this is not commonly seen in 2008. The risk of haze to the cornea is less often noted with LASIK. However, it is important to discuss the risks as well as the benefits of these procedures with your laser vision specialist to determine which procedure is best for you!