Laser Eye Surgery: Q&A
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How to Tell if I Got PRK or Lasik?
Last month, I underwent what I believed to be PRK (at least that's what I wanted). However, there is no mention of PRK or (photo-refractive keratectomy) on the "Operative Report." In the pre-op and post-op paperwork, "PRK" is present.
My mother, who was watching the says that the "VISX" machine that was used for the CustomVue treatment listed the procedure as "LASIK." So, how can I be sure that I received PRK and not LASIK?
The operative report also indicates that "Physician has specified a LASIK Treatment, Superior Flap." I chose PRK to avoid the flap. Please advise. Thanks.
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11 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
PRK-Peter
in Somewhere, IN
+2
How to tell PRK from LASIK
When doing PRK, alcohol is used to loosen the epithelium, or the surface of the cornea, and it is typically placed in a well held securely down on the eye for several seconds (30 second perhaps; the time can vary by surgeon preference). You might have heard someone couting this off at the beginnng of each eye's surgery.
For LASIK, of course, a keratome is used to create a flap, and this can either be done mechanically or with a laser. Either way it makes a noise, whereas the alcohol well...
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LASIK or PRK
The VISX machine is used for both PRK and LASIK. A separate machine is used to make the flap, either an automated keratome blade or a different laser machine called a femtosecond laser.
If only the VISX was used, you had PRK. Also, since PRK ablates the surface of the cornea, the vision is often blurred for the first week after the surgery and the eyes feel scratchy. Also, after PRK, your surgeon will generally leave contact lenses in your eyes for...
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Which did I have, LASIK or PRK?
Both procedures use the same laser. The difference is whether a flap was made for LASIK or if longer healing was required for PRK. Generally, eye doctors can look at your cornea and see if a flap was made. Sometimes, though, it can be very hard to see the flap even with careful examination. If you think back to your procedure, LASIK patients heal overnight and PRK patients generally take 3-5 days to heal and have more discomfort for a much longer period of time.
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The same laser can be used for PRK and LASIK
The same laser can be used for PRK and LASIK. The main difference is that a flap is created for LASIK. This preserves the outer corneal tissue layer (epithelium) and allows for speedier, pain-free recovery. With PRK, this epithelium is removed with special instruments such as a brush or blade. Generally a bandage contact lens is used for 3-5 days post-operatively to help manage the discomfort (pain). The vision also usually takes 1-2 weeks to recover. If...
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New York Ophthalmologist
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How to Tell if I Got PRK or Lasik?
It is unfortunate that this confusion exists. I would first suggest that you ask the question to the surgeon directly. It is also quite easy for another Ophthalmologist to figure out with an eye exam if you are not satisfied with the response.
There are significant early post-operative differences between PRK and LASIK. With LASIK, there is minimal discomfort and downtime and rarely is a bandage contact lens placed upon your eye immediately after the procedure...
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+1
PRK vs LASIK
I think you should ask your surgeon - that's the simplest way to find out. As others have pointed out - a contact lens is usually placed after PRK and there is more discomfort and healing time after PRK. You could also go to another ophthalmologist - if you had LASIK they would be able to see the flap interface if you had LASIK.
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PRK or LASIK
There is a pretty significant difference in your vision following PRK vs. LASIK. After PRK, your vision will typically be very blurry for many days or weeks. There is also pretty significant discomfort for the first couple of days. Following LASIK, most patients see very well the day after surgery and have minimal discomfort. Hope that helps!
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How can I tell whether I had PRK or LASIK
Well, there are two answers. The easiest thing to do would be to call your surgeons office and ask. If you want to figure it out on your own though, here is how to do that:
If you can recall the first three days following your procedure, if you wore a contact lens for comfort for the first few days, the likelihood is you had PRK. You see, both PRK and LASIK are terrific procedures(I had PRK in 1994). LASIK, typically, has a quicker healing time, so comfort and vision...
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LASIK or PRK?
If you're still unsure, just give your doctor a call! I'm sure his or her tech will be happy to look it up for you.
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PRK or LASIK
These two procedures are similar in that the same excimer laser is often utilized for both PRK and LASIK. In LASIK, we often use two lasers, one, a femtosecond laser such as the Intralase, to create the flap and the second, the VISX, to recontour the cornea. The healing and discomfort is different for both procedures. In LASIK, the vision one day after surgery, is often good and one can return to most activities. With PRK, the healing is usually longer as the front surface, the epithelium,...
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If you had PRK it probably hurt for a few days
It is possible that the paperwork was not correct as to what you had, but you should have signed an operative permit and discussed with the doctor the procedure that was performed. If you had PRK, you would have had to wear a contact lens for about 5 days and your vision would be blurry for part of that time. You should have had mild to moderate discomfort for a couple of days.
With LASIK you would have had a flap made first either with a separate laser or with a microkeratome and you...
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Denver Ophthalmologist
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