Lasik Vs PRK for Thinner Cornea and Higher Prescription?

A corneal thickness of 520  µm is normal and is most likely fine for LASIK with a -6.00 with no astigmatism. 

 

The reason that someone who is a candidate for LASIK but would choose PRK instead has to do with types of activity. Individuals who participate in aggressive contact sports sometimes choose to have PRK to eliminate the possibility of flap complications due to contact sports.  If you are at risk for severe eye trauma, PRK is the way to go.  -6.00 should be fine for PRK. 

 

However, it sounds like you are a great LASIK candidate.

We feel that PRK is a much better option for you.  Here is why. Because you are young your prescription may change a bit into your 30’s, having PRK will give you the opportunity to have an enhancement 5, 10 or even 15 years from your initial treatment.  If you had LASIK and need an enhancement 5,10 or 15 years later you must do PRK anyway.

Secondly, if you are very active and participate in sports, after LASIK there is  always the possibility of dislodging the flap (which has serious visiual consequences).   And last but not least a cornea of 520 in our opinion is a bit too thin to do LASIK, you risk a small chance of corneal ectasia in the future. 


Your “higher prescription”  should not worry you for the PRK procedure because we have done PRK for patients as high as minus 9 with excellent results. One caveat we routinely use Mitomycin for PRK patients to prevent corneal haze again with good outcomes.  

Good luck, you only have 2 eyes.

 

It is important that you feel comfortable with the procedure and the surgeon who performs the procedure.  Either procedure can yield excellent results for your prescription, and with modern technology, including the iLASIK or CustomVue PRK, 98% of patients achieving 20/20 or better vision one year after surgery.  In iLASIK, a thin flap is created with a laser using gas bubbles and the strength is less altered than in older LASIK procedures.  While you think you prescription is high, it actually falls in the moderate category and your cornea, is normal, not that thin.  

One cannot really determine what is best for you and your eyes without a thorough examination of the shape of your eyes.  Side effects are possible with either procedure but speak with your doctor to determine the best procedure for you!