PRK (Photo-Refractive Keratectomy)

Photorefractive Keratectomy is a surgical procedure utilizing the excimer laser to reshape the human cornea to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. The skin of the cornea is removed in order to correct your refractive error by removing a small portion of the inner layer of the cornea.

LASIK (Laser In situ Keratomileusis)

LASIK , similar to PRK, utilizes the excimer laser to reshape the inner layer of the cornea of the human eye to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. The difference between LASIK and PRK is that in LASIK the outer skin is peeled back by making a small flap. This flap is folded back permitting the surgeon to treat the inner layer of the cornea with the excimer laser correcting the patient's refractive error. Following the treatment the skin is folded back into position where it is allowed to heal in place.

Advantages of LASIK include:

• Faster visual recovery
• Rapid healing time
• Less risk of scarring
• Less discomfort
• Second eye is treated sooner than PRK