Choosing between PRK and LASIK

Calgary, Alberta

How do I decide if PRK, Epi-LASIK or LASIK is right for me?

If you are a good candidate for laser vision correction, Dr. Anderson Penno will discuss with you what your options are at your complimentary evaluation.  If you meet all the criteria and wish to proceed your choices are as follows:

1. Choose between PRK, Epi-LASIK, and LASIK

The long term results of PRK, Epi-LASIK and LASIK are equally good.  The main differences are that with LASIK a corneal flap is made, the flap is lifted, the laser is applied to the underlying tissue, and the flap is replaced.  Creating the LASIK flap allows for more rapid recovery of vision and less discomfort, however creating a flap carries a slightly higher risk than PRK or Epi-LASIK. Most people are back to their usual activities including driving and work within a day or two following LASIK.

In PRK the surface epithelium is removed and the laser is applied directly onto the corneal surface.  In general, PRK carries a slightly lower risk for significant complications than LASIK, however if both eyes are treated with PRK on the same surgery day then approximately one week is needed for recovery before returning to work and driving. There are some people who may not qualify for LASIK due to thin corneas or other factors, but who may be well suited to PRK or Epi-LASIK .  Dr. Anderson Penno will discuss your options in detail at your complimentary evaluation.

Epi-LASIK is a surface procedure that uses an Epi-keratome, also called a separator, to remove the surface epithelial layer.  The laser is applied directly to the corneal surface.  Epi-LASIK carries a lower risk than LASIK and heals somewhat faster than PRK.  If both eyes are treated on the same day approximately 4 to 6 days are needed for recovery before returning to work and driving.

With either PRK, Epi-LASIK, or LASIK you will need reading glasses in your mid-forties or if you are already wearing reading glasses you may wish to consider monovision correction which is discussed below.  With either PRK or LASIK there is a small chance that you may experience some night vision changes.  In most cases the night vision will return to pre-operative levels once the the healing is complete.  With any laser vision correction there is a chance that the eyes may be more prone to dryness.  For people who have dry eyes before surgery, laser vision correction may cause a permanent increase in dry eye symptoms.  Dr. Anderson Penno will discuss these and other potential side effects with you in detail at your complimentary evaluation.

2. Choose between Custom and Standard treatments

Custom or standard laser treatments can be done with either PRK or Epi-LASIK.  A standard treatment will correct the basic sphere and astigmatism in a similar way to glasses or contact lenses.  The CustomVue treatment uses the individual variations (abberations) measured by the WaveScan Abberometer to create a customized treatment for each individual eye.  If you are a candidate for CustomVue, it is likely to give you a better result. 

3. If you over the age of 40 you may wish to consider Monovision

People in their forties undergo an age related change in focus called presbyopia.  As a result of this natural change, those who wear glasses will need to consider a bifocal or progressive lens or may begin to take their glasses off to read if they are nearsighted.  Those who wear contact lenses will need to wear reading glasses over contact lenses or may already have tried monovision.  Those people who never have needed corrective lenses for distance will need to start wearing readers as well.  Most pharmacies, grocery stores, and variety stores have a large selection of readers because unless you have a progressive lens or bifocal you are likely to need them sometime in your forties. 

With contact lenses or laser vision correction one eye can be corrected for distance and one eye for near.  This is called monovision and works well for many people.  Monovision is intended to give people a wider range of usable vision at all distances without having to put readers on.  Some patients may notice a slight reduction in distance vision compared to having both eyes fully corrected for distance, and some patients may notice a slight reduction in near vision for fine tasks such as threading a needle.  Some people can not adjust to monovision correction.  If you are in your forties and wear contact lenses, a contact lens monovision trial is the best way to find out if monovision is for you.  For those who wear glasses it can be demonstrated with lenses in the optometrist or ophthalmologist's office.  Dr. Anderson Penno will discuss monovision in more detail at your complimentary evaluation if you are a candidate for monovision correction.

Dr. Anderson Penno serving Calgary, Alberta combines over ten years of LASIK, Epi-LASIK and PRK experience, today's most advanced technology, and customized care to give you your best possible vision. Please call or email our office today to schedule your Epi-LASIK/PRK evaluation today.

At Western Laser Eye Associates, we focus on quality care.