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Are you searching for a vision correction procedure because you found out you’re not a good candidate for LASIK? PRK and LASEK are similar procedures but are usually better for patients who are not candidates for LASIK.
LASEK is a laser eye surgery that does not create a corneal flap. PRK is similar to LASIK. The fundamental difference lies in the surgical technique used to help correct your vision. PRK involves removing the epithelial layer from your eye, to allow the surgeon unrestricted access to your cornea.
The surgeon will then adjust the cornea so that you have the clear vision results that you’ve always wanted.
PRK is a safe procedure that takes as little as 10 minutes to complete. Before any tools are used, you will be given numbing drops to ensure your eye is desensitized throughout the procedure. Patients do not experience discomfort during the corneal adjustment.
During LASIK surgery, a surgeon uses a laser to reshape the cornea. The cornea is the front part of your eye.
LASIK can correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and even astigmatism. Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is an irregular shape. The cornea is supposed to be shaped like a basketball, making it a uniformly round shape. But with astigmatism, it’s closer to a football and not as round as it should be.
This causes blurry and distorted vision. Patients who undergo LASIK usually no longer need to wear glasses or contacts anymore after the procedure, even for people with astigmatism. LASIK is a permanent procedure because it fixes your refractive errors for good!
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Am I a candidate for LASEK or PRK?
Unfortunately, PRK surgery isn’t suitable for all candidates and some restrictions apply when assessing eligibility. Patients with an irregularly shaped cornea won’t get the results they desire from PRK. This is particularly the case for those who have some eye conditions and diseases that distort the cornea.
Those with glaucoma or advanced cataracts are similarly ineligible for PRK surgery, due to both the nature of the procedure and the healing process afterwards.
If you are pregnant or nursing, we recommend waiting until you have finished nursing before considering any eye/laser treatments.
Some other medical conditions may also exclude you as a candidate. If you’re uncertain, please reach out to our team in Los Angeles for advice before scheduling PRK treatments.
You might be a good candidate for LASEK or PRK if:
Your vision is stable and it hasn’t gotten any worse in the last year
Your corneas are healthy
You don’t have eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, or keratoconus
You’re over 18 years old and in good health
You’re not currently pregnant or nursing
How does LASEK work?
During the procedure, your surgeon will provide you with numbing eye drops. This ensures you won’t feel any discomfort while having LASEK! You will focus on a blinking red light as the surgeon works.
You won’t have to stay still for long, and your surgeon will talk you through the procedure. Dr. Lin is one of the first surgeons in the Los Angeles area to offer LASEK to patients!
Blurry Today, Crystal Clear After - See How 300,000+ Americans Like You Woke Up “Glasses Free”
I had my SMILE eye procedure done at IQ laser vision. The staff there was very friendly and knowledgeable. They made the process very easy by guiding me through every step up to my procedure. I can now perfectly see clearly with my 20/20 vision and no longer need to wear my glasses anymore. If you are planning to get laser surgery. I highly recommend SMILE at IQ laser vision.
Tony L
Verified Review
The brave step forward has resulted in both of us not needing glasses anymore!
Thank you for the wonderful experience, IQ Laser Vision. Finally, no more worries about falling asleep by accident, and no need to put on contact lenses before applying a face mask. I can even swim without Alan nagging me to change my glasses quickly. But still, thanks to him for helping me with eye drops without complaints this week.
Hallie Wang
Verified Review
Mrs. Dinco said, “I had LASIK with Dr. Lin in 2018, and as soon as my son turned 18, I brought him here. It is the ultimate trust you can have in a doctor when you bring your child back.”
Eastvale Family
Verified Review
I’m seeing 20/15!!! It’s the simplest procedure in the world. One of the things that got me really comfortable with getting the surgery done was the doctor told me that it’s basically impossible to go blind. I 100% recommend this place. IQ Laser Vision literally changed my life. I’m as happy as I can be right now.
Graciemontes
Verified Review
IQ Laser Vision has been incredible. Just helping setting everything up and giving me the opportunity to have a life-changing experience. I’m really looking forward to what’s to come and just how my life is going to be changed on the field and in my day to day life. IQ Laser Vision has been incredible and I can’t say enough.
Jimmy Nguyen
Verified Review
In short, I don’t like things on my eye or around my eye. I like to play sports, I like to play basketball and I like to record songs. When I record, the headphones push on my face while making the process uncomfortable and hard to see. LASIK has been a great convenience to my life. Thank you Dr. Lin and IQ Laser Vision!
During PRK, you’ll have the epithelial layer completely removed. This gives the surgeon access to the cornea.
A specialized contact lens is placed over the cornea to protect it as it heals. Unlike LASIK, there is no flap created during PRK, which makes the procedure better for patients who may have naturally thinner corneas or those who are not qualified for LASIK.
The existing corneal tissue from the epithelium that stays on the eye acts as a natural bandage for the area treated.
Frequently Asked Questions About PRK & LASEK
LASEK and PRK at IQ Laser Vision have a lot of benefits. You won’t need to wear glasses or contact lenses anymore, which means you’ll save money and a lot of hassle.
Your vision will be clear, and your corneas will be stronger. When you choose LASEK or PRK instead of LASIK, you won’t have any of the potential complications that might come with creating a corneal flap.
LASEK and PRK are also good options for patients who might not qualify for LASIK. If you have a thin cornea, a high prescription, or a cornea that’s irregularly shaped, LASEK could be a better choice for you.
In general, LASEK and PRK are very safe procedures. This is especially true when you work the skilled surgeons at IQ Laser Vision.
But risks are part of any medical procedure. Potential LASEK and PRK risks include:
Dry eyes. After LASEK and PRK, you might experience dry eyes for a few weeks as your eyes heal.
Glare or halos. Laser eye surgeries can sometimes cause glare or halos as you recover.
Foreign object sensation. Foreign object sensation is the feeling that something is in your eye. LASEK and PRK patients may experience this sensation while recovering.
Corneal haze. Some patients may develop blurred vision from extra scar tissue. This is a rare side effect of LASEK and PRK surgery.
Increased healing period, especially compared to LASIK
How long it takes you to recover after having LASEK or PRK depends on your age, how active you are, and more. Most patients are able to drive themselves to their follow-up appointment the day after having LASEK.
With LASEK or PRK, most patients can drive 3-5 days after their procedure. It can take three to six months to fully heal after PRK.
On the day of your procedure, you’ll need somebody to drive you home. You cannot drive yourself home after you’ve had LASEK or PRK.
Your doctor will tell you to rest, wear sunglasses outside to avoid harming your cornea and use eye drops so your eyes don’t get infected. You may feel discomfort and experience blurred vision for a few days after surgery.
This is only temporary and will usually go away on its own.
Yes. You will have both eyes treated at the same time when you have PRK or LASEK. Treating both eyes at the same time leads to a faster recovery and lets you enjoy your crystal-clear vision in less time!
You might need glasses after PRK or LASEK surgery for certain activities, such as reading. But in most cases, your vision will be improved so much that you don’t need glasses or contacts anymore.
Your vision will probably change later in life. But that’s not because of your laser eye surgery.
Later in life, you may develop presbyopia, meaning it becomes harder to focus on objects that are up close, or cataracts, which occur when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy.
Cataracts are most likely to develop in your forties or fifties. Laser surgery simply gives you clear vision, so you don’t need glasses or contact lenses.
LASEK or PRK will not prevent the development of future eye conditions.
Are you looking for a way to achieve visual freedom from visual aids like glasses and contact lenses?
Although the most popular laser vision correction procedure is LASIK, it’s not the only one.
Even if you find out that you’re not a LASIK candidate, it doesn’t have to mean you can’t have a vision correction procedure. You may not realize that there are other procedures out there that IQ Laser Vision offers, like PRK.
Keep reading to learn more about PRK, the recovery timeline, and if you could be a good candidate for this vision correction procedure!
What is PRK?
PRK is a laser vision correction procedure that was developed before LASIK. Although LASIK is the most popular vision correction procedure and one of the first ones people think of when correcting their vision, it wasn’t the first.
PRK was the first vision correction procedure that has several similarities to LASIK. Like LASIK, it involves correcting refractive errors, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, by permanently reshaping the cornea.
However, it’s here that the similarities end. LASIK achieves this by creating a flap in the cornea. With PRK, there is no flap created, making it more suitable for candidates with thinner corneas or dry eye syndrome.
Instead of creating a flap, PRK removes the epithelium from the cornea. The epithelium is the cornea’s outer layer. The epithelium regenerates as you recover from PRK.
Who is a Good Candidate for PRK?
To undergo PRK, you must qualify as a good candidate for the vision correction procedure. Some of these factors include:
Being at least 18 years old
Having a stable prescription that hasn’t changed in at least a year or more
Being in good health
Not having any pre-existing eye conditions like cataracts
Having a prescription within the treatment range
The only way to know if you’re a good candidate for PRK is to schedule a consultation at IQ Laser Vision!
The PRK Recovery Timeline and What to Expect
If you’re going to get PRK, it’s essential to know what the recovery timeline is like and what to expect. Another one of the key differences between LASIK and PRK is it takes longer to recover after PRK.
You’re definitely not looking at spending months in bed after having the procedure, but because your surgeon removes the epithelium, it takes some time to regenerate. Even though the epithelium needs time to heal, you can still look forward to seeing a visual improvement quite quickly!
Here’s what a basic PRK recovery timeline might look like.
The First Few Days After PRK
During the first few days after having PRK, you will be in the early stages of recovery. The healing process will have just begun, and how well you respond now will impact the rest of your recovery.
You may experience minor discomfort, itchiness, or a desire to rub your eyes. Do not rub your eyes, as this could make it much more challenging to heal or lead to other concerns.
Make sure that you follow the instructions given to you by your eye doctor and use your medicated eye drops as directed. You’ll have to attend a follow-up appointment with your eye surgeon to ensure that your eyes have begun healing and haven’t had any complications or infections.
If you find that your eyes cause you discomfort, you can take over-the-counter pain medication. You can also do other things to ensure your recovery is as smooth as possible.
For the first day or two after having PRK, do your best to avoid doing anything that might cause eye strain. This may be as simple as not using your computer or any digital devices for a day or two.
You’ll also need to wear your eye shields according to the directions given by your eye doctor. Your eye shields are a necessary component of the healing process after PRK. You’ll need to wear them to protect against any accidental rubbing that might occur while you’re sleeping.
Just as your shields will protect your eyes, you need to use the eye drops prescribed by your eye doctor as directed. These drops help prevent infection and improve your chances of proper healing. They can also help with feelings of discomfort due to dryness and itching.
One Week to Six Months After PRK
In the first week or two after having PRK, you may notice additional side effects like sensitivity to light, poor vision at night, and the occasional halo around light sources. The first month is when most people in the PRK recovery timeline begin to notice the most significant changes in their vision.
Keep in mind that these side effects are temporary and should go away on their own. In the weeks and months after your procedure, you’ll continue to see your eye doctor for follow-up appointments.
These appointments are a crucial component of your recovery, so it’s essential that you attend all of them. After about six months, you’ll notice that any ongoing issues with your vision, such as dry eyes or itchiness, begin to disappear.
Your vision should have already stabilized, leaving you with the ability to see clearly and without the need for visual aids. There’s a chance that your eye doctor will want to see you during this time, but it may just be to check that you’re happy with your results.
Improving Your PRK Recovery Timeline
It’s good to protect your eyes wherever and whenever you can to help ensure you get the most out of your PRK recovery timeline. Doing this can be as simple as always wearing sunglasses outside, no matter what the weather.
Sunglasses can protect your eyes from particles like dust, dirt, and allergens. They can also reduce glare and exposure to wind.
You may also consider carrying artificial tears or eye drops in your bag or purse to keep moments of irritation and discomfort at bay. If you have dry eyes, use artificial tears instead of rubbing your eyes.
Rubbing your eyes could cause damage and slow down the healing process during your PRK recovery timeline. Finally, to ensure that your PRK recovery timeline goes according to plan, the best thing you can do is see your eye doctor for all follow-up appointments.
These appointments will ensure that your healing process is going smoothly. They’ll only know you’re recovering correctly after PRK if they see your eyes and discuss your recovery.
Ready to take the next step on your visual journey? Schedule an appointment at IQ Laser Vision in Los Angeles, CA, and find out if a LASIK alternative like PRK could be right for you!
What happens during a complimentary PRK consultation in Los Angeles?
You can visit your refractive surgeon in Los Angeles and other convenient locations at IQ Laser Vision for a complimentary consultation. This visit will help you decide if PRK or LASEK are the best choice for you.
At this consultation, your surgeon will explain the procedures and examine your eyes. You can also ask any questions you have about PRK and LASEK.
If you’re also in need of a cataract surgeon in Los Angeles, our team at IQ Laser Vision can provide comprehensive care for a range of eye conditions. Dr. Lin, our highly qualified and experienced surgeon here at IQ Laser Vision, is well-known in the industry for producing clear results. He’s backed by a team of knowledgeable and friendly staff who assist with each stage of the procedure. You’ll get to know your surgical team through consultation, so you know that they have the skills and know-how to bring back your vision efficiently and effectively.
If you would like to find out more about PRK surgery in Los Angeles and would like to know if you would make a good candidate for this treatment, you can schedule a free consultation. During this consultation, you will have an eye assessment to determine whether PRK or LASEK is the best course of treatment for you.
Are you a good candidate for PRK & LASEK ?
Determining if you are a candidate for PRK & LASEK starts with your personalized consultation. The consultation is completely free with no obligations. This enables us to perform a few optometry exams to understand your current vision issues. Once that is determined your vision correction options can be presented and discussed with you.
At IQ Laser Vision, we understand vision is very important and our number one goal is to provide high-quality care and service so that you can see 20/20 without the need for glasses or contacts!
