How Is PRK Different from LASIK?

LASIK and PRK (photorefractive keratectomy)  both use advanced surgical lasers to enhance your vision by reshaping the cornea.. Stephen Wilmarth, M.D., is an experienced eye surgeon in the Greater Sacramento area who can help determine whether PRK is the right choice for your eyesight.

Both LASIK and PRK correct common issues that blur eyesight, such as astigmatism, nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia). The main difference between PRK and LASIK is how our eye surgeon accesses the cornea during each procedure.  

PRK

With PRK, Dr. Wilmarth removes the cornea’s protective external layer (called the epithelium) and guides the laser over the surface of the cornea to reshape it. Because the epithelium has to regrow completely after PRK, it might take somewhat longer for your eyes to heal and your best vision to form fully after this procedure. Usually, you are back to normal activities in 3 to 4 days.

LASIK

During the LASIK procedure, Dr. Wilmarth makes a painless incision into the cornea, creating a small flap of tissue. When the flap is lifted up, the surgical laser can access the portion of exposed cornea tissue and reshape it.

Dr. Wilmarth will conduct a complete examination to determine treatment options that can optimize your eyesight. Because it penetrates less deeply into the cornea, Dr. Wilmarth might recommend PRK if you are not a LASIK candidate due to issues like:

• Chronic dry eyes

• Cornea thinness or scarring

• You have a job and/or extracurricular activities that could expose your eye to injury

To learn more about PRK and other vision correction options, please contact Wilmarth Eye and Laser Center or call 916-850-3060 today to schedule your consultation. Stephen Wilmarth, M.D. serves patients from Folsom, Roseville, Auburn and the Greater Sacramento area.

We look forward to seeing you.