If you’re starting your journey to better vision by considering laser eye surgery, congratulations! It’s a big and exciting step. And it will be a life-changing one. Everyone deserves to wake up each day with clear, unrestricted vision, free from the hassles of glasses and contacts.
If you’re still in research mode, it can be understandably confusing, especially with all the options to consider and decisions to make. But good news; at Carter Eye Center, we have your back!
We encourage you to visit our Dallas office and discover our Carter Cares Advantage. We only offer advanced technologies in vision correction because we know that’s what delivers the most optimal results. Not to mention the VIP patient care and smiling faces you’ll see around every corner.
In-Depth Testing Provides Peace of Mind
When you schedule a free, no-obligation LASIK consultation at Carter Eye Center, your eyes will be closely examined to determine which surgery option is best for you.
Here’s what you can expect at this thorough, high-tech eye exam. Below is a list of the different tests and scans you will have at your consultation:
- Visual acuity and refractive error
- Visual field screening
- Dry eye testing
- Pupil size in low and medium light
- Ocular pressure
- Corneal thickness and topography
- General eye health
LASIK or PRK – Which is Right for Me?
Two of the most common laser eye procedures performed today are LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) and PRK (PhotoRefractive Keratectomy).
Often when patients are not a candidate for LASIK surgery (this is rare), PRK is a great alternative, and vice versa. Since everyone’s eyes are unique, there is no “one-size-fits-all” procedure that is suitable for each and every person; many factors play into determining which procedure is best for you.
Let’s look at some differences and similarities in LASIK vs. PRK to equip you with all the basic knowledge you need to know.
Both LASIK and PRK work by changing the shape of the cornea so that light is focused correctly, resulting in improved vision. During all-laser LASIK, a corneal flap is created using the Intralase femtosecond laser. The flap is lifted and the VISX Star S4 excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea. Here at Carter Eye Center, we are committed to the latest, proven technologies in the field of laser vision correction.
One of the most notable differences between LASIK surgery vs. PRK surgery is recovery time. During PRK surgery, Dr. Harvey Carter will remove a central area of the corneal epithelium, then use the excimer laser to ablate layers of the cornea. There is no flap involved in this method. The corneal epithelium will repair itself from the surgery, which usually takes five days.
For LASIK patients, vision improves rapidly, generally within 24 hours. Many of our patients see immediate results, though it may take several days to reach peak clarity and accuracy. On the other hand, PRK patients should expect to wait up to six months to see their best results from the procedure. However, in the end, the goal is the same and is attainable for both methods, which is 20/20 vision or better.
Both LASIK and PRK are capable of treating myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. In most cases, determining which procedure is favored for a patient’s unique set of eyes comes down to the thickness of their cornea. People with thin corneas are generally not good candidates for LASIK due to the creation of a corneal flap.
Which method is better? Opinions vary, but it is our position that the more important question is ‘Which method is better for you?’ Every medical procedure comes with its own benefits and risks; it comes down to which one will deliver the most flawless results for your own unique eyes. And that decision is best left to an expert – your Carter surgeon!
We are proud to consistently be at the forefront of patient care, research and technology in the field of vision correction. We are confident you’ll feel great about your decision to join the thousands of other patients who have trusted their eyes to Carter Eye Center. Schedule a free consultation to start determining which procedure is right for you!
