Posted: 4/20/2017 2:28:52 AM EDT
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Has anybody done PRK eye surgery over LASIK? I have been researching them and it seems like other than the initial healing process that PRK is superior to LASIK.
I am surprised that LASIK seems to be more popular. Am I missing anything? |
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Got PRK because LASIK is not authorized in the Army for Combat Arms. LASIK creates a flap, PRK resurfaces the eye itself and creates no flap (takes longer to heal)
The results have been phenomenal. My vision was 20/10 in one eye and 20/15 in another for about 8 years after the surgery. It has slipped to 20/30 and I'm hoping it slips more soon so I can get a touch-up. My haze and night-time halos were very minimal as was scarring. The one issue I've had though has been chronic dryness in my eyes, so I carry drops with me. |
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I had the PRK done a few years ago. I went PRK over LASIK for many reasons, but first and foremost was a very specialty reason. My eye doc told me that LASIK isn't great about 14k feet, especially if you spend much time at that elevation, and can actually cause temporary blindness as the flap can inflame and obstruct your vision. I like high elevation mountaineering so I went PRK for that.
It's been great, though. I still have 20/15 vision no problems. I didn't find the recovery nearly as bad as everyone made it out to be. I went to a friend's wedding the day after the surgery without issue. |
| LASIK heals a lot faster because they just cut the flap fix your eye and put it back to heal quick. While PRK they cut it off completely and your eye has to regenerate it, so it takes a lot longer to heal. However if you do stuff like jumping out of helicopters then PRK is the only way to go. If you do that with LASIK the flap might flip forward and you'll be blind. So the military only allows PRK for durability issues. While civilians prefer LASIK for faster healing and aren't doing any craziness. |
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LASIK heals a lot faster because they just cut the flap fix your eye and put it back to heal quick. While PRK they cut it off completely and your eye has to regenerate it, so it takes a lot longer to heal. However if you do stuff like jumping out of helicopters then PRK is the only way to go. If you do that with LASIK the flap might flip forward and you'll be blind. So the military only allows PRK for durability issues. While civilians prefer LASIK for faster healing and aren't doing any craziness. |
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Does PRK take care of astigmatisms? |
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You won't even notice. They give you Valium or another sedative and the whole thing takes like 15 minutes. |
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LASIK heals a lot faster because they just cut the flap fix your eye and put it back to heal quick. While PRK they cut it off completely and your eye has to regenerate it, so it takes a lot longer to heal. However if you do stuff like jumping out of helicopters then PRK is the only way to go. If you do that with LASIK the flap might flip forward and you'll be blind. So the military only allows PRK for durability issues. While civilians prefer LASIK for faster healing and aren't doing any craziness. |
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That's incorrect. They do not cut it off completely. Its almost like they grind it down. Really weird sensation. You don't really feel anything except pressure. The procedure itself is painless...except for the freezing cold saline they pour on your eyes when done. Thought my brain was going to freeze. Takes time to heal, but the results are well worth it. I had mine done many years ago and still have 20/15 and 20/20. Dry eyes is very common. Good luck. The weirdest part about the PRK for me was slowly going back into a state of being unable to see clearly the few days after the surgery. They warned me about it but it was still freaky. Coming off the table with great vision and watching is slowly get worse was terrifying. The eye drops every 5 minutes part was less than fun, too, but just part of the deal. |
I can't tell the difference.
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That's incorrect. They do not cut it off completely. Its almost like they grind it down. Really weird sensation. You don't really feel anything except pressure. The procedure itself is painless...except for the freezing cold saline they pour on your eyes when done. Thought my brain was going to freeze. Takes time to heal, but the results are well worth it. I had mine done many years ago and still have 20/15 and 20/20. Dry eyes is very common. Good luck. This. They remove the epithelium to access the cornea. It grows back and is good as new. Basically it's a protective barrier on the cornea. That's why PRK recovery A) takes longer, B) sucks ass, and C) is more durable. You have to wait for it to regrow and in the meantime it feels like sandpaper every time you blink and your vision is pretty blurry while it regrows. But there is no flap to get ripped off when you do stupid shit. Like turning your back to your husky/shepherd mix while you are wrestling in the living room a month after surgery and not wearing eyepro. The flying-dragon-kick that caught me as I turned around to face him tore my epithelium all to hell and they had to remove it all over again. But the cornea was intact so I basically just went through the post-op recovery again. ETA and you absolutely can get dry eye with PRK. |
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This. They remove the epithelium to access the cornea. It grows back and is good as new. Basically it's a protective barrier on the cornea. That's why PRK recovery A) takes longer, B) sucks ass, and C) is more durable. You have to wait for it to regrow and in the meantime it feels like sandpaper every time you blink and your vision is pretty blurry while it regrows. But there is no flap to get ripped off when you do stupid shit. Like turning your back to your husky/shepherd mix while you are wrestling in the living room a month after surgery and not wearing eyepro. The flying-dragon-kick that caught me as I turned around to face him tore my epithelium all to hell and they had to remove it all over again. But the cornea was intact so I basically just went through the post-op recovery again. ETA and you absolutely can get dry eye with PRK. |
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I got Lasik 8 or so years ago and have done most of the activities mentioned in this thread. I quit flying (other than commercial) a couple years after lasik.
20/15 vision and no issues. I was a perfect candidate so ymmv. I did scare myself once - got sand in my eye and scratched it, but no issues...other than a scratched eye haha |
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I had PRK for the reasons others listed and I would recommend it. OP: please do your research and choose a reputable doc. Your eyes are not something you should cheap out on. |
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I had PRK in 2004. The .mil paid for it. I was something like 20/500 in both eyes. My prescription was -5.0 and -5.25. Technically too bad for them to do it while at USNA, but the awesome chief put me through anyways. The first 3 days sucked ass. It felt like someone poured a bucket of sand in my eyes. After they took out the bandage contact, it was bad ass. I had some problems with computer monitors for the first week, but after that, I could read my roommate's 10pt font from across the room. Incredible.
My eyes aren't quite as good now, but it depends on what kind of strain I'm putting them through. After long drives they start to suck and get blurry, but days/weeks when I go without fluorescent lights and computer monitors it's back to 20/20. My only side effect is when the first drops of sweat gets in my eyes, it burns like fire. It goes away after a few seconds, then it's normally good until next time. My eyes were so bad before that I've told people I would go through the pain every year if it meant I could have the vision that I have now. |
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however a climb of Mt. Everest organized by ophthalmologists Geoff Tabin MD and Jason Dimming MD, who are also mountaineers, shows that long exposure to elements at high altitudes with Lasik is not significantly more problematic than for climbers without refractive surgery. Dr. Tabin's climb is one of the few studies to look at the effects of hypobaric hypoxia on the cornea following Lasik and the only one examining the phenomenon at such altitude.
Five of the six climbers reported no subjective visual changes at up 26,400ft. One team member reported some blurring of vision above 16,000ft and two climbers reported similar problems above 27,000ft. |
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Has anybody done PRK eye surgery over LASIK? I'm probably the only one in this thread that literally has PRK OVER Lasik. I got Lasik done when I was in my early 20s and they gave me a lifetime guarantee. When my vision started to slip around age 30 I went back and they performed PRK on top of the old Lasik flap. They prefer not to lift an old Lasik flap and PRK was a better fit at that point due to tissue thickness. Lasik: I could see 20/20 immediately, had intense pain the first night, and then that was pretty much it. I did have some minimal night time "starring" effect you read about, but it went away over the first year. PRK: I had less pain from the PRK procedure (not typical), but it did take weeks/months to see full benefits. Some days I could see great and then it would be blurry the next. Ultimately, I ended up with a little better than 20/20, but it took time. There was definitely some dry eye for awhile. I'd probably go with PRK if I had to choose one or the other. I don't like the idea that I have a flap hanging over my eye for the rest of my life. Either way, it's worth it. I never had great vision as a kid, but I've had 20/20 vision for pretty much my entire adult life. It's a great time to be alive. |
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This. It is literally the best money I've ever spent. 20/15 vision now several years after the procedure. OP: please do your research and choose a reputable doc. Your eyes are not something you should cheap out on. http://www.tlcvision.com/centers/portland/ I did not see to many negative reviews (mostly positive). They are normally $5000, but they have a promotion right now for $4000. |
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Had PRK back in 2002-2003. Not sure how different it is now. Went PRK vs LASEK for the reasons mentioned.
Eyes burned quite a bit for the better part of a week. Very photo sensitive for 3 days, iirc. Since then, it's been amazing. I figured that initial week of discomfort was a fair trade for not compromising the structural integrity of my eyes. |
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I got prk around 2006 military paid
I had a real bad astigmatism. One of my eye was too thin for the flap so prk was the route they went and I for the life of me didn't understand why most people in the briefing didn't choose the prk. I did not want a flap. No dry eye or halos great vision still over 10 years later. |
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Did PRK for all reasons listed (.mil, altitude, diving) and it was definitely 2 pretty bad weeks of recovery afterwards.
Not that I followed directions, as I drove myself home from it... (had to wear those goggles and very sensitive to light) so could barely keep eyes open. Eyes were burning and tearing for most of those 2 weeks. IIRC I chose to stay in bed for at least a week, and before I could take the googles off. Driving back for checkup wasn't as bad, but it was another week before started feeling/seeing normal. Sure beat wearing glasses/contacts. 20 years later I still have dry eyes when waking up in the morning; gotta be careful to make sure I don't tear something when I open my eyes sometimes (usually it's only 1). Don't do drops because they're fine during the day. Vision has been great until I hit 40+. Now reading close is getting harder and harder... Bottom line, PRK is cool but if you don't need it, I might try LASIK instead in my next life. |
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Neither Lasik or PRK since I'm not a candidate due to other health issues. But does anyone have experience with cataract surgery with artificial lens implantation? Family history says I'm heading that way in the next few years. |
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Interesting read:
http://www.isthisyourhomework.com/lasik-vs-prk-what-the-lasik-doctor-doesnt-tell-you/ “The ugly truth about Lasik is that the cornea flap never actually heals. The cut is permanent. The cornea is forever compromised.” |
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Please update if you decide to pull the trigger.
I too am looking into PRK in the Portland area. Already had a consultation at an eye clinic and the Dr seems legit but I couldn't find a lot of PRK/LASIK reviews for them and want to get a 2nd opinion anyways. I might check out that TLC place. My biggest fear is the recovery time as there are a few blogs out there that say it took months for the eyes to stabilize after PRK. Everyone I have talked to said it is the best money you can spend. |
