PRK or Lasik?

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Aztechnology

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Hey GAF, today I went in for an eye exam. It's been two years since my last eye exam and it's the first time my vision has changed in nearly five years. Ever so slightly from -5.25 to somewhere in between -5.25 and -5.5 with .25 astigmatism. So my vision is crappy, pretty much always has been. Anyway I talked to my optometrist and asked her about Lasik. She said I was a fine candidate and she recommended it wholeheartedly. This is the first time I've seriously considered getting either procedure done.

My question, to GAF is, would you recommend PRK or Lasek? I didn't get a chance to talk extensively with my doctor (I will) but I just wanted to get some feedback from GAF about the two procedures from those who have had the procedure done, or possibly perform the procedure.

Eyes are healthy
Pressure is fine
-5.5 vision
.25 astigmatism
I do have fairly dry eyes.
 
I'm considering Lasik as well. My brother chose it over PRK because the heal time is quicker. You just have to be a little more careful not to touch your eyes for about 2 months.
 
Jailer of Hope said:
I'm considering Lasik as well. My brother chose it over PRK because the heal time is quicker. You just have to be a little more careful not to touch your eyes for about 2 months.
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I've heard that PRK has a lower incident of increased dryness in the eyes and less possible complications though? I really know almost nothing.
 
I've done Lasik eleven years ago, and I know it's a constantly progressing field. They matured the process a lot and a lot of the potential complications have been mitigated. My only side effect showed up recently, eye floaters. edit: i had -8 myopia with a half degree of astigmatism.
 
the optometrists i talked to always suggest prk to lasik, even more so saying it's the one they'de be doing on themselves if they had to pick between the two. It's the technique that requires more healing time, but it's much less problematic for the eyes, especially if you need reintervention.
 
Aztechnology said:
I've heard that PRK has a lower incident of increased dryness in the eyes and less possible complications though? I really know almost nothing.
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Yeah. For Lasik, it has to heal right. So no touching eyes. For PRK it just has to heal. It'll take longer, and you'll still want to be careful to prevent any complications, but it's generally easier to deal with supposedly. There's no constant worry about accidentally scratching your eyes.
 
your eyes will be even drier, permanently after surgery.
you said your vision changed, which is a red flag.


most respectable clinics would turn you away if you have dry eyes or vision changes in the last few years. you are not a candidate.


*side note for anyone considering surgery. get your pupil size measured under low light conditions. the laser can only correct so many mm and then blends out a few mm more.
if your pupils extend into the blend zone or further you will have poor to terrible low light vision.
 
big_z said:
your eyes will be even drier, permanently after surgery.
you said your vision changed, which is a red flag.


most respectable clinics would turn you away if you have dry eyes or vision changes in the last few years. you are not a candidate.


*side note for anyone considering surgery. get your pupil size measured under low light conditions. the laser can only correct so many mm and then blends out a few mm more.
if your pupils extend into the blend zone or further you will have poor to terrible low light vision.
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less than .25 in 5 years. I'm 24 and my vision has been the same for a while now. I don't think you vision really ever stops truly getting worse when you have pretty mad myopia.
 
Aztechnology said:
less than .25 in 5 years. I'm 24 and my vision has been the same for a while now. I don't think you vision really ever stops truly getting worse when you have pretty mad myopia.
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my vision was similar to yours before I got prk. it didn't change in 5 years prior.
 
Go see a good eye surgeon and ask them what they recommend. I would think your dry eyes would be an issue. ReLEx is supposed to be better for that but I don't think it's available in the US?

I went to see one of the best surgeons in the UK, but unfortunately I'm not suitable for either procedure at the moment due to my corneas being thin. Better to be told that than have some unscrupulous clinic do the procedure anyway.
 
Dougald said:
Go see a good eye surgeon and ask them what they recommend. I would think your dry eyes would be an issue. ReLEx is supposed to be better for that but I don't think it's available in the US?

I went to see one of the best surgeons in the UK, but unfortunately I'm not suitable for either procedure at the moment due to my corneas being thin. Better to be told that than have some unscrupulous clinic do the procedure anyway.
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Well I mean I think my eyes are dry. My optometrist has never told me I have dry eyes. She says they're normal. But I do spend a lot of time on computers, so it's more likely that it's just eye fatigue.

I definitely plan to do a consultation. I just was hoping to alleviate some fears, gather some more information. See if people even think it's really worth it.
 
Aztechnology said:
Well I mean I think my eyes are dry. My optometrist has never told me I have dry eyes. She says they're normal. But I do spend a lot of time on computers, so it's more likely that it's just eye fatigue.

I definitely plan to do a consultation. I just was hoping to alleviate some fears, gather some more information. See if people even think it's really worth it.
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If you're not using eye drops daily, it should be ok - that's what I was advised. Though you'll probably find it gets worse

If you are suitable I'd definitely do it. Still gutted that I can't have it done (yet)
 
Dougald said:
If you're not using eye drops daily, it should be ok - that's what I was advised. Though you'll probably find it gets worse

If you are suitable I'd definitely do it. Still gutted that I can't have it done (yet)
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I don't use drops, very rarely. I honestly just think I spend way too much time around computers.
 
I did LASIK last year and it was worth it. My eyes were drier for about a month and then it returned back to normal. There are tear duct plugs that they can install for you if you have exceptionally dry eyes. A buddy of mine had them installed after his procedure. They are installed to stop the eye drops from draining.

A good clinic will give you the necessary info and warnings beforehand. I went to my consultation and came away comfortable with my decision. It's just over the 6 month mark for me and it's been fantastic. Just the simple pleasure of being able to pick any pair of sunglasses is nice. (I never went down the route of contacts).

My pupils were large so they said there was a higher chance of halos around lights being a permanent thing. They showed me a picture indicating what lights may look like after the procedure and to my surprise, the "halo" side was already the norm for me.
 
My eyes are almost identical to yours op so know how you feel. Waking up every morning and the first thing I've done for decades is reach for my glasses.

Been wearing contacts that can stay in for a week for about 6 months now and wouldn't change. What sight I have is precious, I'd rather have these lenses than the eye surgery.
 
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