Comparison

PRK

Patients with mild to moderate myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism

Mild to moderate, for 24 to 48 hours

Three days to four weeks

1 to 3 days

4-8 weeks, possibly more

3 to 5 days

3 weeks to 2 months

Low (Less Surgeon Dependent)

Safe; effective; no weakening of the cornea; computer-controlled and thus less dependent on surgeon’s skill

Lasik

1. Best Candidates Useful in most patients, particularly those with moderate to severe myopia
2. Pain after operation
   None to minimal for about 24 hours
3. Time frame for seeing clearly after operation
   Within 24 hours
4. Days off work
   1 day
5. Post Op Medications
   1-2 weeks
6. Functional Visual Recovery
   24 hours
7. Optimum Visual Recovery
   1 to 4 weeks
8. Risk of Complications
   Low (More Surgeon Dependent)
9. Advantages
   Rapid recovery; little pain; long term stability; lack of scarring; able to repeat procedure if necessary; effective on higher levels of myopia
10. Disadvantages
    Requires skilled surgeon