A) At ClearView, we do not charge more for PRK than for LASIK. There is slower recovery time and a few more visits may be needed.

A) If your eyeglass prescription is still changing, refractive surgery may not be good for you yet.  IT is best to wait until your eyes are stable.

A) Nearsightedness or myopia can be corrected with PRK or LASIK.  Undergoing a consultation with an eyeMD will enable you to determine which procedure is best for you based upon the shape of your eyes, the thickness of your cornea or the types of activities or work that you do.

A) Photorefractive keratectomy [PRK] or LASIK can be performed if you are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism. Results are similar but the healing time differs. During your consultation, the doctor will go over the best procedure for you based upon your activities, the shape and thickness of the front surface of the eye [cornea]. 

A) Refractive surgery should not be performed if your prescription is still changing.  EyeMD's consider a change in prescription of 0.50 D or greater a significant change. Note that a complete eye examination including a dilated eye examination may be required to determine the change as the prescription can vary after a lot of near work.

A) At ClearView Eye & Laser Medical Center, PRK and LASIK are similarly priced.  More visits are needed after PRK; however, additional supplies are required during surgery for LASIK.  One should not make a decision on which procedure to have based upon price.

A) LASIK involves creating a flap in the cornea and then, reshaping the cornea while photorefractive keratectomy, PRK and advanced surface ablation, ASA involve only the recontouring part. These procedures are performed to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism and often result in excellent uncorrected acuity.  In the U.S., the Navy has approved the LASIK procedure.  Nonetheless, the shape of the cornea changes after surgery,and certain tests may show a pattern suggesting that you have undergone laser vision correction.

A) Vision after PRK
The results of PRK do depend upon one's healing. Following healing the front surface of the eye, the corneal epithelium, it does take time to settle down for one's vision to be at the optimal level. This may take from one week to six months, depending upon an individual's healing. Your vision is within the normal range at this point. Please call your eye doctor with any concerns you might have and go in for an extra visit.

A) Although LASIK is a quick surgery, it is still a real surgery associated with very small risk. The most common reason people do not consider LASIK is fear. You should feel completely comfortable with your surgeon and center. A good way to choose a surgeon is to speak with their past happy patients, meet the doctor and the staff, ask all of your questions and make sure you get answers. The doctor and staff should explain the vision correction option that is best for you at the consultation. This is based on the thickness and shape of your cornea or front surface of your eye, any activities or sports that you play, and your prescription. There are other options for you to consider if LASIK is not the best procedure for you that can also provide you with hassle free vision like Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) or Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICL).

You may wear colored contact lenses after these procedures, however it is important to have these prescribed to you by your doctor and purchased from a reputable source. Counterfeit contact lenses have emerged in recent years.

A) PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) is a laser vision correction procedure that treats nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Any type of laser vision correction thins the cornea, which is why you may not be a candidate for an enhancement. There are other procedures available to reduce your prescription like refractive lens replacement or implantable collamer lens. The best procedure for your eyes should be determined. PRK has a slower healing time than LASIK and it is more uncomfortable. If you have surgery on Friday, you can most likely return to school on Tuesday.

I advise you to seek the care of a doctor who performs all procedures so he/she can determine which procedure is best for your eyes. Thoroughly learn about all procedures and have your questions answered before you undergo any procedure.