Three Reasons to Consider PRK If You Do Not Qualify for LASIK

Over the past decades, LASIK corrective eye surgery has helped tens of millions of patients overcome their visual woes. Yet, it may not be the right choice for everyone. Even so, our expert doctors at The Eye Center of Southern Indiana in Bloomington, IN can help you see better and improve your life.

So, if you suffer from refractive disorders (such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism), contact us today so we can find the best solution for you!

Reason #1: You’re seeking excellent eyesight and would like to ditch your glasses or lenses.

Ocular issues and their respective treatments hinge on many factors, including the physiological structure and pre-existing conditions. Rest easy, though; even if you don’t qualify for LASIK, there are other equally safe and effective options that have helped many millions of patients enjoy 20/20 vision or better. In fact, there’s no reason to be frustrated by your potential ineligibility because one such alternative, PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), is even older than its more famous counterpart. As such, you can relax, knowing that you’re receiving an established treatment that has proven itself countless times in the past and around the world.

Reason #2: Some people may not be ideal candidates for LASIK.

And some conditions may be contraindications for this well-known procedure. For example, those with certain autoimmune diseases or diabetes may require another treatment plan. Additionally, dry eye syndrome (involving inadequate or abnormal tear production) may delay healing and preclude LASIK. Other contraindications include various ocular injuries and the suite of optic nerve-attacking conditions collectively known as glaucoma.

One of the major reasons you may not be ideal for LASIK is the make-up and shape of your cornea, the clear, protective layer on the outside of your eye. If the cornea is too thin or abnormally shaped (such as a cone-shaped cornea, a condition known as keratoconus), you may not be able to undergo LASIK.

Reason #3: You have a physically demanding job, are an athlete, or have an active lifestyle.

Also, those with active lifestyles, or those whose eyes are especially exposed to more stressful conditions due to work or other reasons, may benefit from an alternative refractive disorder-correcting surgery, such as PRK.

This is due to the process behind the surgery itself: when conducting LASIK, ophthalmologists cut a flap on the cornea. But this may not be ideal for people who are always on the move and perform brisk movements that may loosen this flap during the recovery period. In contrast, PRK requires no flap. Instead, a thin corneal layer is removed from the very outside of the eye. With no opening to potentially become loose, this makes PRK the preferential treatment for some.

However, it may take longer for your eye to heal compared to other laser surgeries. Though, you can expect to be back to doing normal activities (working, driving) within a week. And, within 1 – 3 months, you should be enjoying complete vision correction.

Find out more about PRK in Bloomington, IN

Your possible ineligibility for LASIK shouldn’t discourage you or hold you back from seeking treatment. We offer a full spectrum of ocular health services and would love to help find the optimal treatment for you. One such possibility, the previously described PRK, can give you an ocular makeover and provide 20/20 (or better) vision.