LASIK Has Significant Advantages Over PRK
July 21, 2000
Ophthalmologists at the University of Texas’ Southwestern Medical
Center in Dallas reported that LASIK surgery is far better than PRK
at correcting farsightedness. LASIK patients reported speedier recovery
times and had no requirements for pain medication. Among patients treated
for hyperopia, or farsightedness, those whose doctors used LASIK also
had vision that stabilized more quickly than PRK patients.
The data came from an FDA trial as well from patients at the Laser
Center for Vision Correction at Zale Lipshy University Hospital, where
both types of procedures were conducted using an identical excimer laser.
The review of PRK data included 15 consecutive patients, while the LASIK
data was drawn from 22 consecutive patients.
The biggest difference between the two procedures was the amount of
post-operative pain. PRK required systemic medication for significant
postoperative pain in every case. LASIK patients, however, reported
only minor and temporary discomfort, with vision recovery occurring
within hours. The long term efficacy and safety of both PRK and LASIK
were comparable.
For more information on LASIK and other vision correction procedures, please contact a LASIK surgeon near you by
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