What Are The Best Alternatives to LASIK?
For many, a life without contact and glasses sounds like a dream — but if you suffer from already dry eyes or a thin cornea, you may wonder whether there are good alternatives to LASIK. The good news? The road to better vision doesn’t stop at LASIK. There are several other options such as EVO Visian ICL or photorefractive keratectomy PRK surgery that can bring you the clear vision you’ve been hoping for.
At Eye Center of Texas, we offer a range of vision corrective surgery options including LASIK, EVO Visian ICL, and PRK. Depending on your unique vision and goals of the procedure, one of these procedures may be a great fit for you.
What can you do if you can’t get LASIK?
EVO Visian® ICL Lens
The EVO Visian ICL lens is an implantable Collamer lens that is an excellent alternative to LASIK for astigmatism as well as for patients who are not a good candidate for LASIK due to dry eyes, thin corneas, and high levels of nearsightedness.
When comparing the LASIK vs. ICL procedures, during EVO, a removable lens is placed behind the colored part of your eye (your iris) through a small hole rather than creating a flap and reshaping your cornea with a laser. Not only does this provide most patients with immediate vision improvements, but unlike LASIK which permanently changes the shape of your eye, it allows your eye surgeon to remove the lens at a later date if you require additional eye surgery. The entire procedure is very quick and virtually painless, taking only 20-30 minutes.
Other benefits of EVO Visian ICL include:
- Clear, sharp vision
- Short recovery time
- Offers UV protection
- Not visible once they are placed
- Can improve night vision
- Does not cause dry eyes
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)
Patients that are looking for a safe alternative to LASIK due to dry eyes or thin corneas may want to consider PRK vision corrective surgery. PRK is a refractive surgery that removes the outer layer of your cornea to allow access to the cornea without creating an incision. It then uses a laser to help correct vision loss due to nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism similar to LASIK.
Because the outer layer of your cornea is being removed entirely, the recovery time for PRK is a bit longer than it is for LASIK but it is still a great option for patients who want to break free of their contacts and glasses but aren’t a good candidate for LASIK.
If you’ve already tried LASIK and are curious about additional eye treatments to further improve your vision, you are able to get PRK after LASIK although it is rarely needed.
Refractive lens exchange (RLE)
RLE is a vision corrective surgery that replaces your entire natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens. This is a great alternative to LASIK for patients who struggle with age-related vision changes or presbyopia, a condition that gradually affects the eye’s ability to focus on objects that are close-up.
The RLE procedure is very similar to cataract surgery except in RLE, you’re removing a clear lens rather than a cloudy one. Most patients can resume normal activities after a week of resting but may not experience completely clear vision for a couple of weeks.
What is the safest corrective eye surgery?
Each of the above-mentioned eye surgeries has had high success rates and is considered a safe procedure. That said, the safest corrective eye surgery for you will depend on your vision impairments, individual goals, the thickness of your cornea, and any other existing symptoms.
For example, if you’re looking for LASIK alternatives for dry eyes, you may be a good candidate for either PRK or EVO Visian ICL. But because EVO Visian ICL is only used to treat nearsightedness or nearsightedness with astigmatism, if you have dry eyes and are farsighted, the best alternative for you may be PRK.
Need an alternative to LASIK? Eye Center of Texas can help you choose the right vision corrective surgery for you.
There are many factors to consider when it comes to choosing the right alternative to LASIK for you. You’ll want to take into consideration aspects such as your prescription, other symptoms, your lifestyle, and the types of benefits you are seeking. Fortunately, the best LASIK surgeon in Houston, TX at Eye Center of Texas will be able to tell you whether or not you’re a good candidate for LASIK and inform you of other options to help you achieve your goal of a life without dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
If you’re looking for an eye doctor to help explain your vision corrective surgery options and recommend a treatment plan tailored to your needs, look no farther than Eye Center of Texas. Our skilled doctors have completed over 75,000 LASIK procedures and are one of the first ophthalmologist practices in Texas to offer the groundbreaking EVO Visian ICL procedure.
Request an appointment with us online or call Eye Center of Texas today at 713-797-1010.
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Do’s and Don’ts after PRK Surgery
Patients who are considering corrective laser surgery, particularly PRK surgery, should familiarize themselves with some do’s and don’ts after PRK surgery to encourage a speedy and painless recovery.
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is an outpatient laser procedure that usually only takes about fifteen minutes and produces 20/40 vision in 95% of those who elect to get it. If you are thinking about taking the next step in making poor vision an ailment of the past, keep reading to get an idea of what to expect during and after PRK surgery.
What to expect during PRK surgery
Is PRK eye surgery safe? The actual procedure is quite short, usually finishing up in just under 15 minutes. We understand that the experience can be nerve-wracking, so we offer an oral sedative for your comfort if you feel you could use it.
Your ophthalmologist will administer numbing drops in your eyes to reduce discomfort and work on one eye at a time, gently removing the top layer of your cornea (epithelium) and reshaping its irregularities with ultraviolet light. This beam is only used on the surface of your cornea and does not interfere with the corneal flap in the same way that LASIK does, it does however make the healing process a bit longer because the epithelium needs to regrow instead of just being reattached.
Continue reading: PRK vs LASIK recovery time
When the procedure is finished the surgeon will place a soft bandage contact lens on your eye, which both protects it and encourages healing of your cornea. You will be given eye drops (which you should use early and often over the following weeks) and consummate instructions before being driven home to rest.
The Don’ts: What can you not do after PRK surgery?
What you can do is rarely as important as what you cannot do when recovering from surgery. You probably have some questions like “Can you go outside after PRK surgery?” or “How soon can I drive after PRK surgery?” Here is a list of a few don’ts that will complicate recovery:
- Do not under any circumstances rub or touch your eyes: It can displace the bandage contact lens and land you back in the office for a replacement.
- Do not exercise or physically exert yourself: Perspiration can irritate and dry your already irritated and dry eyes.
- Do not drive until your doctor tells you it is safe to do so.
- Do not swim. This means no pools, no hot tubs, and no steam rooms. You may shower starting the day after your procedure but keep those eyes shut to make sure soap and water get nowhere near your eyes.
- Avoid dust, dirt, and smoke.
- Avoid eye makeup and skin creams around the eyes for a week after surgery.
- Avoid bright lights.
The Dos: Recovery tips for PRK surgery
The best way to ensure a comfortable recovery is to lay the groundwork. Inform your boss that you might need a couple of days off of work to ensure you are fully recovered before returning. It can take a few days for your vision to begin to clear up but if you are patient with your eyes and communicative with your doctor, you will have nothing to worry about. Here is some more practical advice:
- Follow up with your doctor: You can expect vision changes in the positive and negative as your eyes heal. It is normal for your eyes to feel dry for a few weeks following the procedure.
- Use your eye drops!
- Wear eye shields at night following the procedure.
- You may return to work once the bandage contact lens has been removed. If the bandage contact comes out do not attempt to put it back in and call your doctor.
- You will experience increased sensitivity to bright lights. Wear sunglasses, even during the day and indoors, for the first few days following the procedure.
- Consult your doctor before and after your procedure about meds to help with possible discomfort.
- Be aware of the PRK side effects so that you know when (and more importantly) when not to be alarmed. Things like dry eyes and blurry vision should not worry you.
Considering PRK surgery? The experts at Eye Center of Texas are here to help.
Our team at Eye Center of Texas has been working to give patients the eyesight that they deserve for years. With the help of surgeons like cornea specialist Dr. Yasir Ahmed, we are able to put the best minds and the most advanced techniques to work in service of your vision.
Now that you know your do’s and don’ts after PRK surgery contact us to see if you would be a candidate for PRK or LASIK, or visit PRK surgery Houston for more information on the procedure.
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What is PRK Eye Surgery?
If you struggle with poor eyesight and are looking for ways to correct it without the use of contact lenses or glasses, you may find yourself wondering “what is PRK eye surgery?”
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is an outpatient laser eye surgery that focuses on reshaping the cornea to treat astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. The entire procedure takes up to 15 minutes and will likely have you back on your feet in just a couple of days.
You don’t have to live with poor eyesight. See how PRK eye surgery can permanently improve your vision and how it compares to LASIK.
What to expect during PRK laser eye surgery
PRK treats refractive errors in your eyes using a laser to reshape parts of your cornea. This process adjusts the way light is bounced into your retina, improving your eyesight.
Before going into surgery
In your appointments leading up to your PRK surgery, you and your eye surgeon should review the risks, benefits, and costs. He or she will test and examine your vision to determine whether PRK eye surgery is right for you.
Immediately before the eye surgery, you will receive numbing drops in your eyes and an oral sedative if necessary.
During PRK surgery
The surgery itself won’t last longer than 10 to 15 minutes. During the procedure, your eye surgeon will gently remove the top layer of your cornea to expose the part of your eye that needs to be reshaped. This removed outer layer will grow back on its own while you are healing. The laser in PRK, which delivers a pulsing beam of ultraviolet light, is used on the surface of the cornea, not underneath the corneal flap like in LASIK.
Recovery after surgery
You won’t be able to drive for up to a week after the surgery so be sure you have a trusted ride home. There may be some pain or discomfort for the first 24 to 36 hours so you’ll need to ensure that you can get adequate rest, avoid physical activity, and avoid any products that could cause irritation or infection to your eye.
So, how long does it take to recover from PRK eye surgery?
The initial recovery can take a couple of days and may require some pain medication for a day or two. Your doctor will place an eye bandage similar to a contact lens over your eyes while the top layer of your cornea regenerates. There may be some light sensitivity or blurred vision in those first couple of days but your vision should stabilize after the initial recovery.
Full recovery will take about a month but you’ll be back to normal once the eye bandage is removed a few days post-surgery.
PRK surgery side effects
There are a few expected PRK surgery side effects to keep in mind during the first couple days of the healing process including:
- Mild to moderate discomfort or itching
- Light sensitivity
- Seeing halos of light for the first few weeks
- Cloudy or hazy vision
If you notice any unusual symptoms or the above side effects persist, call your ophthalmologist immediately.
PRK vs. LASIK
Chances are if you’re wondering “what is PRK eye surgery?”, you are also curious about LASIK and the differences between the two.
Both laser eye surgeries utilize the same corrective portions when reshaping the cornea with slight variances in how the doctor accesses the cornea. As mentioned, with LASIK, the surgeon will access the surface of your cornea by creating a corneal flap. Whereas during a PRK procedure, the top layer of your cornea, or the epithelium, is removed to allow access to the irregularities needing to be corrected.
Another big difference between the two procedures is their recovery time. Since the hinged flap can simply be realigned after the procedure, your vision will likely be functional immediately after your LASIK procedure.
Wondering why to choose PRK over LASIK? Your ophthalmologist might suggest PRK eye surgery over LASIK if you have certain structural variances, like a thin cornea or dry eyes, that make LASIK unsafe. Your doctor might also suggest you receive PRK after LASIK if you did not receive the desired outcomes.
FAQs
Is PRK worse than LASIK?
One eye surgery isn’t worse than the other. They are both fairly low-risk, dependable procedures with good outcomes. PRK does take a bit longer, has a slightly longer recovery time, and may cause some discomfort following the procedure. But there is less of a risk for dry eyes and/or your corneal thickness to be affected if you already have thin corneas.
Continue reading: Am I a good candidate for LASIK surgery?
Does PRK or LASIK last longer?
The PRK surgery takes a bit longer than LASIK due to the fact that it often requires two lasers — one to remove the epithelium and one to correct the cornea. The entire process is typically done in less than 15 minutes.
How long after PRK can you wear contacts?
Can you wear contacts after PRK? Yes, but you shouldn’t need to. PRK is a refractive surgery that helps correct vision loss. Should you need to wear contacts after the procedure, opt for soft contact lenses as rigid contact lenses may not fit correctly after surgery.
If you are interested in wearing soft lenses or decorative contacts, wait at least six months.
Learn more about PRK eye surgery from a specialist at Eye Center of Texas
Now that you have a better understanding of the answer to the question, “what is PRK eye surgery?” you may be interested in learning whether you’re a candidate for PRK surgery in Houston.
Eye Center of Texas offers years of experience offering the most advanced refractive surgical techniques in Houston including PRK and LASIK. With cornea specialist and surgeon, Dr. Yasir Ahmed, you can rest assured that your vision is in the best hands.
If you’re looking for a permanent solution to vision loss or astigmatism, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
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Is PRK Eye Surgery Safe?
If you’ve been considering laser eye surgery, PRK might be on your radar, and may find yourself wondering, is PRK eye surgery safe?
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a type of laser eye surgery used to treat vision loss or astigmatism. What is the PRK success rate? According to the FDA, about 95% of PRK patients achieve 20/40 vision without the need for corrective lenses or glasses one year post-surgery. As with any medical procedure, there are risks, but PRK eye surgery is generally a very safe and predictable procedure with great outcomes.
With PRK, poor vision can be an ailment of the past. In this article, we’ll cover what you can expect during and after PRK eye surgery.
What happens during PRK eye surgery?
The PRK procedure itself is fairly short, lasting only around 15 minutes long. Your ophthalmologist will use numbing drops in your eyes before the procedure and offer an oral sedative if you feel you need it.
Then they will gently remove the top layer of the cornea, or the epithelium, and reshape the irregularities with a pulsing beam of ultraviolet light. The outer layer that was removed will regenerate while you’re healing. To help it along, your doctor will place a protective bandage over your eye. This eye bandage will be removed a few days after your procedure.
Recovery: the do’s and don’ts after PRK surgery
Recovery for PRK is a little longer than LASIK due to the nature of the surgery. In LASIK, the corneal flap can simply be realigned after the procedure. But in PRK, the outer layer that was scraped away needs time to grow back.
You may experience some slight discomfort and pain immediately after the surgery and for the first 24 to 36 hours after. It’s best to take off work for the first couple of days and avoid driving yourself home from the surgery. 90% recovery can take up to a month but you’ll be back to your normal activities a few days post-surgery.
Here are some other tips for the week following your PRK procedure:
- Do not rub or touch your eyes
- Avoid wearing eye makeup
- Avoid swimming, hot tubs, and dry or dusty environments
- You may shower, but do your best to avoid getting water in your eyes
- Do not drive until you receive your doctor’s approval
- Use post-operative drops as often as needed
- Wear your eye shields at night
- Use sunglasses for at least the first three days
If you have any questions or concerns about the recovery process, please contact your doctor.
The side effects of PRK
Some typical PRK surgery side effects to keep an eye out for in the first week of recovery include:
- Mild to moderate discomfort or itching
- Light sensitivity
- Seeing bursts or halos of light for the first few weeks
- Cloudy or hazy vision (corneal haze)
If you notice any unusual symptoms such as pus, swelling, and/or fever, or the above side effects persist, call your ophthalmologist immediately.
What are the long-term effects of PRK?
Is PRK safe long term? Generally speaking, PRK is a safe laser eye surgery with high rates of success. That said, although they are rare, there is always a chance for long-term risks. The main long-term risks of PRK include the loss of vision that cannot be corrected, double vision, severe eye damage, and night vision issues like seeing glares or halos at night.
What’s the difference between PRK vs. LASIK?
The biggest difference between LASIK and PRK is the procedure process itself and the recovery time. The cornea is reached by removing the outer layer in PRK, but in LASIK the doctor reaches the cornea through a corneal flap. This difference in technique accounts for a longer healing time for PRK patients. Waiting a few extra days for your PRK recovery can lead to year after year of clear vision and a vastly improved quality of life.
Continue reading: Is LASIK safe?
Wondering if you’re a good candidate for PRK? Learn more at Eye Center of Texas.
So, is PRK eye surgery safe? For most patients, PRK surgery in Houston is a perfectly safe laser eye surgery. It’s a great option for individuals who have certain structural variances, like a thin cornea or dry eyes, that make LASIK unsafe.
Wondering you could be a good candidate for PRK? Head into Eye Center of Texas! We have years of experience offering the most advanced refractive surgical techniques in Houston including PRK and LASIK. With cornea specialist and surgeon, Dr. Yasir Ahmed, you can rest assured that your vision is in the best hands. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
More Helpful Articles by Eye Center of Texas:
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- Laser Treatment for Floaters: YAG Laser Vitreolysis
- Presbyopia Treatment Options in Houston
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Can you get PRK After LASIK? Understanding LASIK Enhancement.
Can you get PRK after LASIK? And if so, why would you want to? The vast majority of patients report permanently improved vision after LASIK surgery. However, there are a few rare cases in which someone may need additional eye treatment to reach their optimal vision.
That’s where LASIK enhancements come in, including PRK enhancement surgery. Learn about when the top LASIK surgeons in Houston advocate for PRK enhancement, how PRK is different from LASIK surgery, and more.
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Understanding the Difference Between PRK and LASIK: Why PRK May be Your Better Option
Recently, some of our patients have asked, “What is the difference between PRK and LASIK?” It’s a great question, and one you should also be asking if you’re considering corrective eye surgery. While both PRK and LASIK eye surgeries correct your vision by reshaping the cornea, the procedures differ in recovery time, methods used, and patient eligibility.
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Determining Which Corrective Eye Surgery is Right for You
Half of all Americans have poor eyesight, according to a study from the National Eye Institute. Some studies estimate higher, with 3 out of 4 American adults needing vision correction. With such widespread vision problems, an increasing amount of Americans are exploring different types of corrective eye surgery, including Houston LASIK. You may be wondering, “which eye surgery is best for me?”
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LASIK or PRK?
At the Eye Center of Texas, we want to make sure our LASIK and PRK patients can see clearly and have the healthiest eyes possible. This means carefully screening our patients and doing whatever we can to prevent complications.
While wavefront LASIK allows excellent custom laser eye surgery results, there are some cases in which LASIK is a poor option for vision enhancement. With that in mind, let’s consider why corneal thickness is so important.
What Is LASIK Surgery?
LASIK is a refractive surgery procedure that involves the use of lasers to reshape the cornea, which is the topmost central transparent layer of the eye. By reshaping the cornea, the passage of light through the eye is improved. Light will focus on a single point on the retina, which is the light sensitive tissue located at the backs of the eye.
LASIK is ideal for treating the following refractive errors:
- Nearsightedness (myopia)
- Farsightedness (hyperopia)
- Astigmatism
How LASIK Is Performed?
During LASIK surgery, a flap is created in the topmost portion of the cornea, which is known as the epithelium. Once the epithelial flap is lifted, a laser can then reshape the rest of the cornea to improve vision quality. The flap is set down after the laser contouring is completed.
Why Corneal Thickness Matters:
Good candidates for LASIK have corneas that are of regular thickness. Corneal thickness matters since it’s important to have sufficient corneal tissue in place to be reshaped. Thin corneas can make it difficult to create an epithelial flap. A lack of corneal tissue can make the surgery risky. The laser will remove a minute amount of corneal tissue, but if there is not enough corneal tissue in place this can result in keratoconus (an outward bulging of the eye) as well as other serious complications.
Can People with Thin Corneas Undergo LASIK?
In general, LASIK is a bad idea for people who have thin corneas or corneas that are irregularly shaped. This is just a common sense approach to laser vision correction that helps prevent serious complications and other issues.
Alternatives to LASIK for People with Thin Corneas:
If you do have thin corneas, there are other laser vision correction options that work on similar principles. This includes PRK. Rather than create a corneal flap, these surgery will involve removal of the epithelium or the shifting of the epithelium to allow for corneal reshaping.
In terms of results, these LASIK alternatives can each enhance vision in a significant way, with results that are comparable to LASIK. Healing times and overall healing experience may be different from LASIK, but patients should noticed improved vision without the need for corrective prescription lenses.
Discussing Your Treatment Options
During the consultation process, we can assess the thickness of your corneas and determine the ideal treatment option for you and your needs. We will work closely with you each step of the way to ensure you undergo optimal treatment for your vision needs. This includes a full discussion of the risks and benefits of laser eye surgery and why one option may be better for you than another.
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What is the Difference Between LASIK, PRK and Clear Lens Exchange
When patents come to us to find out if they are a good candidate for LASIK vision correction we conduct a very thorough eye examination – because not everyone is a good candidate . For example, your cornea might be too thin, or the shape of your eye might not be appropriate for LASIK. ECT also offers PRK, which is an excellent option to improve your vision.
What is LASIK?
LASIK is the most popular surgical procedure to correct vision problems. LASIK is a type of laser vision correction performed by a surgeon using a computer-controlled laser that emits precise pulses of energy to reshape the cornea. LASIK dramatically reduces the need for glasses or contact lenses by treating nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. After LASIK, nearly all patients see well enough that they don’t need glasses or contacts for most or all activities requiring distance vision.
What is PRK?
PRK, which stands for photo-refractive keratectomy, works in exactly the same general way as LASIK by reshaping the cornea. While both LASIK and PRK are two-step processes, in PRK the first step is different. Whereas LASIK involves providing the laser treatment under a flap, PRK is the application of the laser treatment on the corneal surface.
What is Clear Lens Exchange?
This procedure is much like cataract surgery, where the natural lens of the eye is exchanged for a custom lens implant. So, when LASIK or PRK is not the best option for you, we most likely have other procedures to improve your vision!
The only way to know what procedure is right for you is to schedule a no-obligation evaluation. We will do a comprehensive set of specialized tests and talk to you about what will work best for your eyes. Our friendly LASIK Counselors and Physicians look forward to seeing you to answer all your questions.
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Our Locations
Houston/Bellaire
6565 W. Loop S., Suite 650Bellaire, TX 77401
Medical Office:
713-797-1010
Medical Fax:
713-357-7276
LASIK/Near Vision:
Office: 713-395-1515
Fax: 713-357-7278
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Medical Office:
281-977-8800
Medical Fax:
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Sugar land
15400 S.W. Freeway, Suite 301Sugar Land, TX 77478
Medical Office:
281-277-1010
Medical Fax:
281-277-4504
Clear Lake
455 E. Medical Center Blvd., Suite 110Webster, TX 77598
Medical Office:
281-332-1397
Medical Fax:
281-282-9152
Katy
Greenhouse Medical Plaza2051 Greenhouse Road, Suite 110
Houston, TX 77084
Medical Office:
713-797-1010
Medical Fax:
713-357-7276
The Woodlands/Conroe
100 Medical Center Blvd., Suite 118Conroe, TX 77304
Medical Office:
713-797-1010
Medical Fax:
936-647-1620
