When PRK is a Safer Alternative to LASIK in San Francisco

Your San Francisco laser vision correction surgeon has access to two procedure types: surface ablation, like PRK or LASEK, or depth-based ablation, like LASIK, which requires the creation of a corneal flap (ablation = tissue removal). If you have irregular corneas, you're apt to become a San Francisco LASEK or PRK patient.

The choice of LASIK versus surface procedures like LASEK or PRK in San Francisco, is a critical decision on your San Francisco laser vision correction doctor's part. If he ignores serious corneal irregularities, and you become a San Francisco LASIK patient, the flap incision could potentially undermine the long-term structural integrity of your cornea.

If San Francisco LASIK is not medically advised, then you may be a candidate for San Francisco LASEK or PRK. These procedures do not require the creation of a corneal flap. Rather, in the case of PRK in San Francisco, the thin outer membrane of the cornea, called epithelium, is washed away, and the exposed surface is then ablated. The epithelium of San Francisco PRK patients regenerates over a few days, preserving the treated area.

In the case of LASEK in San Francisco, the epithelium is first loosened and then lifted, like a mini flap, to expose the surface area for treatment. The epithelium layer of San Francisco LASEK patients is then draped over the treated area, where it heals.

The reason every patient doesn't choose LASEK or PRK in San Francisco, is that these procedures typically cause more eye irritation and involve a longer visual recovery period than San Francisco LASIK. On the other hand, the visual destination point for all three procedures is comparable; in other words, a San Francisco PRK or LASEK patient is likely to achieve the same post-operative visual acuity as his LASIK counterpart, it just takes longer to get there.

So make sure your San Francisco laser vision correction doctor is on top of things: LASIK is great, but if you're not a candidate, then LASEK or PRK in San Francisco is a fine alternative.

Wavefront LASIK in San Francisco »

Click here for a local LASIK surgeon »