PRK and LASIK
This is a highly magnified picture of a human hair that has been treated with an excimer laser. The laser cut the grooves you see in the hair. In actuality, the laser vaporizes a layer at a time so that the depth can be precisely controlled. This same precision is possible when removing corneal tissue to re-shape the cornea during laser vision correction.
PRK is an acronym for Photo Refractive Keratectomy, which simply means "to remove corneal tissue with light".
PRK uses the computer-controlled Excimer Laser to reshape the top 5-15% of the cornea. Each pulse of the laser reshapes approximately one thousandth of a millimeter, in billionths of a second.
LASIK is an acronym for Laser In-situ Keratomileusis, which simply means "to shape the cornea from within".
In LASIK, the Excimer Laser is used to reshape the tissue from the center of the cornea rather than it's surface (as in PRK). An instrument, known as a microkeratome, is used to raise a partial thickness flap of corneal tissue before the laser performs its function. After the laser is applied, the flap is then put back into place.
The most commonly used procedure is Lasik, for its advantage of reduced patient discomfort, and the patient's ability to return to normal activities sooner than with PRK. Dr. Groo will evaluate your vision, and discuss your options during your free consultation.
