Could you please advise me on the safest method among trans-PRK no-touch Streamlight, Epi-Bowman keratectomy, and SBK-LASIK? Additionally, which of these methods would you recommend for me? 😃
I was scheduled for Lasik but just before the surgery the surgeon and I chatted and he discovered I was a competition water-skier. He strongly suggested PRK which we did. No regrets but make sure you disclose everything you want to do with improved vision, especially your sports!
3 weeks into PRK right now, the surgery was definitely more intrusive than LASIK but much quicker, from the time they started the first eye to ending on my other eye, it was roughly 15 minutes give or take; but felt like 5 minutes. Immediately there was much better clarity in my vision, and I could see pretty well. Although I was extremely light sensitive. The first 2 days after surgery were rough, a constant stinging sensation from where they removed my Epithelium, and basically staying in my room with all the lights off the entire time. You also get these "Halo" visuals which can make it difficult to sleep. On the third day (almost immediately after waking up) there was no stinging sensation. After the removal of the contact lens bandage on the fifth day, my vision has been getting signifigantly better. They told me I have 20:15 vision, and that over the next several weeks it will continue to get better. My right eye is extremely clear, but my left eye is taking a bit longer to heal (WHICH IS COMPLETELY NORMAL) as it may take 1-6 months for your vision to be its best!
@@leelunk8235 Agree. there is not a single reason to go for PRK. NOT ONE. this idea that there will be a flap hanging is so misleading. Flap joins back, it only hangs around if something went really wrong in the first few days of healing.
Thanks for this video comparing both procedures. It helped me choosing the PRK over LASIK; it is hard to cope with the unpredictability of the PRK recovering period, but preserving the cornea integrity proved to be more important to me.
@@MicheleLeeMD yea! I totally never thought about it since most of the patients we see go for LASIK instead of PRK. I always imagine the flap would just fuse back to the cornea.
@@AznJsn82091 It does fuse back but it can be easily dislodged with trauma. LASIK does win for recovery time though, and the majority (>99%) of patients don't ever have issues with the flap!
I had PRK done about 15 years ago. Best decision I ever made. Really the only side effect that I got was that I see glares/halos around lights at night. I don't do a lot of driving at night so it really doesn't bother me.
Our daughter was an Army Medical Office and was required to receive LASIK at Camp Pendleton prior to deployment. Subsequently she required PRK to correct for the ‘flares’ similar to those shown in this video.
I did one eye PRK and the other LASIK. The PRK eye is much less dry than my lasik eye, which I constantly have to use eye drops. PRK all the way! The healing time is slightly longer but I would definitely recommend PRK over lasik.
@@da_great_mogul yes it was actually a research study, and originally both eyes were supposed to be PRK. I think the vision in my PRK eye has also held up better than the LASIK eye.
@@da_great_mogul my LASIK eye isn’t dry 24/7 however if my allergies act up or it’s super windy it’ll be more affected & dry than the PRK. I was just happy to be rid of contacts because they would irritate my eyes constantly no matter if I wore daily disposables, what a nightmare. I was so happy to be done with contacts.
@@da_great_mogul I got a discount on the PRK (or maybe it was free? It was a long time ago.. in NYC) They were testing the post surgery eye drops, it was some kind of a steroid drop and possibly also mitomycin eyedrops to speed healing. In any case the protocol now uses some sort of a contact lens bandage which reduces pain & irritation, I definitely didn’t get that. My eye hurt for almost 1 week and then it took 2-3 weeks for vision to clear up.
I did prk and have zero regrets im on day 7 of recovery and already my vision is far better than before without glasses very excited to feel 2p/20 soon hopefully.
@Mr_SpideX22 hmm very hard to say I can't say I notice them a lot at all I would have noticed if they were disturbing me at night time I would say it's more a slight glow around the light source
My eye prescription was 20/400 when I had the lasik done back in 2001. I ended up with 20/15 eyes sight.....No complications (Thank God 😇 ) ... But I definitely struggled with dry eyes. And still do by not as bad as right after surgery... My eyes are probably 20/60? I sometimes wear 2.75+ prescription but try not to wear them most of the time as I don't want my eyes to get worse..). I hope to get my eyes done again in a couple of years, but the price is double now and now that I know how they do it (videos) and I'm scared and grossed out. Iol
The flap creation process in LASIK grosses me out just on the principle of the thing. If I ever get refractive surgery I plan to choose PRK. (That is if I qualify at all.)
DON'T GET ANY OF THAT, PRK PUTS ACID ON THE CORNEA TO LOOSEN IT UP AND IT LOOKS LIKE AN UNEVEN ASYMETRICAL CIRCLE, ONCE THE CORNEA IS DAMAGED, IT NEVER COMES BACK
@@aw1234 LEAVE YOUR EYEBALLS ALONE DUDE, THINK ABOUT IT, THE EYES ARE THE MOST SENSITIVE AREA OF THE HUMAN BODY, DON'T MESS WITH THEM DOING A MAN MADE LASER BS
Hey @Michele Lee, MD I had LASIK (in Germany, so I had some trust regarding legal requirements, but you never can be sure what decisions are made from greed) ~2 years ago and the operation went well. However I just stumbled randomly across those kind of videos again and was left with a question. I don't quite remember if I had always dry eyes or since (contact lense "abuse" if that's even possible)? I couldn't wear contact lenses due to dry eyes and after years of wearing them it got really uncomfortable. I wore contact lenses from the age of 17 until I was 27 (now I'm 32). I got the surgery because of the discomfort of wearing contact lenses and the hassle of wearing glasses when being active in sports. Until I was 27 I was doing combat sports and doing weight lifting (which I'm still doing now). After seeing some videos today I found out LASIK isn't particularly recommended if you have dry eyes and the risk of the corneal flap/layer getting detached (if trauma occurs = combat sports?). That leaves me with three questions. 1. The doctors did all the tests and considered me as a fit for the surgery, so was it (can it be) a misjudgment? Shouldn't they have recommended the PRK when they knew about my dry eyes? 2. Does LASIK always results in worsening regarding dry eyes? When the nerves are cut that's what it sounds to me, but I still don't understand why PRK also don't "kill" the nerves, when the surgent removes the top of the corneal. 3. How big are the risks of the corneal flap getting detached when suffering trauma? All in all I'm fairly happy with the result and can't really say that my eyes got dryer after the surgery. I use eye occasionally but not more often than before. Now after reading about LASIK and watching videos my eyes feels as they getting dryer. I think my vision got worse in the dark, is that possible after an eye surgery? And the last question (OK I had maybe more than 3 questions). Which eye dropps could you recommend, what should those eye dropps have as ingredients and are there any downsides when using?them regulary/daily?
I had PRK performed in the military... Before LASIK existed... Unfortunately, in less than 6 months I was back in glasses with super dry eye issues... And, once I had PRK done, getting LASIK was a no go! Everyone's eyes are different, however... You only have one set... Research & Choose carefully... My Dad has one eye due to a childhood accident... With only one eye he was hesitant of course... He was promised great results with LASIK, and the results were less than successful... Than doctor says what I felt should have been communicated in the first place... They couldn't promise anything... Soooo... Please please perform your due diligence...
I recently got PRK, my cornea was too thin for any other option, but being the curious me i asked questions, and i think i'd always take PRK for the long run - as for the blurry vision, well i had Astigmatism which is why i went for the surgery so ye it didn't feel bad actually blurriness but no headache was no issue
@@jinxedskyy was definitely painful for a couple of days and ur vision recovery is significantly slower, i knew som1 what did LASIK after me the difference was pretty significant - i don't know what u would categorize as unbearable but the first day i couldn't open my eyes almost for abt 8? Hours
@@preethirozario8684 i honestly don't remember, but at the time all i needed to know it's too thin for the normal procedure - i didn't feel like remembering that detail is useful to me
I'm 31 years old, have -2.25 dpt on both eyes and a regular-sized cornea without complications. I could get any laser therapy I wanted, yet after considering all the information available to me, I'm gonna go with ICL. I'd recommend checking it out.
I got TransPRK in 2018. Just had a checkup. Optometrist said I still see perfectly. I still fear regression. How rare would regression be at this point? And is there any risk for it in particular, and anything I can to negate that risk? I was -4.50 and -3.75 (I believe) before the surgery. I got the surgery at age 33. I hope to keep perfect far vision for life. I understand reading glasses are a possibility.
I had Lasik done on both of my eyes 13 years ago. I’m 62 now and am noticing a somewhat noticeable difference in one eye. I wonder if it’s worth getting the eye tweaked? Any thoughts?
Dr. Lee, how long does the danger of flap dislocation last with LASIK? Is it 1 months, 3 months, lifetime? This week I will meet with my surgeon to determine what we will do to fix my right eye and corneal modification is one option.
@@MicheleLeeMD Thank you. Good information as I play tennis. Historically I've had glasses to protect my eyes, but that could change, so safety glasses would seem like a good idea.
Complication could be high, PRK disrupts corneal structure affecting epithelium, Bowman's membrane, and anterior stroma. Corneal wound healing is a very complex process. With corneal regeneration many inflammation and complications can occur through the life but with flap dislodge its extremely rare less complication with LASIK
I need help Hello, I am a patient who underwent laser vision correction using the TransPRK StreamLight method, during which the Bowman's membrane is removed, does the lack of this membrane affect my life? Before the surgery I asked my doctor about it and said it was irrelevant now after reading various articles and research that making the eye right, preventing corneal fogging, and filtering the UV light entering the eye. Do you know how until then? Regards
I recently had a lasik consultation for the second time after considering it 3 years ago. Prk was never mentioned. Eyes haven’t changed whatsoever, but apparently my left cornea is slightly thinner (though not bad). I still qualify for both, but I’m so confused on which to do now as I’m nervous about the prk recovery 😭
It's a tough decision. PRK has longer healing times but would be worth i if you aren't a candidate for LASIK and want to move forward with corrective refractive surgery. Best of luck!
Will custom lasik still give problems for night time such as glares, starbursts, and halos? how does custom Lasik differ from regular in side effects ? best regards
Hi Dr Lee, a friend of mine from Colombia is suggesting refractive surgery there. They mentioned Barraquer Clinic and Dr Luis Ruiz clinic. Are these places any good for refractive surgery? Thank you
Hello Michele thank you for the video. My contact prescription is -3.75 and after having my eye mapped my doctor is saying LASIK is the way to go. I asked him if I should go PRK instead and he is saying that I fall in the range of LASIK. Does this sound about rite or would you need to see in person?
I always need to see in person to know for sure, but if you are a good candidate for LASIK according to your surgeon or eye doctor that's a good sign! LASIK is an easier and faster recovery so as long as you don't have corneal irregularities, I'd say to go for it.
Thank you very much for this feedback! I’ve been doing a lot of research on this lately before I proceed with LASIK and this makes me feel more comfortable about it. I recently became Contact Intolerant after months of trying different contacts and using prescribed drops. I loved my contacts and have been using them for 20 years. Just recently my eyes starting being in pain from even two hours of usage and causing headaches. So this pushed me into LASIK as I hate glasses LoL. Thanks again for the reply.
Do patients with irregular shaped corneas (i.e., irregular astigmatism/ steepening of the anterior) qualify for laser as some surgeons misdiagnose this as keratoconus even though my cornea thickness is consistent and not thinning in any area?
I had -8sph *-2cyl n -6.5sph*-2.5cyl n corneal thickness of 520 micron i have been advised for trans prk n done in 😢December 2022 its been a year now i haven't recovered yet i have 6/18 vision other doctor said ur epithelium layer hasn't recovered yet u have to wait like u said it take 3 months for prk n lasik to recover for me y its taking so long to heal
I had PRK on one eye, and LASIk on the other - and I HIGHLY REGRET the LASIK - it's a gimmick operation designed so employees don't have to take time off. Is there anything I can do, now that I've already got LASIK done, to make the eye comfortable like my PRK eye? I'm in phantom pain 24/7, even with the eyelid closed
Hi there, it depends how thin your cornea is and how much tissue we would need to ablate off. If you have do not have enough tissue for LASIK, you should consider PRK (less cornea needed). It is best to get a consult or two prior to deciding and proceeding with LASIK or PRK. Hope this helps!
@@MicheleLeeMD Thank you so much. Much appreciated. After I sent that I felt a little funny asking professional advice for free. Sorry about that. Thank you again.
@@rjohnson2417 Of course, happy to help :) I can't really give you individual medical advice, just my opinion without examining your eye for myself. Appreciate your comments!
@@rjohnson2417 Of course :) I make my videos and respond to comments so I can be a resource, but I always recommend getting personalized medical advice from an eye doctor.
I have a multi-vision LASIK four years ago the starburst never go away now a star see blurry near vision is okay but I can see well farsight I call the the clinique just told me I have to wait 12 weeks for see them I feel really sad for my situation thanks
I'm so sorry you've had issues with LASIK. Starburst are extremely common after LASIK but it is hard to really know what it's like to live with them constantly until you get the surgery. Without knowing your eye or numbers, I can't give you advice, but I sincerely hope that your eye doctors can help you with your symptoms and to see better ❤
Im farsighted, + 4 + 4, prescription has been the same for about 2 years but when they dilate my eyes it goes to +5 + 5, should i wait for Lasik? im 40
I had completed 2 months but not satisfied wid vision I can't see near by letters or objects... facing problem during night time, feels blury all time not happy wid PRK
It can take up to 12 months for some to recover from PRK. Also, laser surgery in general can mean you need reading glasses if you are 40+, as you would normally with perfect far sighted vision.
Does PRK weaken the contact? I'm an avid diver and had RK 27 years ago. I hate glasses and contacts and have no Macular degeneration, glaucoma, or cataracts.
Hello Dr Lee, hope you read my comment and solve the problem that I have. I have a myopia of -1.50 in both eyes and don't have any other problems with my eyes, my cornea thickness, and pupil diameter everything is ok, so now I want to go for Femto LASIK surgery to have a vision of 20/20. I searched a lot there are different comments so now I am scared and I don't know what to do but still I want that surgery. If I go for this surgery is there any risk of glare or halos in the future? is it worth doing this surgery or I should be with this -150 myopia and wear glasses?
I have 1.50 on my right eye and 0.5 in my left eye so I need surgery in only one but I'm so afraid of the surgery and the complications just because I don't want to use glasses 😢
Tbh I'll do lasik because most people do it and are living their most lives right now. Plus my dad is like 57 and he had lasik like 20 or more years ago and he sees better than me but it's really up to you
PRK disrupts corneal structure affecting epithelium, Bowman's membrane, and anterior stroma. Corneal wound healing is a very complex process. In Lasik its much better. As far as Long run, post-PRK corneal regeneration can occur, where as in Lasik there is a flap . ( if dislodge occurred also can be easily placed on eye with eye drops but its again its very very rare, even clinical experiments have been done with sky diving to check flap.). With corneal regeneration many inflammation and complications can occur throughout the life but with flap dislodge its extremely rare less complication.
What is the corneal thickness required for PRK ? Mine is 487 in left eye and 468 in right eye . My doctor prescribed me 3 eye drops to be used for 14 days after the initial pentacam test. I’ve to visit him again tomorrow and am very nervous that I might not be eligible for any refractive eye procedure
Its fantastic, seems like I have given this gift to myself. My eye power were - 2.0 & - 1.75 (OD & OS) and very little astigmatism Procedure was only 15 min for both eye. 8 hours after surgery was perfect, no pain and vision was also 20/20. Next day morning, my eye started watering, nose also started running, lot of photophobia and pain. This painful period lasts for 4 days, worse in day 2-3,and then pain & photophobia got reliefed. During this time my vision also decreased significantly, can't see mobile, can't message anyone, can't call anyone from my phone and far vision also got worse. On day 5, bandage contact lens was removed by my doctor After day 5-7 things started improving😊, no pain, no watering, no photophobia, yet vision was better but not perfect. Had some night halo around bright object, flare around normal object, and is disturbing in reading books. After 2 weeks of surgery, my vision was almost normal 20/20. Now my vision is supernormal and still improving❤. Regarding dry eye symptoms, after 4-5 days after surgery it's started bothering me, I have to put 1% carboxymethylcellulose drops almost every hourly, and putting 2% carboxymethylcellulose gel in night. Sometime when I wake up in morning, my both eye lid get used to stick together, indicating dry eye symptoms. But after 45 days of surgery, dry eye symptoms also gone, Done Schmier test recently, which is same as preop status, 14 & 12 mm in 5 min duration. So now after almost 2 months follow up, my vision is supernormal, no dryness in eye, no hazing in cornea, no halo, no glare or flare in vision, looks like 🤷🏼😋 Though my doctor told me to continue artifical tear drop and 100% protected UV sunglasses for total of 6 months post surgery and I am following her instructions. My steroid drop duration is over, just using NSAIDS eye drops SOS So overall 1000% satisfied with PRK, suggested to go for this flap less procedure PRK, and avoid LASIK, SMILE/SILK etc as chances of dryness is way to high in flap based procedure. One more advice, take vitamin C & D and/or multivitamin atleast one weak before surgery, because it helps in tissue healing and immunosuppressive (to prevent corneal haze) postoperatively. Life is beautiful, just need to explore it😊....
They gave me steroid eye drop, plus added NSAID drop in bandage contact lenses solution, plus added lignocaine eye drop in my antibiotic eye drop to make my eye pain free. Apart from all this, PCM plus NSAID tablet as well.
@@saurabhsinha4782thanks for kindly responding I want to do this! I had lasik more than 20 years ago before age 40 but at 40 eyes changed. I’m wearing glasses for distance and I’m tired of taking them off to see close. so I’m told prk is best but I scared of recovery time and pain
Hi there, it depends on your surgeon and your other eye conditions. A normal cornea is 500-600 microns thick, I usually want 300 microns left underneath the flap that I make, and I usually make a 120 micron flap at the front of the cornea. So for a -4, barring no other issues, I would like the cornea to start off at 510 microns minimum in thickness. We can adjust the flap thickness a bit, and 300 is conservative, but it is important to make sure the eye is not at risk of ectasia (when the cornea changes shape when it is too thin). Hope that helps!
@@hphridoy839 You would need to ask your surgeon if they would be comfortable with that thickness. I personally would not recommend LASIK, but you can still consider PRK (which has the same visual results within 1 month). Hope that helps!
Hi there, LASIK and PRK are both not great at treating far-sightedness (at least with the technologies we have available in the US). I would not advise either procedure for you. In the future, we will hopefully have something for you!
@@mememantra9631 It really depends. RLE can be an option but there are definite downsides as well (no accomodation for reading so you will need reading glasses). There are some risks including infection with RLE so make sure you go to a reputable surgeon for a consult to see if this is even a good idea. If you can tolerate contact lenses or glasses, I would recommend waiting until your refraction is stable.
@@mememantra9631 If you are dying to be glasses free, I would recommend a consult with a refractive surgeon and see if she/he thinks you might 1) be a candidate for LASIK (even for partial correction) and 2) see if RLE or other procedures are options for you. Definitely ask about the risks, since they are not insignificant. Even with LASIK and RLE, there is a good chance your refraction will change over time so be prepared to need glasses in 10 years or so. Without knowing your eyes, it's really hard for me to recommend to you what to do and what your options are. I hope things go well and that if you choose to have refractive surgery that it goes well for you!
I couldn’t shut my mouth about what medications I am currently taking so they said to come back with a approval from the doctor to do the surgery I deserve it but note to keep your mouth shut and they ask about what medications are you taking and say you don’t take anything
