Thousands of Canadians choose laser eye surgery for vision correction. Whether you’re tired of contact lenses or ready to slip off your eyeglasses, you probably have questions. What can you expect during surgery? After surgery? Years later?
At Westmount Optometrists, we offer consultations so we can help answer your questions. With us on your team, we can support you through pre- and post-operative care. At your consultation, we can assess if you’re a good candidate for laser eye surgery and which type may be a suitable option.
Laser eye surgery is a popular option for correcting refractive errors, including myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. Although most people think of LASIK, another popular option is PRK. In Canada, most procedures for laser eye surgery are based on either LASIK or PRK.
Results, procedure duration, and initial recovery time for LASIK and PRK are typically similar. LASIK and PRK procedures usually last 10–20 minutes per eye. Wavefront-guided LASIK and PRK share many of the same steps as standard laser surgery, but with the addition of innovative technology to achieve customized vision correction.
Although many laser eye surgeries seem similar, there are differences. Depending on your eye anatomy, prescription, and lifestyle, one option may be more suitable than the other.
Both PRK and LASIK involve cutting the cornea, which is the transparent part of the eye that covers the iris, and removing corneal tissue with a laser to correct refractive errors. The techniques used in PRK and LASIK differ, which can result in variations in healing, risks, and other factors.
A consultation is your chance to learn more about which type may benefit your vision. Our eye doctors at Westmount Optometrists can evaluate eye health and discuss your lifestyle to determine an appropriate option for your eyes.
Wavefront-guided LASIK is a custom-LASIK method that bases the laser’s movements on the patient’s unique eye measurements. Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is the most popular choice for laser eye surgery. The procedure begins when the surgeon cuts a flap in the cornea. The flap is then carefully folded away.
With wavefront-guided LASIK, a computer-guided laser removes corneal tissue based on the patient’s customized eye measurements and prescription. Afterward, the flap is placed back.
After the surgery, patients may temporarily experience blurry vision, which typically improves by the following day. Patients can return to most activities within 3 days and strenuous activity (including sports) within 4 weeks. Most patients fully recover within 2–3 months.
Some risks of LASIK include:
Photo-refractive keratectomy (PRK) was introduced before LASIK and is still common today. Wavefront-guided PRK is similar to standard PRK, but the laser process is customized to the patient’s unique eye measurements. As a result, vision correction is more accurate than standard PRK.
PRK surgery begins with the surgeon removing the epithelium (the thin outer layer of the cornea). Then, a computer-guided laser removes corneal tissue based on the patient’s custom eye measurements and prescription.
Removing the outer layer, rather than cutting a flap, reduces the risk of infection or flap complications. However, it can increase recovery time, with initial discomfort lasting up to 3 days after surgery, initial healing within 1 week, and full recovery within 3 months.
Risks of PRK can include:
Although your eye surgeon will meet with you immediately after surgery, we will provide complete post-operative laser vision correction care.
As your dedicated eye care team, we’ll check up on your health and sight for the long term. The frequency of follow-up appointments will depend on how well you’re healing.
If you experience any complications after laser eye surgery, we’ll be here for support. We’re one call away if you have questions about your eyes, whether it be weeks or years after your surgery.
Don’t hesitate to give us a call when you’re considering laser eye surgery! We’d be happy to answer your questions and assess if you’re a good candidate. Whether you’re eager to get started or are simply satisfying your curiosity, we will point you in the right direction.
Contact us for a consultation today.
At the corner of Springbank Drive and Wonderland Road, our clinic offers plenty of parking out front.
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