LASIK vs. PRK vs. ICL™
Which is right for me?
At Alliance Vision Institute in Fort Worth Dallas and DFW, TX, we understand that no two patients are alike. Each patient’s eyes, lifestyle, and goals are unique, which is why we offer a full range of vision correction options.
When you come to see us for a consultation, a specialist from our team will take the time to carefully describe the benefits of each vision correction procedure as it relates to your unique anatomy, lifestyle, and goals. In the meantime, you might be interested in learning a little about some of the most popular vision correction options we offer.
The video below is a great place to start, and we’ve also provided the information that our patients find most informative when they consider their vision correction options.
Vision Correction Options
LASIK
LASIK is the procedure most patients think of when they consider vision correction surgery. During LASIK (laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis), a flap is made on the patient’s cornea and a laser is used to make precise changes to the shape of the cornea, improving vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
At Alliance Vision Institute, we perform all-laser LASIK for superior precision and accuracy.
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What is the LASIK Success Rate?
American Refractive Surgery Council
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Up to 90%
of our patients achieve vision that is 20/20 or better after LASIK laser vision correction!
PRK
Like LASIK, PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) is a laser vision correction procedure that involves reshaping the cornea to help patients achieve clearer vision. PRK and LASIK have comparable rates of success and
Trusted Source
A Comparison of Visual Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction Between Photorefractive Keratectomy and Femtosecond Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis
Hashmani N, Hashmani S, Ramesh P, et al
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patient satisfaction
, but PRK may be a better option for certain patients.
A key difference between LASIK and PRK is the way the surgeon accesses the patient’s cornea. During LASIK, a tiny incision is made to create a flap in the cornea prior to reshaping. During PRK, an alcohol solution is used to dissolve the entire outer layer (epithelium) of the cornea before the cornea is reshaped. This approach makes PRK more suitable for patients who have thinner corneas or who have active lifestyles that may cause a corneal flap to dislodge.
Because the entire outer layer of the cornea is dissolved during PRK, this period does have a longer recovery time than LASIK, and it takes a bit longer to notice the full results. Still, PRK is a safe and highly effective way for patients who may not be candidates for LASIK to achieve excellent vision.
EVO ICL
EVO ICL is an exciting vision correction option that many of our patients may not have heard about. The EVO ICL is an Implantable Collamer™ Lens that works in complete harmony with the human eye. It is implanted behind the iris, helping patients nearsightedness and/or astigmatism achieve sharp,
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Comparison of implantable contact lens and laser assisted in situ keratomileusis for moderate to high myopia
Sanders DR, Vukich JA
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clear vision
.
Because the cornea is not altered during EVO ICL implantation, this is a great vision correction option for patients who may not qualify for LASIK because they have
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Management of myopic astigmatism with phakic intraocular lens implantation
Gimbel HV, Ziémba SL
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thin corneas
. The EVO ICL also doesn’t cause dry eye, which is a side effect of many vision correction procedures, and affords patients excellent night vision. In addition to these benefits, EVO ICL comes with built-in UV protection, and can be reversed if a patient’s vision needs change in the future.
Which Vision Correction Option is Best for Me?
Each of these popular vision correction procedures results in significant vision improvement for our patients in the Fort Worth Dallas and DFW, TX area. In fact, many of our patients can stop wearing glasses or contacts altogether after vision correction surgery! The best way to find out if LASIK, PRK, or EVO ICL is right for you is to discuss your options with an ophthalmologist you trust. To learn more about how the team at Alliance Vision Institute can help you see the world more clearly, contact us to schedule a consultation with an experienced vision correction surgeon.
Are You a Candidate for Vision Correction?
1 American Refractive Surgery Council. What is the LASIK Success Rate? Available: https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/laser-eye-surgery-LASIK-success-rate/. Accessed May 4, 2023.
2Hashmani N, Hashmani S, Ramesh P, et al. A Comparison of Visual Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction Between Photorefractive Keratectomy and Femtosecond Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. Cureus. 2017;9(9):e1641. Published 2017 Sep 1. doi:10.7759/cureus.1641. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5665689/. Accessed May 4, 2023.
3Chiam NPY, Mehta JS. Comparing Patient-Reported Outcomes of Laser In Situ Keratomileusis and Small-Incision Lenticule Extraction: A Review. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila). 2019 Sep-Oct;8(5):377-384. doi: 10.1097/APO.0000000000000258. PMID: 31478935; PMCID: PMC6784778. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31478935/. Accessed May 5, 2023.
4Sanders DR, Vukich JA. Comparison of implantable contact lens and laser assisted in situ keratomileusis for moderate to high myopia. Cornea. 2003 May;22(4):324-31. doi: 10.1097/00003226-200305000-00009. PMID: 12792475. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12792475/. Accessed May 4, 2023.
5Gimbel HV, Ziémba SL. Management of myopic astigmatism with phakic intraocular lens implantation. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2002 May;28(5):883-6. doi: 10.1016/s0886-3350(01)01098-7. PMID: 11978472. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11978472/. Accessed May 4, 2023.
The doctors at Alliance Vision Institute have reviewed and approved this content.
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