During LASIK, the first step is the creation of a thin flap of corneal tissue with a femtosecond laser in the modern blade-free LASIK. That flap is then carefully folded back so that the excimer laser can reshape the central layer of the cornea, known as the stroma, correcting the patient’s refractive error. The flap is then folded back into place. PRK is similar to LASIK in that an excimer laser is used to reshape the stroma. The primary difference between LASIK and PRK is that in PRK, there is no flap created.
The ideal candidate for wavefront or topography-guided LASIK has had a stable refractive prescription for at least a year and is ready to eliminate their dependency on glasses and/or contacts. Factors that can affect candidacy are the degree of the refractive error as well as the thickness and shape of the cornea.
LASIK may not be right for you if you have the following:
The surgeon administers numbing drops and the surface cells of the cornea, the epithelium, are removed.
The surgeon then applies the excimer laser to reshape the cornea, thereby correcting the refractive error. Intermountain Eye Center uses the Wavelight EX500™ excimer laser, the newest, fastest, most precise vision correction laser in the United States for all LASIK and PRK procedures.
After the excimer laser treatment, the surgeon places a clear, soft contact lens, called a bandage contact lens, on the eye. These special bandage contact lenses do not contain any prescription correction, but simply protect the eye and keep the patient comfortable while the epithelial cells grow back.
Yes. It is one of the safest procedures and has the highest satisfaction rate of any surgery. PRK is safer than wearing contact lenses. Long term contact lens wear increases your risk for vision loss from infection.
The laser is designed to track your eye and head movements. The laser moves with you. If your eye moves too much the laser will temporarily stop and restart where it left off when your eye is back in the correct position.
Your PRK investment is $2250 per eye, or $4500 for both eyes regardless of whether or not you have a high prescription, astigmatism, or need a topography guided treatment. We are the only Idaho practice to publish our prices. Invest in yourself and own your vision instead of renting it from the contact lens and eye glass industry. HSA and FSA accounts can be used to pay for PRK. Financing is also available.
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