Which procedure has advantages for active lifestyles, prk or lasik? i know there are two main methods for correcting my vision, prk and lasik. i am really concerned about long-term side-effects because i play beach volleyball in the summer. what are the d

Both : Both can be appropriate for active lifestyles. That being said if you think there is a higher likelihood of corneal trauma (like a finger poke to the eye) then prk is slightly safer because no flap is created. When you create a lasik flap the advantage is that the flap many times can be relifted for a retreatment years later. However that also means that the flap can be accidentally lifted in trauma and require urgent surgical revision. Prk hurts a little more for about 3-4 days and there is slightly higher risk of regression (loss of the surgical effect). But no flap is created. So, the choice is one to make with your surgeon depending on what kind of risks (albeit small) that you would like to take.

PRK : Prk and lasik have essentially identical long-term results. Prk typically takes about four days to heal and that means with your eyes closed for all but a few minutes a day in order to heal as quickly as possible. The nice thing about prk is that there is no flap involved; the downside is slower healing. For those whose lives involve a high chance of serious eye trauma such as seen in boxers, those seriously involved in contact sports such as basketball or those likely to be in combat, prk may be a better option. A lasik flap can always move if there is enough trauma. In most people, such trauma would be extremely unlikely and if it did occur, generally not hard to repair. For most, the ease of lasik tremendously outweighs the slightly increase risks. Mark i. Golden, md, facs, fics doctors for visual freedom the john hancock center 875 north michigan avenue suite 1550 chicago, il 60611 312-291-9680 312-291-9957 fax drmark@doctorsforvisualfreedom.Com www.Doctorsforvisualfreedom.Com.

PRK : For patients concerned about the flap used with lasik, prk is a great option. Either procedure should be fine with volleyball once healed.