Medically Reviewed by: Edward C. Wade, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Determining Which Corrective Eye Surgery is Right for You

September 27, 2017 . 4 min read

Half of all Americans have poor eyesight, according to a study from the National Eye Institute. Some studies estimate higher, with 3 out of 4 American adults needing vision correction. With such widespread vision problems, an increasing amount of Americans are exploring different types of corrective eye surgery, including Houston LASIK. You may be wondering, “which eye surgery is best for me?”

When most people think about eye surgery, LASIK is often the first (and only) thing that comes to mind. However, there are other corrective eye surgery options, including PRK and Visian ICL, that may be better for you, depending on your overall eye health, your goals for the surgery, and your eyewear prescription history. Explore options and get the answers you need here.

PRK Laser Eye Surgery

Some people think that laser eye surgery and LASIK eye surgery are interchangeable terms, but nothing could be further from the truth. Laser eye surgery and LASIK are actually two different types of corrective eye surgery.

If you are not a good candidate for LASIK, PRK Eye Surgery may be a better option for you. PRK, or Photo Refractive Keratectomy, is a laser eye surgery that corrects vision problems, including astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness.(See more: PRK eye surgery near me)
Compared to LASIK, PRK is ideal for people with thin corneas or chronically dry eyes.

PRK laser surgery, unlike LASIK, does not require the creation of a new flap of corneal tissue. Instead, the doctor removes the outer layer of the cornea altogether, leaving room for the laser to reshape the cornea and repair the imperfections that distort your vision. While the procedure typically lasts 30 seconds or less, PRK recovery does take a little longer than LASIK recovery. (Further reading: Can you get PRK after LASIK?)

Visian ICL

The Visian Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) is a unique type of corrective eye surgery for people who suffer from extreme nearsightedness and who do not have astigmatism. Unlike LASIK or PRK, Visian ICL is an implant and requires no lasers to treat your cornea. This makes Visian ICL an ideal option for people with thin corneas, chronic dry eye, or high refractive error.

During the ICL procedure, a tiny incision is made in the eye, after which a contact lens is implanted behind your iris. The surgery is reversible and, unlike LASIK or PRK, also provides your eyes with UV protection.

Discover Which Eye Surgery is Best For You at Eye Center of Texas

Ready to experience life without glasses or contacts? Need more help deciding which eye surgery is best for you? Let the best eye surgeons in Houston and Sugar Land guide you to the right vision treatment for your eyes.

Eye Center of Texas is trusted by more than 275 Houston eye doctors. With a range of affordable treatment options, including LASIK, PRK, and ICL, there’s a perfect treatment for you at Eye Center of Texas. Schedule your appointment today to get started.

Want to learn more about LASIK and vision care? Our Texas eye care team and Houston retina specialists answer your questions: LASIK or contact lenses? LASIK healing time, ICL versus LASIK, Can a diabetic get LASIK? Can LASIK correct nearsightedness and farsightedness at the same time?