Some doctors believe
that LASIK is a suitable procedure for correcting the most severe
refractive errors. They also say that there is generally a faster
recovery time after LASIK than after PRK. In addition, LASIK
patients can see well enough to drive immediatelyand have good
vision within a week.
After studying the options,
Goldstein first decided on the LASIK procedure, but was surprised
to learn that her doctor advised against it.
"Initially, I wanted
the quick recovery that LASIK offers," Goldstein says, "but
the bottom line was, which surgery will give me the best results,
and after considering everything, eventually we agreed on PRK."
James Salz is currently
involved in an FDA-sanctioned clinical trial at Cedars-Sinai
MedicalCenter in Los Angeles, which is now studying the laser
system specifically for farsightedness (hyperopia) with astigmatism.
Although routinely performing laser eye surgery, he still encourages
a small percentage of his low to moderately nearsighted patients
to undergo radial keratotomy, or RK, an earlier refractive correction
procedure that does not require the excimer laser.
With RK, incisions are
made in a "radial" pattern along the outer portion
of the cornea using a hand-held blade. These incisions are designed
to help flatten the curvature of the cornea, thereby allowing
light rays entering the eye to properly focus on the retina.
The number and length of the incisions determines the degree
of correction attained.
"Typically, this
is still a practiced procedure for select people with very small
corrections of myopia," Salz says.
Conversely, Crawford
says that although he will mention RK as an option to his patients
considering eye surgery, he is not in favor of this method. He
says studies indicate that incisions made during this procedure,
which penetrate approximately 90 percent of the cornea, appear
to weaken the structure of the eye. Also, once you've had RK
done you can't repeat it or have PRK done.
"I think that patients
should understand and consider all available options for correcting
refractive errors," Crawford says, "but I would never
recommend RK to anyone."
