{"id":20632,"date":"2022-02-22T08:35:53","date_gmt":"2022-02-22T08:35:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=20632"},"modified":"2022-02-22T08:35:53","modified_gmt":"2022-02-22T08:35:53","slug":"what-to-do-if-lasik-is-not-an-option","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/optical\/guide-to-laser-refractive-surgery\/what-to-do-if-lasik-is-not-an-option\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Do if LASIK Is Not an Option?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you been told you don\u2019t qualify for LASIK eye surgery? Consider these alternative methods of vision correction instead.<\/b><\/h2>\n

LASIK surgery<\/a> has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many people choosing this type of corrective eye surgery to achieve clear vision without the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses.<\/a><\/p>\n

But LASIK surgery isn\u2019t suitable for everyone, and certain corneal and eye conditions<\/a> can prevent you from being a candidate for this type of procedure<\/b>.<\/p>\n

If your eye doctor has told you that you\u2019re not a candidate for LASIK, here are three other options to explore.<\/p>\n

1. PRK laser\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

PhotoRefractive Keratectomy (PRK)<\/a> is another type of laser procedure used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.<\/p>\n

Your eye doctor may recommend PRK if you have thin or irregular corneas, a predisposition to dry eye syndrome<\/a>, or if your lifestyle puts you at a greater risk for eye injuries.<\/p>\n

What to expect during and after a PRK procedure<\/h3>\n

PRK laser surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure, under light sedative and topical anesthesia. The surgery is often performed on both eyes at the same time.<\/p>\n

During the procedure, the outer layer of your cornea<\/a>, the epithelium, will be removed, and the inner layers of your cornea reshaped with a laser.<\/p>\n

Afterwards, a contact lens will be placed over your cornea to function as a bandage for the next few days, as your eye heals and the epithelium regrows.<\/p>\n

Recovery from PRK laser surgery generally takes a few days, and eye pain or discomfort post surgery is well managed with medications and eye drops.<\/p>\n

Most eye doctors recommend taking at least a week off from work and refraining from driving, until your eyes are fully healed.<\/p>\n

It can take a few weeks for your vision to stabilize, but PRK can help you achieve the same long lasting results as LASIK.<\/p>\n

SEE RELATED: <\/b>Alternatives to LASIK<\/a><\/p>\n

If you have been told that LASIK is not for you, speak to an eye doctor near you about alternative options.<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n\n\t

\n\t\t

Find an eye doctor near you<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t
\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t