There are a few corneal conditions that will preclude people from having LASIK. At Colorado Ophthalmology Associates, we can offer you other solutions to help correct your vision.
PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy, is a procedure that is an excellent alternative to LASIK for some patients. The PRK procedure is very similar to LASIK surgery but does not include a corneal flap. The outer layer of the cornea, called the epithelium, is removed before the start of the laser adjustments. These cells will naturally replace themselves over 3-5 days. PRK allows the surgeon to make laser adjustments to the cornea and preserve the greatest amount of corneal thickness.
PRK is a good option for patients who are not good candidates for LASIK due to thin corneas. This method maximizes corneal stability and avoids the rare complications of a corneal flap. The trade-off is that it takes longer for vision to improve.
If you have been told that you are not a candidate for LASIK, and you would like to explore your other vision correction options, please contact our office for a consultation.