Comparing 3 Laser Eye Surgeries: LASIK, PRK, and SMILE

Find Out if You Qualify for One of These Kansas City Laser Eye Surgeries

Although it may be the most well-known laser corrective eye surgery, LASIK isn’t your only option for getting rid of glasses or contact lenses. If you find out during your consultation that you don’t qualify for LASIK, two procedures offer comparable results:

• Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA), also known as Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK).
• Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE).

Before you schedule your laser eye surgery consultation, gain an understanding of the similarities and differences between LASIK, SMILE, and ASA/PRK. Durrie Vision wants you to feel fully informed and look forward to laser surgery, no matter what option is recommended for you.

Get To Know LASIK

During LASIK surgery, your surgeon uses a laser to create a thin flap in the cornea (the clear, front layer of your eye). This flap allows your surgeon to reshape the corneal tissue to correct your vision.

What LASIK treats: This well-known procedure corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

Eligibility: You must be at least 18 years old, have a stable vision prescription, and have sufficient corneal thickness to allow your surgeon to perform your procedure effectively.

Procedure time: Expect your LASIK procedure to last 10 to 15 minutes.

Recovery time: Recovery time for LASIK is quick, and most patients are back to their everyday routine after their one-day post-operative exam. The results of LASIK are evident for many patients in a matter of hours after surgery.

Explore these FAQS about LASIK.

Comparing Advanced Surface Ablation (PRK) and LASIK

ASA/PRK is a laser corrective eye surgery that reshapes the cornea’s surface without creating a corneal flap.

What PRK treats: Like LASIK, ASA/PRK corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. You must be at least 18 and have a stable prescription to have this surgery.

When PRK is recommended: Although ASA/PRK and LASIK correct the same vision conditions, PRK is best for patients with:

• Thinner corneas, corneal scarring, or previous eye surgery, which prevent your surgeon from safely making a corneal flap.
• Occupations with a higher risk of eye injury, as the flap made during LASIK may cause complications if the eye experiences trauma.

Procedure: Much like LASIK and SMILE, your PRK procedure will only take 10 to 15 minutes.

Recovery time: Recovery time for PRK is longer, as the cornea needs more healing time after surgery.

Learn more about ASA/PRK.

Comparing SMILE and LASIK

SMILE is a minimally invasive procedure with LASIK-like results. Using a laser, your surgeon removes a disc-shaped piece of tissue (a lenticule) from within your cornea, allowing them to reshape the cornea and correct your vision.

What SMILE treats: SMILE corrects mild to moderate nearsightedness or astigmatism. Unlike LASIK, SMILE does not treat farsightedness.

When SMILE is recommended: Patients 18 or older with a stable vision prescription may be eligible for SMILE. This procedure is recommended for those with:

• A mild or moderate prescription when compared with those who are eligible for LASIK.
• Limited corneal thickness or irregular shape, which may prevent your Kansas City laser eye surgery team from performing LASIK without complications.

Procedure time: Expect your SMILE procedure to take about 10 to 15 minutes, just like LASIK.

Recovery time: Most patients return to normal daily activities after their one-day post-operative exam and begin to notice results over the next few days.

Get to know SMILE.

Take a Quick Laser Eye Surgery Eligibility Test

Before you visit your Kansas City laser eye surgery provider for an eye exam and consultation to find out what’s best for you, there are steps you can take at home.

Durrie Vision offers a self-candidacy test that sends instant results directly to you. Simply answer the questions to the best of your ability and find out what laser corrective eye surgery you most likely qualify for.

Although this test isn’t an official diagnostic tool, it will help you learn more about vision correction procedures and allow you to prepare questions to ask during your laser eye surgery consultation.

You may also find that you qualify for a procedure other than SMILE, LASIK, and PRK, including refractive lens exchange, refractive cataract surgery, and EVO ICL™, all of which are available at Durrie Vision.

Try our self-candidacy test here.

Find Out What’s Best for Your Eyes by Scheduling Your Laser Eye Surgery Consultation

The team at Durrie Vision looks forward to helping you find a laser eye surgery solution that lets you get rid of your contacts or glasses and the continuous expenses that come with them. Soon you’ll be free to enjoy daily life more than ever before.

Give yourself the lifestyle upgrade and savings you deserve by scheduling your free consultation at Durrie Vision today.