Refractive error has become a widespread issue. It can happen for several reasons, including lens aging, environmental factors, lens thickness, the shape of the cornea, and so on. Whatever the reason, people who suffer from refractive errors face lots of problems while performing day-to-day activities. Advanced eye surgeries, such as contoura vision LASIK surgery and PRK come in handy in such a situation. Among several eye surgeries, Epi-contoura and PRK are the most popular ones. These procedures correct impaired vision caused by refractive errors or corneal surface irregularities. However, understanding the differences between these two procedures is crucial to make an informed decision. Both feature different procedures, treatment plans, eligibility, recovery time, etc. If you are confused between epi-contoura and PRK methods, we will help you determine the right fit. So, keep reading this article to learn their key characteristics and differences so you can make a well-informed decision. Let’s dive in…
What Is Epi-Contoura Surgery?
Epi-contoura surgery is an advanced and innovative laser surgery used for correcting refractive errors, including nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. Contoura vision LASIK surgery is a cutting-edge procedure known for its flapless technique. It allows a skilled eye surgeon to precisely reshape the cornea and correct irregularities or refractive errors, eliminating the risk of flaps. It initially starts with the creation of the corneal map, which includes all the imperfections on its surface. Eye surgeons perform this surgery using high-precision laser beams. These beams are sent to your retina, allowing surgeons to remove imperfections and help you achieve the improved vision that you long for. In contrast to traditional LASIK surgery, epi-contoura is safer and more effective. Moreover, it offers a high level of customization to ensure optimal results.
Ideal for: Epi-Contoura is considered ideal for candidates with higher-order aberrations, such as blurred vision, poor night vision, and contrast sensitivity
What Is PRK Surgery?
Also known as photorefractive keratectomy, PRK surgery is preferable for candidates with thin or flat corneas. Besides this, it is often recommended to those patients who are not fit for Epi-contoura surgery or LASIK treatment. During this surgery, the surgeon precisely removes the external layer of the cornea called epithelium. This is a vital step before reshaping the cornea. After the PRK surgery, the surgeon places a soft contact lens over the eye to ensure epithelium’s faster healing. Similar to Epi-Contoura, PRK surgery is also FLAP-LESS. Yes, eye surgeons are not required to create a flap to reshape the cornea. However, your recovery from the PRK surgery is longer because the external surface of the cornea needs time to regenerate.
Ideal for: This treatment is ideal for athletes or patients with active lifestyles as it lacks flap-related complications.
Epi Contoura vs. PRK Surgery – The Comparison
While both epi-contours and PRK surgery are safe and effective, knowing their difference is vital to making a well-informed decision. Here are the differences between these two most effective eye surgeries. Take a look…
1. Surgical Approach
Epi-contoura is a non-surgical treatment performed without cuts or flaps. During the procedure, the surgeon uses an advanced topography-guided ablation. With the help of high-precision laser beams, they correct refractive errors or irregularities, ensuring no complications.
PRK Surgery is an outpatient procedure. In this procedure, eye surgeons surgically remove the epithelium, the cornea’s outermost layer. The surgeon numbs the eyes with the help of numbing eye drops so the patient does not feel pain or discomfort during the surgery.
2. Corneal Integrity
Epi-contoura aims to preserve the corneal integrity while ensuring its smoother and more regular surface. It does not involve the risk of flap displacement or other surgical complications.
PRK Surgery uses an excimer laser to reshape the cornea’s surface, leaving tissues intact. It prevents the risk of flap-related injuries on the cornea post-treatment.
3. Recovery Time
Epi-contoura offers faster recovery compared to other advanced eye surgeries, including PRK surgery. This is because contoura vision LASIK surgery eliminates the healing time needed for the epithelium layer to heal. Often, patients start noticing improvements in their vision within one or two days.
PRK Surgery, on the other hand, takes a lot of time to heal. The external surface layer of the cornea takes about 3 to 5 days to heal. However, doctors prescribe eye drops and other medications to promote PRK recovery and healing. The prescribed medications prevent the risk of inflammation and infection post-treatment. In the initial days, you may experience blurry vision. Your vision starts to improve by the fifth day after the surgery. However, it takes around 3 months to notice full recovery.
4. Candidacy
Epi-contoura is ideal for people with higher-order aberrations. Additionally, those who wish to undergo a non-invasive procedure can also opt for this treatment. It delivers excellent results. Moreover, people choose this treatment because it has minimum risk, faster recovery time, and it offers optimal results.
PRK Surgery is ideal for candidates with thin or flat corneas. However, the refractive eye surgeon or ophthalmologist thoroughly evaluates the eyes based on their specific characteristics and requirements. Based on their in-depth analysis, they recommend the best treatment.
5. Risk
Epi-contoura is an excellent procedure for corrective refractive errors. However, it is crucial that an experienced surgeon only performs contoura vision LASIK surgery. They utilize both their experience and expertise to ensure safe vision correction. It is one of the safest vision correction methods available out there. This technique does not involve the risks associated with the flaps, like displacement, infection, inflammation, or irregular healing. Besides this, it uses the laser to remove the epithelium layer, ensuring much precision and safety. However, it carries some risks like dry eyes, glare and halos, haze, infection, corneal ectasia, or discomfort. Most of these side effects are temporary and go away all by themselves. However, you are suggested to consult your doctor if these side effects persist.
PRK Surgery is riskier than the epi-contoura because of its invasive nature. The patient may experience vision changes, corneal haze, glare and halos, ectasia, dry eyes, infection, night vision problems, corneal scarring, etc. In a rare case scenario, the patient may even experience severe side effects, including pus, swelling, or pain. If you face any of these symptoms after the PRK surgery, immediately visit your ophthalmologist for prompt intervention.
6. Visual Results
Epi-contoura offers outstanding outcomes, such as sharper vision, improved night vision, and reduced higher-order aberrations. It is especially effective for patients with corneal irregularities.
PRK Surgery also provides excellent vision outcomes. However, it takes a longer recovery time compared to the epi-contoura surgery.
7. Technology Used
Epi-contoura uses cutting-edge topography-guided technology that helps map the cornea precisely. The topography gives a comprehensive view of the corneal surface and its unique irregularities.
PRK Surgery is a conventional treatment that has been there for years. It uses an excimer laser to correct the vision.
8. Treatment Plan
Epi-contoura provides a more personalized treatment plan than other refractive angle correction methods.
PRK Surgery’s treatment plan largely depends on the surgeon’s experience, eye issues, and specific eye characteristics.
Which Vision Correction Method is Right for You?
The suitability of the vision correction method largely depends on the kind of eye issues you are struggling with. Moreover, experienced eye doctors determine the correct method after thoroughly evaluating your eyes. They will conduct a few eye tests to tailor the treatment plan to your lifestyle and refractive error. Hence, you’re advised to consult an experienced and skilled doctor to know which eye surgery is ideal for you. Moreover, know the efficiency and potential risks involved in each procedure before undergoing any treatment.
Putting it all together…
So, there you have it: the difference between epi-contoura and PRK. Hopefully, this article has been informative for you and helped you choose the right treatment. No matter which eye treatment you choose, it is vital to visit a reputable eye clinic. Plan My Lasik is a reputable eye clinic. We have a team of highly skilled and experienced eye doctors. Our doctors will first evaluate your overall eye health before determining which procedure is right for you. Both contoura vision LASIK surgery and PRK surgery are excellent methods to correct vision. Epi-contoura is a non-invasive procedure that involves the mapping of the cornea with the support of an advanced computer system. Conversely, PRK is a more invasive procedure that surgically removes the cornea’s outermost layer. However, both deliver excellent results. Still, we suggest you visit PlanMyLasik to learn about these procedures in detail. We can help you choose the best option depending on your specific requirements.
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