Why is LASIK surgery so popular if PRK surgery is so much better?

As I understand it, LASIK involves cutting a flap out of your corneal layer (which can fold out again – *scary*!). However, PRK doesn’t involve any cutting, but “re-shapes” the eye with lasers.

PRK is not “better” than lasik. they are just different.

LASIK has a significantly faster healing time, which is why it is more popular. most people can return to work/school seeing well & not in pain 2 days after LASIK. not so with PRK, which takes weeks to heal & is more uncomfortable. as you pointed out, PRK has no “flap”, but it is much more likely to have corneal “haze” that needs to be treated.

each of them have their merits & disadvantages (there are more than i just listed). you should discuss your options with your doc. but its kind of silly IMO to announce that PRK is “better” than LASIK. i do not consider that to be true at all. theyre different.

both PRK & LASIK are significantly better than RK, which you likely not talk any US doc into performing on you in 2010