Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) compared to photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for correcting short-sightedness

Myopia (short or near-sightedness) is a condition in which light from distant objects is focused in front of the retina instead of on it, resulting in blurred distance vision. Spectacle or contact lens wear are the most commonly used methods of correcting myopia. Both have limitations and contact lens wear is associated with an increased risk of sight-threatening corneal infection. Surgical procedures have been developed to permanently correct myopia. Two commonly used surgical techniques are LASIK and PRK, both of which use laser to remove corneal tissue and reshape the cornea thus reducing its refractive power. This review included six randomised trials comparing LASIK to PRK and found that although LASIK gives a faster visual recovery than PRK, the effectiveness of these two procedures is comparable. We found some evidence that LASIK may be safer than PRK but further research using contemporary techniques and equipment is needed to evaluate this further.