Hello: I have -8.0 in my right eye and -7.5 in my left. I have been considering PRK but have read that for high myopia the risks for "after glare" and eventual vision loss are higher.

On the other hand, I have heard that PRK is safer as there is no cut to the cornea.

Please advise....

Both PRK and LASIK are very effective surgeries for patients with myopia. Both procedures have their advantages and disadvantages. As well, they both have their particular risks.
For a patient with 8 diopters of myopia, the advantage of LASIK is that the recovery can be within hours. It is not uncommon for patients to have LASIK on both eyes and the next day be able to drive a car. Generally, patients will have minimal to no discomfort. With PRK, generally only one eye is done at a time. With each eye, there is a 3 to 5 day recovery period. As well, there is also an extended healing period which can last for days to weeks as the corneal surface heals. During the initial 3 days after PRK, there is some discomfort and photosensitivity, and basically you would need to rest at home as the eye healed.
As for risks - both procedures have risks of infections - although the risk for infection is slightly higher with PRK due to the extended healing process. With LASIK, there are some risks of flap problems - but most of these problems if they do occur either do not effect vision, or can be fixed. With PRK, the biggest risk is corneal haze, which can occur months after the procedure. The haze can affect vision occasionally, and the risk of developing haze is related to the level of myopia. As well, ultraviolet light exposure can exacerbate the haze, so it is important to wear UV-protective sunglasses after PRK. In general for a person with 8 diopters of myopia, the risk of visually-significant haze is on the very low side.
In summary - there are risks to both, and advantages to both. The reason that LASIK has become so popular is because it can seem to many people like a miracle - as the visual recovery is so fast. But people who get PRK also get excellent visual results.
One of the keys when considering these procedures is to find a highly qualifed refractive surgeon who can carefully discuss your options. Make sure that you get a chance to talk with the potential surgeons, as they are the one's that are best able to discuss all of the advanatages and disadvantages of each.
I am in practice in South Miami/Kendall at Baptist Hospital, and would be happy to answer any specific questions that you might have regarding PRK or LASIK.

Best of luck

Bill Trattler, MD
Miami, FL
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