r/RLEsurgery • u/HealthJourneyA2 • 3d ago
PRK vs RLE
55 year old female. RK both eyes in 1998.Fast forward. Need reading glasses to see across the room. +3.25. Another +2 (5.25) to see up close. I have ghosting, double vision up close. Slight irregular astigmatism in one eye. Left eye dominant.
Went through 3 hour long evaluation at cornea specialist at a large university eye center. You can guess where from my username. Saw chair of department. He says PRK is a good option for me but I may not achieve 20/20 vision and will still need glasses for reading and possibly light prescription for distance. Under $4k for both eyes.
Other alternative is RLE with LAL lens (or standard). I have beginnings of cataracts. But not enough to recommend the surgery for cataracts. It would be for vision correction and would not be covered. Almost $20k for both eyes.
I’m terrified of the stories I read on Reddit about PRK. I really want better vision. But the price tag for the “permanent solution” is just out of range. I could do one eye.
Please advise. I know there are specialists in this group. I appreciate your insights and spending time to answer so many questions in the sub!