PRK

PRK or Photo-Refractive Keratectomy treats refractive errors by removing tissue from the surface of the cornea

PRK removes tissue from the surface of the cornea to help the eye focus more directly on the retina.

First, your eye is numbed using a topical, or eye drop anesthesia. Then, our surgeon removes the epithelium, a thin layer of protective skin that covers the cornea. This may be done with either a blade, a brush or even the excimer laser.

During the actual procedure, you will stare at a fixation light. Utilizing the excimer laser, your surgeon will remove the proper amount of tissue, consequently reshaping the surface of the cornea and improving your vision. .

After the PRK, the flatter cornea causes images to focus more directly on the retina.

After PRK, a bandaid contact lens is generally placed on the cornea. Because the epithelium was removed, patients may experience blurry vision for three to five days and a moderate amount of discomfort until the epithelium heals and covers the treated area. Eye drops, medicine and possibly a contact lens are effective in reducing this postoperative discomfort. Final visual results may be fully realized anywhere from several days to a few months or more as the surface heals in accordance to each individual's healing tendencies.

PRK is most often used to treat low to moderate amounts of nearsightedness and astigmatism.

Top 10 Reasons for Refractive Surgery

1. Freedom from glasses and contacts.
2. Save recurring expense of glasses and contacts.
3. Save time each day to maintain contacts.
4. Wake up in the morning and see the clock.
5. Swim and still see things.
6. Spontaneously go camping or stay overnight somewhere.
7. Take a nap and not have to worry about removing contacts or glasses.
8. See while showering, putting on make-up or shaving.
9. Participate in outdoor activities without glasses that fog or get splashed with water.
10. Avoid consequences of long-term contact lense wear

Click here to compare LASIK with the PRK procedure.