PRK
PRK(photorefractive keratectomy) is a laser vision correction technique that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1995. PRKuses the excimer laser to precisely reshape the surface of the eye. The San Diego Laser-Vision Eye Center PRK surgeons use the state-of-the-art AMO Star S4 laser to perform PRK correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
How PRK is different from LASIK
PRK surgery requires only the removal of the corneal epithelium prior to the laser treatment. With LASIK, a thin flap of corneal tissue is made prior to the laser treatment. This step of corneal flap creation is not necessary for PRK. Healing and visual recovery after PRK takes a longer time compared to LASIK. Studies have shown that the final visual outcome is comparable between LASIK and PRK.
What happens before PRK Surgery
Before your PRK surgery, you will undergo very careful examination of your ocular surface and prescription by your San Diego Laser-Vision Eye Center surgeon. We will use a corneal topographer to determine your corneal curvature and astigmatism. Also a Wavescan will be performed, calculating your specific prescription on 200 different points on your cornea. In addition to planning your surgery, this information will be used to determine if you are a good candidate for PRK.
During the PRK Procedure
PRK surgery is performed under topical anesthesia with anesthetic eye-drops. At the San Diego Laser-Vision Eye Center, you have the option of taking a relaxing medication (if medically acceptable) prior to the procedure, but this is usually not necessary.
Before starting the surgery, your San Diego Laser-Vision PRK San Diegosurgeon will position you precisely under the state-of-the-art Star S4 Laser device. An instrument will be used to keep your eyelids open during your PRK, which is usually painless.
The PRK starts by using a diluted alcohol solution to loosen the corneal epithelium. After the corneal epithelium has been removed with a blunt instrument, you will hear clicking sounds as the scanning laser re-shapes the surface of your eye. A tracking device tracks the eye constantly during PRK; the surgeon also watches the eye very closely in order to achieve proper alignment. During PRK surgery, your surgeon has control of the laser and can stop or pause the treatment at any time. Usually one eye is done, and the second eye is done in a few minutes later. The length of your treatment depends on the amount of your prescriptions but it is usually less than a minute. At the end of the surgical PRK, your surgeon will place a bandage contact lens on the surface of your eye. This bandage contact lens helps keep the eyes comfortable while they heal and also helps expedite epithelial healing.
After PRK Surgery
After the PRK surgery, your San Diego Laser-Vision Eye Center surgeon places protective goggles on your face. It is very important the you carefully follow all directions after the surgery as this will have a direct impact on your healing. Your vision will be blurred subsequently to your PRK for a few weeks. Most patient will be able function and perform daily activities, and occasionally it is acceptable to go back to normal low-impact work within a few days after surgery. You should avoid rubbing your eyes in order to help epithelial healing after PRK. Also you should assure that your eyes do not come into contact with any contaminated objects in order to avoid postoperative infection.
Your eye drops will usually consist of antibiotic eye drops and anti-inflammatory eye drops. Occasionally, the surgeon can give you some additional pills and eye drops for comfort. You will take antibiotic drops until the epithelium of your cornea heals. After the epithelial healing, you will taper your anti-inflammatory eye drops over a few weeks. Your vision will usually improve over the ensuing months.
The final visual outcome with PRK is similar to LASIK, however, it takes a longer time to arrive at the final visual outcome. Most individuals with otherwise healthy eyes achieve 20/20 vision with PRK similarly to LASIK.
It is possible sometimes that the prescriptions is not fully corrected by PRK. Some patients may need contact lenses or glasses after the healing period. However, this will usually be for a much smaller prescription as compared to their original prescription. About six months to a year after the original PRK, if needed, an ‘enhancement’ PRK procedure can be done to correct a possible residual prescription.
If you are interested in obtaining more information about the surgical PRKor a complementary consultation, you will soon be able to call us or contact us over the internet for an appointment. In the meantime, please be patient as this web-page is still under construction and please feel free to use it as a source of up-to-date information on PRK surgery.
