PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)

In 1995, the Food and Drug Administration gave the go-ahead to photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). This eye surgery procedure may have been new to the US, but it was practiced in several other countries as early as the ‘80s before it was allowed here. Many people from the US were going to Canada to have PRK prior to its introduction. Though LASIK is the most popular laser correction procedure these days, PRK not only predates it, but may be an alternative for those who have been told they are not good candidates for LASIK.

Two types of patients who may not be considered for LASIK are those with thin corneas and pupils that are too large. There can be many complications if the corneal flap created in LASIK is too thin, and patients with large pupils may see starbursts or halos at night after LASIK. PRK nullifies both of these potential, but rare, side effects.

Difference between PRK and LASIK

Both PRK and LASIK may benefit those who are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism. Both are ambulatory surgeries, meaning you can walk into and out of your procedure the same day. Both use an excimer laser. But, PRK does not create a hinged flap in the cornea like LASIK does.

Instead, PRK removes, or ablates, the surface layer of the eye, called the epithelium, completely to get to the stoma beneath it. After surgery, the surface will heal on its own. Though LASIK recovery may not take as long, and discomfort may be more likely with PRK due to the regrowth of the epithelial cells, both surgeries lead to better vision.

Procedure

After an initial consultation with your eye surgeon where you receive a thorough eye exam using wavefront diagnosis, a day will be scheduled for your PRK surgery.

Your PRK surgery may take only a few minutes, but the actual time varies depending on your prescription. During the surgery, anesthetic drops are put into your eyes. Something resembling a suction cup is used to keep your eye immobilized, and one eye is worked on at a time. Unlike LASIK, there is no blade used at all during your eye surgery. The excimer laser ablates the surface of the eye, and the cornea is reshaped based on the mapping done during wavefront diagnosis.

PRK is a highly effective way to regain your vision. Though it may take a little while longer to recover, it has been reported that 95 to 100 percent of PRK patients are able to see without the aid of glasses three months after their surgery.

If you are not a good candidate for LASIK, but believe PRK may work for you, please contact an experienced eye surgeon in your area to schedule an initial eye evaluation.