PRK: The Original Laser Eye Surgery

It may be hard to believe these days, when everything is “LASIK this” and “that LASIK,” but PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) used to be the most common refractive surgery.

Both are grouped under the umbrella “laser eye surgery,” but each is a little different when it comes to advantages and disadvantages.

LASIK patients have less discomfort and get a good vision faster (PRK improvement is gradual and over a few days or even months), but many surgeons prefer PRK for patients with large pupils or thin corneas.

PRK was invented in the early 1980’s. The first FDA approval for a laser PRK was in 1995, but the procedure is practiced in other countries for years. In fact, many Americans had the surgery in Canada before they are available in the United States.

PRK is done with an excimer laser, which uses a cool beam of ultraviolet light to eliminate precisely ( “ablative”) very tiny pieces of tissue from the surface of the cornea to reshape. At reshape the cornea in the right way, it works better to focus the light in the eye and the retina, providing clearer vision than before.

Both nearsighted and Farsighter people eligible for PRK. With nearsighted people, the goal is to flatten the very steep cornea; Farsighter with people, a steeper cornea is desired. Moreover, excimer laser can correct astigmatism, softened by an irregular cornea into a more normal.
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Before surgery

If you are considering PRK, your first step is to choose a surgeon.

Your doctor will examine your eyes to determine exactly what kind of vision correction that you need and how much laser ablation is needed. A corneal topography will be used, which is an instrument that photographs of their eyes and creates a sort of “map” of his cornea. Nobody has a perfectly rounded cornea, and the surveyor show the cornea and irregularities real or pending flatness that the surgeon must address.

Also the eye doctor will ask about other medical conditions you have. Some conditions may disqualify you as a candidate completely PRK, others may mean a postponement of proceedings or special care afterward.

During surgery

PRK is an outpatient procedure; you walk in the surgery center, have PRK, and walk again. In fact, the actual surgery usually takes less than a minute, and you’re awake all the time. Sometimes the doctor will give an oral mild sedative beforehand.

Most people do not feel pain during the PRK. Your eyes are the first anesthetized with special drops. The doctor will have you lie down, then make sure your eye is placed directly under the laser. (One eye is operated on at once.) One type of restraint is placed over the eye to keep your eyelids open – normally, this is not uncomfortable. It has a suction ring that keeps its eye pressure and immobile.

The doctor uses a computer to adjust the laser for your particular recipe. You will be asked to see a goal light for a short time while he or she watches your computer eye through a microscope to ensure that it stays in the correct position, while the laser sends pulses of light to his to remove corneal tissue pain. It is important to keep your eyes on the viewpoint that goal, to obtain the best results.

The laser machine will make a constant sound of clicking, while the laser pulses are happening, and it is possible that a slightly pungent odor smell tissue during transport. Do not worry, that’s normal.

The higher your recipe, more time will have surgery.

The doctor may prescribe medication for postoperative pain everything, but many people feel no more than mild discomfort or “scratchiness” afterwards.

The surgeon has full control of the laser and can turn it off anytime. After the procedure is finished, it will be for a short time. If you have both eyes done the same day, the surgeon probably do the other eye after a short period of time. Many people choose to have his second eye done a week later.
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After PRK

As with any eye surgery, it is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter. Get adequate rest, filling and use any necessary requirements, and call your doctor immediately if you suspect a problem. What happens after surgery can affect your vision as much as the surgery itself.

Immediately after PRK, the doctor will have to rest a bit, then you can go home (someone must lead). At home, you should relax for at least a couple of hours.

You may be able to go to work the next day, but many doctors advise a couple of days rest instead. They also recommend non-strenuous exercise for up to one week, since this can traumatize the eye and affect healing.

Avoid rubbing your eyes (your doctor will tell you how long). In fact, you will be considered almost every day to make sure the epithelium is healing properly. You probably use a special “bandage” contact lenses, drops to the use of antibiotics for a few days, and implement anti-inflammatory drops for several weeks.

Most people achieve 20/20 or better vision with PRK (also true of LASIK). Some can only achieve 20/40 or not so good. In fact, 20/40 vision is pretty good. In most states, good enough for driving. Some patients may still need glasses or contact lenses after laser vision correction, although their level of prescription will be much smaller than before.

Postoperative complications can include infection and / or night glare (Starbursts or halos that are more noticeable when you are looking at lights at night, as while driving).

Even if you see perfectly after laser eye surgery, you may still need reading glasses or bifocals contact lenses once it reaches its 40. This is because the lens of the eye resistance as they age, a condition called presbyopia. His distance vision, no doubt, crunchy, but watching closely will be more difficult. However, researchers are exploring ways to correct presbyopia surgically. Therefore, it is possible that you could have one of those procedures later, once they are approved by the FDA.

All these are important issues to discuss with your surgeon before deciding on surgery.