What is PRK Eye Surgery? - Refractive Surgery Information
PRK or photorefractive keratectomy eye surgery is a type of refractive surgery used to correct conditions such as astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness by the removal of surface cells on the eye’s cornea. In most cases, PRK has since been replaced by the LASIK procedure, due to fewer complications and speedier healing time. However, many surgeons prefer PRK in circumstances such as when patients have thin corneas.
PRK is performed with an excimer laser, which uses a cool ultraviolet light beam to precisely remove tiny bits of tissue from the surface of the cornea in order to reshape it. This allows light to precisely focus into the eye and onto the retina, providing clearer vision than before.
In order to be eligible for this type of procedure, you must have no major health conditions that are related to vision and must be in general good health. If you are suffering from illnesses that affect vision such as overactive thyroid, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, leukemia, high blood pressure, and artery hardening, you may not be the ideal candidate for this procedure. Other disqualifying factors include being under any medication or prescription drugs that affect vision, or suffering from any virus attack, such as syphilis or the herpes virus to the eye, which can affect vision.
PRK is an in-office procedure that doesn’t require an overnight stay. In fact, the actual surgery usually takes less than a minute, and you're awake the whole time. Your eyes are anesthetized with special drops, and as you lie down, you will be asked to look at a target light for a short time. The laser eye surgeon then uses a laser to send pulses of light to your cornea, painlessly removing the tissue. The higher your prescription, the more time the surgery will take. But even for high prescriptions, the laser treatment generally takes less than a minute. After the procedure is finished, you will rest for a little while and will then be able to return home. Many people choose to have their second eye done a week or two after their first eye.
As with any kind of eye surgery, it's important that you follow your doctor's instructions to the letter. Get proper rest, use all prescribed medications as directed and call your doctor immediately if you suspect a problem.
Contact our Long Island, Smithtown PRK specialist for more information. They will be able to determine if you are a candidate for PRK for LASIK eye surgery.