PRK
(Surface Ablation)
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Photorefractive
Keratectomy (PRK), also called Surface Ablation, is an
outpatient laser vision correction surgery procedure, similar to
LASIK.
PRK eye surgery uses an Excimer laser to reshape
the cornea, and no blades are used.
PRK has been around
since 1987 and is now the most popular vision corrective eye
surgery today, along with LASIK, for nearsightedness (myopia),
farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism.
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How does PRK work?
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You may be familiar with the
process behind LASIK surgery, but do you know how
PRK surgery works?
The procedure changes the shape of the cornea using a laser to remove
thin layers of tissue at the front of the eye just like LASIK. However,
the difference is that while LASIK involves creating a flap in the
cornea to reveal the corneal tissue underneath, PRK does not involve
creating a flap. Instead, in PRK, the thin, outermost layer covering the
cornea (called the epithelium) is brushed away, to reveal the corneal
tissue underneath. The VISX excimer laser then reshapes the corneal
tissue according to your prescription. Whereas in LASIK, the flap is
laid back down on to the corneal bed and allowed to heal, in PRK, the
epithelium is allowed to grow back and heal naturally, which takes about
3-7 days.
Since every eye is unique, Dr. Tracy maps your eyes
during your consultation, and again before the procedure if appropriate.
The PRK procedure itself takes about 10 minutes per eye. After PRK
surgery, San Diego ophthalmologist Dr. Tracy applies a clear contact
lens to protect the eye while the epithelium is allowed to heal. To
avoid pain and swelling, Dr. Tracy will prescribe medications and eye
drops. |
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Are You a PRK Candidate? |
| PRK is a great alternative to
LASIK , especially if you are not considered a LASIK candidate due to
thin corneas. The laser will be reshaping the cornea, so a certain
amount of corneal tissue is required for the treatment to leave you with
a sufficiently thick corneal bed. PRK is also a good alternative to
LASIK for people who are active, as there is no risk of displacing a
corneal flap. |
Ideal candidates for PRK
include:
• Patients who are not candidates for LASIK
because of corneal thickness
• Patients with large pupils
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Patients who have had previous eye surgery |
| Before and
After PRK: What to Expect |
Dr. Tracy
specializes in PRK Laser Eye Surgery.Dr. Tracy will perform a
series of tests to make sure your eyes are healthy and that you
are a good candidate for refractive surgery.
He will test
for disqualifying conditions and ask questions about your health
and lifestyle. Dr. Tracy will use a machine called a corneal
topographer to electronically map your eye.
He will test
your vision and determine your refractive error. If all of your
tests appear normal, then you may choose to proceed with PRK.
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After the surgery, Dr. Tracy
will place a clear contact lens on the eye. This lens will be removed at
your post-operative appointment about a week later. During this time,
you will use eye drops to prevent infection and inflammation.
The
day of your surgery, you need to have someone drive you home. The next
day, you will also need someone to drive you to your 1-day post-op exam.
You will need to take 2-4 days off work, depending on your rate of
healing. You must follow your post-operative instructions, administering
any eye drops when necessary.
You will be given eye shields or
goggles to wear when sleeping for the first week to ensure that you
don’t rub your eyes during sleep. Dr. Tracy will see you again in 1
week, to ensure that your epithelium has completely healed and to remove
the contact lens. He will then see you at your 1-month, 3-month, and
6-month post-op visits.
knowing what to expect before and after
PRK surgery can help you heal faster, safer, and more comfortably. |
PRK FAQs
Q: Are there any
risks involved with PRK?
A; There are always potential risks
with any surgical procedure. During the refractive surgery evaluation
process, risks and complications will be discussed in detail with Dr.
Tracy. The most common risk of PRK is the development of corneal haze,
but this is greatly reduced with the use of Mitomycin-C during the
procedure.
Q: Will I have to wear glasses after surgery?
A: If you are over the age of 40, and thus presbyopic, you will need
reading glasses if your procedure fixes both of your eyes for distance
vision. People over the age of 40 may consider Monovision, in which one
eye (usually the dominant eye) is fixed for distance vision, and the
other eye is fixed for near vision. This will allow the patient to see
both distance and near without glasses. Younger patients whose eyes are
fixed for distance can accommodate to read. However, as they grow older,
they will become presbyopic and will eventually need reading glasses.
Q: How long does the procedure take?
A:
The actual procedure takes approximately 10 minutes per eye. Pre- and
post-operative care will require that you be at the surgery center
approximately one to two hours.
Q: When will my vision become
clear and stable after surgery?
A: PRK takes a few days more to
recover than after LASIK because the epithelium needs to grow back and
heal. Typically, at 1 week, you will be at the point a post-LASIK
patient would be after one or two days. In both LASIK and PRK, the
vision continues to improve as the corneal tissue continues to heal over
the next few weeks, and your vision will become more stable. In both
LASIK and PRK, it may take up to 6 months for the vision to completely
stabilize, depending on your age, the size of your treatment, whether
the treatment was for myopia or hyperopia, and your individual healing
rate.
Q: Is PRK surgery painful?
A: Your eye is numbed
with eye drops, and you will feel minimal discomfort during the
procedure.
Q: Will I experience pain immediately after surgery?
A: Patients may experience a gritty sensation with some light
sensitivity, some discomfort, and tearing for approximately three to
five days. Eye drops and medications are prescribed to relieve any
potential pain.
Q: What will I experience after PRK surgery?
A: After PRK, you may experience glare and light sensitivity, which
should improve in time. As the cornea continues to heal, vision should
continue to improve.
Q: When can I return to work after surgery?
A: You can usually return to work in about 2-4 days after PRK,
depending on your healing rate and amount of treatment.
Q: What
should I expect for follow-up care after my PRK procedure?
A: You will have a post-op appointment the day after surgery. Then you
will have follow-up visits at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months.
Q: What will I experience after PRK
surgery?
A: After PRK, you may experience glare and
light sensitivity, which should improve in time. As the cornea continues
to heal, vision should continue to improve.
Q: When
can I return to work after surgery?
A: You can usually
return to work in about 2-4 days after PRK, depending on your healing
rate and amount of treatment.
Q: What should I expect
for follow-up care after my PRK procedure?
A: You will
have a post-op appointment the day after surgery. Then you will have
follow-up visits at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. |
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Contact a PRK Expert Today
Dr. Michael Tracy is a
Board-certified ophthalmologist and an expert in refractive surgery,
such as PRK and LASIK. If you are considering undergoing refractive
surgery, don’t hesitate to call us at (760) 603-9910 to schedule your
free LASIK or PRK consultation. |
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