Enhance Your Vision with PRK
When most people think of laser vision correction, they likely think of LASIK—but PRK was developed before LASIK. PRK remains an effective choice for vision correction, particularly for patients who are not candidates for LASIK.
Discuss your vision goals with your eye doctor at Golden Vision Optometry. With laser vision correction co-management, we guide our patients through every step, from determining if you’re a candidate to aftercare. We’re your trusted assistant so you can feel confident about your vision decisions.
What Is PRK?
Photorefractive keratotomy (PRK) is a type of refractive surgery used to treat myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. Similar to LASIK, an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) uses a laser to reshape the cornea to improve how light is focused on the retina.
PRK has high success rates, with 90% of PRK patients achieving 20/40 vision or better. PRK has some advantages over LASIK, as it can be better for patients with:
- An active lifestyle
- Dry eyes
- Thin corneas
After assessing your eyes and discussing your lifestyle, our eye doctors at Golden Vision Optometry can determine if you’re a candidate for PRK.
PRK Procedure
PRK usually takes about 15 minutes, but patients should expect the appointment to last a few hours for preparation and assessment afterward.
Before the procedure begins, patients are given numbing eye drops. The surgeon also places an eyelid holder to prevent blinking. Then, the ophthalmologist removes a thin layer of cells (the epithelium) from the cornea. At this time, patients will be directed to focus on a target light. Finally, the surgeon uses a computer-guided laser to reshape the cornea.
After the procedure, the surgeon places a non-prescription contact lens to act as a bandage over the cornea. Usually, the contact lens is worn for several days to keep the eye clean and prevent infection during the initial healing period.
It’s normal to experience blurry vision or discomfort during the first few days after PRK. Although most symptoms decrease within 3–5 days, it can take a month or more before vision stabilizes. With co-management, your eye doctor can monitor your vision and eye health during recovery to help you achieve the best possible results.
Since PRK does not require a corneal flap (as LASIK does), patients can typically resume active lifestyles sooner. However, patients must still avoid sweating (near the eyes) for at least one week and avoid water activities (even with goggles) for several weeks.
Discuss PRK Today
When you’re ready to be free of contact lenses or glasses, PRK may benefit you. At Golden Vision Optometry, we offer co-management for vision correction to help our patients feel confident about their procedure and aftercare. We’re your guide from start to finish and even years after your laser surgery.
PRK has many benefits, but, like any surgery, there are also risks. We understand PRK is a big decision, so we want to support you by providing access to information and a knowledgeable team. Book a consultation today to discuss PRK.
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