Prk Laser Eye Surgery
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) laser eye surgery has been safely used for several years. It’s actually the forerunner of LASIK eye surgery.
Not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery. Even though there have been many recent advances in LASIK, there are certain circumstances where PRK laser surgery is recommended over LASIK eye surgery. For instance, if the patient has large pupils or an unusalyy thin cornea, the doctor may suggest PRK.
PRK or LASIK – What’s the Difference?
Your cornea is made up of layers. The top, or outer layer, called the epithelium, is soft and has the ability to heal quickly. The layer underneath is called the stroma – this does not regrow, and it’s the area that’s targeted by the LASIK procedure.
With LASIK eye surgery, a small flap is cut from the cornea, the flap is folded back out of the way and the laser reshapes beneath the surface of the cornea.
However, with PRK laser surgery, no flap is created, since the cornea itself is reshaped by removing thin layers of cells from the outer surface. The surgeon uses the laser to vaporize a portion of the epithelium to gain access to the stroma layer underneath.
Unlike LASIK eye surgery, which boasts a quick recovery time, PRK patients experience a longer recovery time. Also, you’ll experience greater pain and discomfort after the procedure. You may even notice blurred or hazy vision for as long as two months after surgery. You won’t actually see the results of the surgery until after this two month period.
Some Side Effects of PRK
It’s common that PRK patients experience eye dryness and must use lubricating eye drops or artificial tears as a remedy. Also, the doctor will probably prescribe antibiotics to prevent possible infection. In many cases, night vision suffers, often becoming worse that before the PRK procedure, although daytime vision usually improves. Driving at night is not advised for the first few months, since glare and halo effects could cause safety concerns.
Since the PRK procedure actually removes a portion of the epithelium, patients usually are required to wear a temporary bandage contact lens for protection for five or six days, until the epithelium regenerates.
Advantages of PRK
About 80% of the patients who undergo PRK laser surgery no longer rely upon corrective lenses. PRK surgery is a safe procedure that boasts an impressive rate of success. If you’ve worn glasses or contact lenses for years, you’ll be quite happy with your new, clear vision.
Remember, laser eye surgery is permanent, but as time goes by, your eyes can still change due to the natural aging process. Some doctors offer an inexpensive upgrade so that if you ever need the procedure repeated, it’s done at no additional cost. If your at an age where your eyes are likely to be changing, say in your 40s or 50s, you should strongly consider this option.
When it comes to choosing between PRK and LASIK, it depends upon your personal circumstances. Your doctor will complete an eye exam and make the proper recommendation.
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www.eyecarelondon.com At Eye Care London of Mr C Steven Bailey, we price ourselves in honestly managing your expectations. Well give you unbiased advice about which procedure is right for you. For more information about refractive surgery procedures such as LASIK, PRK, LASEK, and epi-LASIK surgery, please visit http You may contact Mr C Steven Bailey at: 99 Harley Street W1G 6AQ Tel: +44(0)7973 691727 Website: www.eyecarelondon.com
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9 Responses to “Prk Laser Eye Surgery”
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I am thinking that recovery time depends on each person individually.
I had PRK done 1 week- 2 days ago & I still have blurry vision.
Due to the thinness of my cornea, PRK was my only choice.
I am still extremely light sensitive. Up until today, I spent the past 9 days basically in bed! I had a rough time. I am hoping my vision clears up soon. I guess it's 'normal', but just in case, call your eye Dr.
If I had to do it over, I would not!
I was told that there's only a 1% chance of anything going wrong during/after the surgery, so I will wait a few weeks before I get nervous about my eyesight.
Good luck with your healing.
Hi, Jackie.
I know when I was pregnant with each of my kids, my vision fluctuated more than a bouncing ball and finally, three years after my last one, I had PRK since I had a stable prescription for 2 years.
Pregnancy itself can cause vision changes…even without having had the laser vision correction surgery, so if you are thinking you might try again for another baby, you really might want to consider holding off on the PRK until you know you're done creating your family, then wait for the 1-2 years after your last delivery and have your enhancement. Perhaps, by then, your vision may also have gone back to where it was just prior to your daughter. Mine did…almost 7 years and three kids later, I was where I was with my prescription when my hubby and I were married, so I went ahead and got my PRK done just this last June.
I do not have the option of enhancements, but a coworker of mine had LASIK, then had three children, has noticed that her vision has gotten bad. Our youngests are the same age and she is considering going for a consult for an enhancement now that she's had stable vision for the last 2 years, as recommended by her optometrist (she was my touchstone when I was considering the procedure).
Check with your optometrist for their ideas…and I'd also contact the surgeon who did your original surgery with the same questions.
first,. i'm NOT an eye doc, or in really any way qualified to give a medically correct answer.
however, i've had friends who have experienced miracles with refractive eye surgeries.
i'd go with the wave front technique, as it is more advanced and accurate.
What more do you want ?
I gave you a link to an Air Force .mil web page that said, yes you can have PRK and be a Pilot.
Do you think the Air Force is lying ??
Did you even go read the web page?
How is anyone here, supposed to know, what the Air Force will do 2 years, or 5 years from now?
You haven't stated your age, so we don't have any idea just how long it will be before you had a college degree and tried to get a pilot slot.
Your best bet, no matter what your current age, is to wait until one year before you apply for a pilot slot, and then research the situation again.
There will be advances in eye surgery by then, maybe by then the Air Force will have new rules.
But just remember, for ROTC students, you apply for a pilot slot as a Junior. And as part of the application procedure, you have to complete a Class l physical, the PRK would have to be done a year before that physical.
I had astigmatism and i had to get the prk surgery. usually with the misshapen lens, you do not have enough room on your eye for them to do the lasik. definitely go and get the free consultation, they will choose the best for you and address any concerns.
It is for safety. What they are worried about is a complication occurring which is not apparent at the time of the surgery, but which appears a few hours or days later, and which can occur in both eyes at once if both eyes were treated. An infection is one such complication. If an infection occurs, it usually will occur within the first two or so days postoperatively. An infection in both eyes, if severe, can lead to scarring, loss of vision, and even a need for a corneal transplant. Fortunately, the risk of an infection occurring in even just one eye is remote, but not zero.
Also, it can take up to one week to regain full vision in the eye that the surgery was done on. This way you have one functioning eye while the other recovers.
If the army is paying for it (like they paid for mine) then it will be TDY. If you are paying for it out of pocket then you should get with your chain of command. They could give you a pass for it but you would still need a profile for a few weeks after the surgery.
EDIT: I would highly recommend asking if they can just give you a pass since you only need two days for the surgery. Then after the surgery is over give your paperwork to your PCP so you can get the standard profile they give all people who get eye surgery. Mine made me non-deployable for 30 days and I had a profile to wear sunglasses indoors and while in formation for 90 days. Also, I couldn't wear a mask or do PT for two weeks. There was a captain in my unit who paid out of his own pocket for one in town and I don't think he took any leave for it.
The answer is: potentially. I have comanaged patients with
-12 and 13 who've achieved 20/20 vision. You must be established as a good candidate, though, i.e., having enough corneal tissue to reshape and still maintain the integrity of the physical structure of the eye.
i HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY suggest that you NOT NOT NOT do that before you ship out. i am working with a guy now who did and DQ'd himself in the process.