PRK or Photo-Refractive Keratectomy treats refractive errors by
removing tissue from the surface of the cornea. First, your eye is numbed
using a topical, or eye drop anesthesia. Then, the surgeon
removes the epithelium, a thin layer of protective skin that covers the cornea.
This may be done with either a blade, a brush, or even the excimer laser.
During the actual procedure, the patient stares at a fixation light. In less
than a minute, the laser removes the proper amount of tissue while it reshapes
the surface of the cornea. After PRK, the eye is patched until the following
morning. Because the epithelium was removed, patients may experience blurry
vision for three to four days and a moderate amount of discomfort until the
epithelium heals and covers the treated area.
Eye drops, narcotics and possibly
a contact lens are effective in reducing this postoperative discomfort.
Final visual results may be fully realized anywhere from several days to a
few months or more as the surface heals in accordance to each individual's
healing tendencies. PRK is most often used to treat low to moderate amounts
of nearsightedness and astigmatism. PRK helps the eye focus more directly
on the retina, by creating a flatter cornea.
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