PRK : Another Choice

PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) and LASIK are similar but different, in the procedure as well as the outcome. Both use the excimer laser, and both can produce outstanding results in correcting refractive error with somewhat different approaches.
	PRK reshapes the surface of the cornea.

PRK is a refractive surgery technique to reshape the surface of the cornea, while LASIK reshapes the inner layers of the cornea. With PRK, healing time, and the time to achieve the maximum benefits from the procedure, is usually longer than with LASIK. There are risks that attend any surgical procedure, but both PRK and LASIK have outstanding records for safety with a low incidence of minimal complications. To learn more about the differences in these two popular vision correction procedures.

As is true with LASIK, PRK is painless and actually takes less than a minute to perform. The excimer laser is extremely precise: in the PRK procedure, it is used on about 10 percent of the cornea. A topical anesthetic in the form of eye drops is used to numb the eye, permitting the patient to be fully awake but pain free during the brief operation.

Typically, PRK patients experience some discomfort and a "gritty" feeling for 24 to 48 hours after the procedure. Medication is provided to relieve this or any other discomfort.

For most patients, the final outcome of PRK takes time to achieve. You can expect your vision to be blurry while your eye heals. Improved vision is typically noticed in three to five days following treatment. The surgeon who performs your operation will monitor your progress after surgery at regular eye checkups. If enhancement surgery is necessary, a second procedure can be done to achieve the best possible results.