PRK or photorefractive keratectomy is used in the treatment of Myopia (nearsightedness), Hyperopia (farsightedness) and a condition known as Astigmatism where the cornea of the eye is not completely spherical.

This kind of eye laser surgery was initially used to treat myopia only, but recent advances have made it possible to treat hyperopia and the non spherical cornea condition also. The operation involves removing the epithelial  layer from the cornea of the eye and then the cornea is reshaped to improve the patients vision.

How is the PRK Surgery Performed?

  1. The surgery is usually conducted in the outpatients department and takes less than 20 minutes. Before the process starts eye drops are given to the patient to avoid discomfort.
  2. A lid speculum is placed over the eyes to keep the eyes open and positioned, so that they do not interfere with the laser.
  3. Using a surgical blade the epithelium of the eye cornea is removed.
  4. The laser is then applied to the corneal tissue (the stromal).
  5. For the treatment of nearsightedness the laser is used to remove tissue from the centre of the cornea.
  6. In cases of far sightedness the laser will remove corneal tissue from the sides thus increasing the curvature of the cornea.
  7. To treat astigmatism, the cornea will be made more symmetrical by the laser removing tissue from selected parts of the cornea.
  8. After completing the operation, the surgeon will cover the eyes with a bandage contact lens.

With this kind of laser eye surgery (PRK), the recovery period can be relatively slow, certainly slower than the Lasik procedure, since following PRK, the epithelium must be allowed to regenerate itself.

After about 2 days the bandage contact lens can safely be removed any eye discomfort should have disappeared by then.

The epithelial should have regenerated and healed within 5 days and moisturizing eye drops will be prescribed by the eye doctor with the recommendation that they be used for up to 6 months following surgery.

It is not uncommon for PRK patients to experience cloudy vision, which seems to become most intense at about 4 months after surgery, but normally clears away, and usually functional vision is regained within 2 weeks following surgery, with full vision being regained within 6 months.

Tags: , , ,