What is PRK?
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), also called “surface ablation” This is a procedure in which the front surface of the cornea is directly sculpted by the excimer laser. The surgeon prepares the eye by gently removing the surface layer known as the corneal epithelium. This layer regenerates itself within a few days. Computer-controlled pulses are directed at the exposed surface (corneal stroma) to reshape the cornea. Less than ten percent of the cornea is affected, with the deeper layers remaining untouched. The entire procedure takes approximately ten minutes per eye. PRK is an option for those patients with thin corneas who cannot undergo LASIK. A brief comparison of PRK and LASIK is outlined in the following chart.
In PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy, we apply the laser directly to the cornea according to carefully calculated measurements, without creating a flap. For nearsightedness we decrease the relative curvature; for farsightedness we increase the relative curvature. At the conclusion of the procedure we place a transparent “bandage” contact lens over the cornea to promote healing. PRK is presently used to treat nearsightedness, nearsightedness plus astigmatism, farsightedness, and farsightedness plus astigmatism.
