How is PRK surgery performed?
Your eye is anesthetized with eye drops. The outermost layer of the cornea is removed with the laser, or mechanically with a special instrument. The laser is then used to remove a thin layer of corneal tissue similar to LASIK. Following the procedure, a special contact lens is applied, and is worn for 2-5 days as the eye heals. Is there any pain? The surgery itself is generally painless. After LASIK surgery, there may be some mild foreign-body sensation and light-sensitivity for a couple days. Following PRK, patients usually experience moderate discomfort for 3-5 days. Symptoms may be treated with oral medications and eye drops. Are both eyes done at the same time? Usually both eyes are treated at the same time. In some cases the surgeon or patient may elect to treat the eyes at different times. What range of nearsightedness can be treated with laser? In the U.S., the excimer laser procedure is approved for the treatment of nearsightedness up to -14.00 diopters, with astigmatism from 0
