PRK Laser Eye Surgery - Photorefractive Keratectomy

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) was the forerunner of Lasek laser eye surgery. It has been around for over 12 years and is therefore considered a safe procedure as to date there has been no evidence to suggest that PRK causes harm to eyes and vision in the long term. However, it is now much less commonly used than Lasek treatment and Lasik, which at present is the most popular form of laser eye surgery.

The most frequent reason for a laser eye surgery practitioner to recommend PRK over the other forms of treatment is that the patient has an unusually thin cornea or a large pupil. In these in instances, PRK is the safer option as Lasik works through a flap being created in the cornea and Lasek treatment is enabled by softening the cornea with an alcoholic solution. Both of these forms of treatment become much more complex if the cornea is too thin.

During preparation for surgery, the eye area will be cleaned thoroughly and the eyelid held in place with a metal ring. Anesthetic drops are administered t numb the eyes to prevent discomfort during the use of the laser. Unlike other types of laser eye treatment, where the shape of the eye is reformed underneath the surface of the cornea, PRK works by reshaping the cornea by eliminating a thin layer of cells from the surface of the eye with an excimer laser. The epithelium will grow back naturally and no undue side effects should result from its temporary removal.

Although PRK is a safe procedure its downside, in comparison to newer forms of laser eye surgery, is that recovery time can take longer and PRK patients generally experience greater pain and discomfort. Vision may remain hazy or slightly blurred for up to two months, when the final effects of laser eye treatment should become noticeable. Dry eyes are a common side effect and eye drops should be used to keep the eyes lubricated and free from infection.

As with all forms of laser eye surgery, PRK carries certain risks. For instance, while daytime vision may be improved sufficiently for the patient to go about their daily routine without glasses or contact lenses, dark conditions can be a problem. Night vision may be even poorer than it was pre-surgery and it is very common for patients to see a glare or ?halo? around lights. This can make driving at night inadvisable, at least of the first few months, and after this time glasses may be required for driving after dark.

Although laser eye surgery is permanent, patients need to remember that their vision can still deteriorate as part of the ageing process and that, at some point in the future, they may once again have to wear glasses or contact lenses. Your chances of attaining good results from laser eye treatment will be greatly increased if you suffer from only mild to moderate near or long sightedness and the longevity of the results can be extended if your prescription has remained stable for several years.

Despite the popularity of newer treatments such as Lasik, PRK can still be a viable option with a number of advantages, in particular its reputation as a safe procedure. Only a qualified ophthalmologist can advise you which type of laser eye surgery is most suitable for your needs.

Leanne has had several articles published on the subject of laser eye treatment. http://www.lasereyesurgery.about-beauty.net