PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)

When men and women in Las Vegas, think of laser eye surgery, they typically think of LASIK. While LASIK is a highly safe and effective vision correction option for many, it is not the best choice for everyone.

Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) utilizes the same laser used for LASIK in Las Vegas procedures to reshape the cornea and reduce or eliminate the need for corrective lenses. However, unlike LASIK, PRK applies the laser directly to the surface of the cornea rather than the inner tissue of the cornea to achieve vision correction.

If you would like to learn more about PRK, click here to request a consultation online with a qualified eye doctor at Westfield Eye Center.

All About PRK

Photorefractive Keratectomy is a laser eye surgery for people who suffer from nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, and who are not good candidates for customized Las Vegas LASIK. Since PRK reshapes the surface of the cornea, there is no need to cut a flap in the cornea, as with LASIK. This makes this procedure more appropriate for those with thin corneas, or certain corneal abnormalities.

PRK has been approved by the FDA for nearsightedness since 1995 and farsightedness since 1998, and it has an excellent safety record. It is also the only approved laser vision correction procedure for those on active duty in the U.S. military.

Your PRK Procedure

Prior to surgery, your eye doctor will need to carefully review your general and eye health history. Your vision will be accurately measured to obtain your precise prescription, the shape of the surface of your eyes will be mapped, and the thickness of your cornea will be gauged.

At the time of your surgery, your eyes will be treated with a combination of antibiotic and anesthetic drops. Your eyes will be stabilized to prevent blinking during the procedure, then a very thin membrane which covers the cornea - called the epithelium - will be removed. The laser is pre-programmed with measurements obtained during your consultation, which are now used to sculpt the precise corrections directly onto the cornea. The procedure typically takes just a few minutes for each eye.

Recovery and Results

You will be sent home from your PRK procedure with sterile soft contact lenses in your eyes that will help the epithelium to heal. Your ophthalmologist will give you specific instructions for care following your eye surgery, which typically include rest and application of drops for comfort and infection prevention. You will experience an improvement in your vision immediately, but may have sensitivity to light, as well as somewhat hazy vision. These conditions should diminish as your eyes heal over a period of 3 to 6 months.

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