Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
Photorefractive keratectomy or (PRK) is one of the safest and most time tested laser vision correction procedures available. Before LASIK, PRK was the most common refractive surgery procedure. Like LASIK, it reshapes the cornea with an excimer laser to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. However, it does so without making a flap and without the use of a microkeratome blade used in traditional LASIK procedures.
The benefits of PRK over LASIK are the elimination of flap complications, reduced risk of dry eye problems, and the ability to perform the procedure on patients with thinner corneas or extremely high degrees of refractive errors.
Candidates for PRK
This is similar to LASIK. Thsi procedure is ideal for a patient who:
- Is over 21 years old
- Has had stable vision and refraction for at least one year
- Has a healthy cornea
- Has refractive error(s) that fall within the treatable range
- Does not have a corneal disease or condition that could impair the procedure or the healing process
- Has been educated about the procedure including its risks, alternatives, and benefits
- Understands that the goal of surgery is to improve vision and reduce dependence on glasses and contact lenses
PRK Procedure
PRK is performed on an outpatient basis using numbing drops and a mild oral sedative. During the PRK procedure, an instrument will be placed in the eye to prevent it from blinking. Then your surgeon will use one of a various techniques to remove the superficial layer of the cornea. The excimer laser then reshapes the curvature of the cornea by delivering customized laser pulses based on each person’s individual prescription. A bandage contact lens is then placed on the eye to promote proper healing.
The bandage contact lens will be worn from 3 to 5 days depending on how your eye heals. Vision will initially be fairly blurry, but will improve dramatically over the first 3 to 5 days. The final vision may not stabilize for up to 3 to 4 months. The final vision results are comparable to LASIK.
At Chico Eye Center, we use the newest developments in PRK surgery which includes “CustomVue WaveFront” technology. Because your eyes are as unique as a fingerprint, it is now possible to “map” them in much the same way. This “map”, much like a blueprint, is then used to customize your procedure with as much precision as possible. This new technology, along with our VISX Star S4 laser with ActiveTrack (infrared eye tracking to maintain centration and fixation) and Iris Recognition technology provides even greater satisfaction, better overall vision and results (a higher chance of 20/20 vision or better), and fewer side effects.
Results
The results of PRK are considered comparable to those achievable with LASIK. PRK does not correct presbyopia, a natural change in the eyes that affects everyone over the age of 40, so patients that need reading glasses will continue to need them after surgery.
View our patient testimonials »
Conductive Keratoplasty
Did you turn 40 and find that you needed reading glasses? If so, it’s probably because you are developing presbyopia. Presbyopia is an age related natural change in our eye’s ability to focus up close. It occurs when the crystalline lens of the eye loses its flexibility, causing near objects to appear blurry.
Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) is a safe, non-laser, non-cutting technique approved by the FDA to reduce or eliminate farsightedness and presbyopia in patients over 40. Instead of a scalpel, CK releases radiofrequency (RF) energy through a probe as thin as a strand of human hair, treating your vision condition without cutting or removing tissue. The controlled release of RF energy is done in a circular pattern on the cornea. This shrinks connective tissue in the cornea, reshapes it, and improves the way the eye focuses light.
CK takes less than five minutes per eye and uses only topical anesthesia. Post-operative discomfort is minimal and vision improves almost immediately. However since presbyopia is a progressive, age related condition, CK will have to be repeated periodically to maintain the visual results.
View our patient testimonials »
To learn more about PRK / CK, please call us today to schedule a consultation.
