PRK Laser Treatment

PRK laser treatment, also known as photorefractive keratectomy, is an ambulatory laser eye surgery, usually requiring only a short amount of time in a surgical center. The difference between PRK and other laser surgery lies in the type of laser and method used to perform the same task: reshaping the cornea.

Although patients are awake while undergoing PRK laser treatment, doctors begin the procedure by administering numbing eye drops to prevent pain. A mild oral sedative may also be given to help patients relax. The eyes are held open with a speculum, and an excimer laser is pulsed over the surface of the eye to remove corneal cells, reshaping the cornea to allow light rays to enter and focus properly. The laser is programmed by computer to adjust to the patient's individual refractive error. A corneal topography, or map reading of the cornea's surface, may be included as a part of the PRK laser treatment to assist the physician in predetermining the abnormalities in the shape of the cornea and rule out any other eye disorders.

During PRK laser treatment, laser contact with the eye lasts less than one minute per eye. The surgeon then places a clear bandage over the cornea to allow it to heal. Healing may be lengthy, depending on the severity of the refractive error that was corrected. Medicated eye drops may need to be used for several months following PRK laser treatment to prevent infection and allow for a full recovery. Successful PRK laser treatment my not be fully noticed until six months after surgery.

If you would like to learn more facts about PRK, select a state below for a consultation.