Photorefractive keratectomy eye surgery

This type of laser eye surgery, also known as PRK, helps treat myopia, farsightedness or astigmatism if the vision problem is mild or moderate.

All laser surgeries to correct vision problems perform this by reshaping the cornea, the transparent part of the front of the eye.  The cornea passes light like glass and reaches the retina at the back of the eye.

During PRK , the surgeon radiated a cold ray of ultraviolet light to the surface of the cornea, and Lasik, another type of laser eye surgery, overshadows the sub cornea.

Advantages of photorefractive curectomy eye surgery

It is very accurate in correcting many cases of myopia. Most people reach vision levels of 20/20 or  at least 20/40 a year after surgery without  glasses or lenses.

Disadvantages of photorefractive eye keratectomy

This is not so simple. It is possible:

  • Feel a little uncomfortable. For example, itching and mild runny eyes for 1 to 3 days after surgery.
  • Prolonging recovery. Those who perform lasik surgery will notice signs of improvement less than a month. In PRK, the course can  take 1 to 3 months.
  • Need for glasses

Effects

You may feel a little uncomfortable within 24 to 72 hours of surgery, and you may also be sensitive to light for a while.  Within the  first 6 months, you will notice that you need glasses to improve your eyesight.

How to prepare for photorefractive vision keratectomy?

First, you will meet with an eye surgeon to explain what to expect before and after the surgery. The surgeon will ask you about your medical history and examine your eye. Among the possible examinations are:

  • Corneal thickness size
  • Refraction
  • Cornea Photography
  • Eye pressure examination

The surgeon will then answer your questions and determine the time of the surgery.

If you’re using a lens, you should not wear a lens for a while before checking:

  • Permeable lens: 3 weeks
  • Other types of lenses: 3 days

On the day of surgery, eat light food before going to the office and take all prescription medications. Don’t make up your eyes and don’t use a coarse hair puller because it makes it hard to get your head under the laser. If you feel unwell on the morning of surgery, contact the office and ask if the surgery is necessary to fall behind.

What happens during PRK?

The ophthalmologist numbs your eye with the help of a drug called local anesthesia, usually  surgery lasting up to 10 minutes (for both eyes), and the surgeon carefully removes part of the epithelium or rupost to reach the upper layer of the eye, then deforms it using a laser, which sends ultraviolet light to the eye, on the surface of the cornea.

What should I expect after PRK?

In most cases, the ophthalmologist will have a bandage lens on your eye after surgery, and it is necessary to use it within the first 5 to 7 days to treat the surface of the eye  , at least a few times over the next 6 months, usually the first visit one day after the surgery and the second visit in which the doctor removes the lens, a week later.

Your eyesight may be blurred within the first few weeks. When this problem is resolved, you need to wear glasses to drive at night and study. Even if you don’t feel dry eye, you should know that your eyes are drying out.  The ophthalmologist will prescribe eye drops to prevent infection and maintain moisture, and after using the drop, your eyes will burn for a few seconds or become blurry, so do not use a drip that your doctor has not approved or prescribed.

Your eyesight is gradually getting better.  You won’t have problems driving within 3 weeks, but you probably  won’t get the best results for up to 6 weeks to 6 months.