PRK

Description

PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy, is a vision correction surgery similar to LASIK. However, unlike LASIK, PRK surgery uses a laser to reshape the surface of the cornea without creating a corneal flap. Dr. Sheth especially recommends this less-invasive option to patients who do not qualify for LASIK due to thin or irregular corneas, as well as those with active lifestyles.

1 00:00:11.840 --> 00:00:15.660 PRK or photorefractive keratectomy is 2 00:00:15.690 --> 00:00:20.180 a laser vision correction procedure similar to LASIC. 3 00:00:20.210 --> 00:00:24.180 The difference is, in LASIC, we make a flap in the cornea. 4 00:00:24.210 --> 00:00:28.560 In PRK, we we perform the same laser ablation over the surface, 5 00:00:28.580 --> 00:00:32.380 over the cornea, without making a flap in the cornea. 6 00:00:32.410 --> 00:00:38.380 The final results, if you compare PRK to LASIC, are extremely similar. 7 00:00:38.410 --> 00:00:40.460 However, there's a longer recovery time 8 00:00:40.490 --> 00:00:46.920 with PRK because now the surface layer has to heal, and that takes a little bit 9 00:00:46.950 --> 00:00:51.260 longer than the flap edge of a Lasic flap having to heal. 10 00:00:51.290 --> 00:00:55.340 PRK is mainly performed in those patients 11 00:00:55.370 --> 00:01:02.900 that have thin corneas, irregular corneas, or their lifestyle needs indicate PRK. 12 00:01:02.930 --> 00:01:05.020 For instance, someone that's in contact 13 00:01:05.050 --> 00:01:12.130 sports or perhaps a police officer or armed forces personnel that may be 14 00:01:12.160 --> 00:01:17.620 involved in combat scenarios that in those cases, 15 00:01:17.650 --> 00:01:23.060 PRK is a safer procedure because you now no longer have a flap in your cornea 16 00:01:23.090 --> 00:01:27.290 that could eventually be disrupted through trauma. 17 00:01:27.320 --> 00:01:32.900 Additionally, for patients that have extreme dry eyes, PRK 18 00:01:32.930 --> 00:01:38.660 disrupts or increases their dry eye symptoms less than LASIC. 19 00:01:38.690 --> 00:01:45.260 Both LASIC and PRK increase dryness after the surgery temporarily. 20 00:01:45.290 --> 00:01:50.980 But LASIC has a greater impact on dry eyes than does PRK. 21 00:01:51.010 --> 00:01:53.620 So for all these reasons, 22 00:01:53.650 --> 00:01:59.620 PRK is a good consideration to remove the need for glasses. 23 00:01:59.650 --> 00:02:05.100 If you would like more information on PRK or advanced surface ablation, 24 00:02:05.120 --> 00:02:08.440 please call my office and make an appointment for a free evaluation.