What is PRK Surgery?
Photorefractive keratectomy or PRK surgery is used to treat vision problems via laser. This surgery is specifically done for patients experiencing a refractive eye defect. A refractive defect is a condition where your eye fails to light appropriately.
The ultimate aim of this laser surgery is to change the shape of the cornea to help improve the focus of light rays on the retina. PRK surgery is usually used to treat the symptoms of both nearsightedness (myopia) and far-sightedness (hyperopia). In addition, this refractive surgery is also used for patients with astigmatism.
Once you successfully undergo Photorefractive Keratectomy surgery, you’ll notice a drastic change and improvement in your vision. In addition, PRK surgery is most likely to lessen your need to wear glasses or lenses. However, in a few cases, it’s also likely that you might as well do away with your glasses or lenses daily.
PRK Surgery Procedure
- The first step of the surgery involves putting drops in your eye to numb them. You might also be given some medication to relieve the pain and relax.
- The second step is a 30-second procedure in which the epithelium, or the topmost layer of coronal tissue, is entirely removed.
- Any irregularities in your corneal tissue layers are fixed using an “excimer laser.” The best part about this tool is that it helps to work in the deeper layers of the cornea.
- Lastly, your surgeon will put a bandage contact lens on the top of your cornea to heal your eye.
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PRK Surgery Recovery
Once the surgery is complete, you will have a bandage over your eye to help it heal. Here are some things you must keep in mind as you are on the path to your Photorefractive Keratectomy surgery recovery:
- On the day of the surgery, ensure you have someone to accompany you to drive you back home. When you get home, make it a point to relax or nap.
- If you want the surgery recovery to be quick, you must avoid all kinds of stressful activities for at least a week post-surgery. You can also take leave from work for a couple of days per your doctor’s recommendation.
- You may experience some pain in your eye for about 2-3 days post-surgery. Always ask your ophthalmologist for prescription medicine or eye drops for relief.
- Religiously use eye drops prescribed by your surgeon to help you heal and recover from the surgery.
- Another precaution you must take to recover from your surgery is to wear dark sunglasses each time you step out of your home for as long as your doctor recommends. Otherwise, exposure to direct sunlight can harm your eyes, even triggering scarring and vision problems in the future.
- Your road to recovery from the surgery will be slow and gradual. For the first few days, you might experience blurry vision. But, once a few days are passed, you’ll notice your vision getting to its optimum level.
Read Also: PRK Vs. LASIK Which one is better
PRK SURGERY RISKS
Much like any surgical treatment, PRK surgery also carries certain risk factors, which can be seen as:
- Infection in the Cornea
- Experiencing glare in bright light
- Seeing a halo-like shape around light
- Scarring in the eye or cornea
- Experiencing corneal haze
Other than these, PRK eye surgery also carries the potential risk of having your eyes and vision undercorrected or overcorrected.
In such cases, you always have the option to use lenses or glasses to improve your vision.
It is least likely that a Photorefractive Keratectomy surgery will go wrong or cause loss of vision. Although, there is a slight risk of losing your best-corrected vision and having a worse vision.
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PRK Surgery Cost
Generally, this surgery can cost anywhere from $2500 to $5000. In comparison to LASIK, PRP surgery is more costly.
This is because Photorefractive Keratectomy surgery calls for more post-operation procedures, such as removing the bandage or monitoring how your eyes are healing post-surgery.
Who Can Get a PRK Surgery?
Not everyone is eligible to undergo PRK surgery. Here are certain factors that you must keep in mind before getting the surgery:
- You must be over 18 years of age.
- There have been no drastic changes in your vision in the last year.
- You’re not pregnant or feeding at the time of the surgery.
- The average size of your pupil is 6 mm in a dark room.
Whether you are experiencing far-sightedness or near-sightedness, you can always rely on surgery to help improve your vision with guaranteed results.
There are high chances of success in most Photorefractive Keratectomy surgeries, making it a trusted and reliable way to improve your vision. Contact your trusted eye surgeon to prepare for PRK surgery and discuss your medical history.
If your surgeon suggests, you can also undergo certain tests which will help measure the thickness of your cornea, refraction, and another medical history to come up with the best possible results.
Read Also: ICL Surgery Cost: Is the Procedure Worth and Price
Get in Touch Now!
Need help getting PRK surgery? We’re here to help you out. At HayatMed, we offer a one-in-all solution for your PRK surgery needs at competitive prices.
All you need to get your surgery done is to contact us and schedule an appointment. So, wait no more and contact us now! Or go back to our Medical Blog.
