PRK Photorefractive

What is PRK?

Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) eye surgery is used for those involved in contact sports, those with dry eyes and for people whose corneas may be too thin to allow for the creation of the corneal flap required for LASIK eye surgery. PRK is useful for treating low to moderate levels of myopia or hyperopia with and without astigmatism. It is also the procedure of choice if a patient has certain corneal dystrophies, certain corneal scars, or a condition called "recurrent corneal erosion".

During PRK eye surgery a small area on the corneal/epithelium (surface cells) is gently polished away. The laser reshapes the corneal surface in exactly the same way as for LASIK surgery. After the procedure, a bandage contact lens is placed in the eye for 4 to 6 days while the epithelium slowly regenerates itself. During this period of healing a patient can experience mild to moderate discomfort with blurry vision and sensitivity to light. Unlike with LASIK, it takes longer to achieve the final result in PRK since a great amount of tissue healing takes place.

The accuracy of this procedure is virtually identical to that of LASIK. This is a completely bladeless approach to eye surgery, which is also attractive to some patients.

• Improved vision for sports, work and other activities
• Lower risk of intra-operative complications possible with traditional LASIK
• Lower risk of immediate post-operative complications possible with LASIK
• Lower risk of late post-operative complications possible with LASIK
• Lower risk of extended post-operative dry eye problems
• PRK is preferred in treating thinner corneas

Astigmatic Keratotomy (AK) is useful for correcting astigmatism. AK is a simple procedure where the surgeon places incisions in the cornea to change its curvature in a controlled fashion. In the hands of a skilled surgeon, AK is effective and can achieve predictability that rivals correction with the excimer laser. It is often a useful enhancement procedure following previous cataract and laser vision correction procedures.

During a limbal relaxing procedure the surgeon makes a tiny incision on the limbus, which allows the cornea to become more rounded when it heals. These incisions are also called peripheral corneal relaxing incisions. The procedure can be completed in a few seconds after numbing the eye with anesthetic drops. An LRI is another treatment option for astigmatism.

IntraLase is the first blade-free laser technology for performing the initial step of the LASIK procedure - creating the corneal flap. Traditionally, this step has been done manually using a device called a microkeratome. While traditional LASIK with a microkeratome is a successful and safe procedure that has shown excellent results, the IntraLase also provides patients with superior visual outcomes.

Financing Information:

Company: Unicorn Financial Company
Contact: Chris Denelle, Account Rep (888) 388-7633