Both nearsighted and farsighted people can benefit from PRK. With nearsightedness, the goal of treatment is to flatten the cornea. With farsightedness, the desire is to create a steeper cornea. PRK can also correct astigmatism by smoothing an irregular shaped cornea into a more normal sphere. When the cornea is reshaped in the right way, it works better to focus light into the eye and provide clear vision.

The excimer laser’s potential was discovered by Dr. Srinivasan, a photochemist at IBM who was researching laser systems for cutting plastics and other organic materials. In the early 1980’s, he saw the potential for the excimer laser to interact with biological tissue. But it was Dr. Steven Trokel, an ophthalmologist working with Srinivasan, who introduced the idea of using the excimer laser to reshape the cornea. In 1988, the first patient to have excimer laser vision correction was treated with PRK in Germany.

PRK can be used to treat the same range of focusing problems as LASIK—from -16 diopters of nearsightedness to +3 diopters of farsightedness, and up to -6 diopters of astigmatism. The primary limiting factor is the thickness of the cornea, since only so much can be safely removed.

The success of PRK in reducing the need for glasses or contact lenses is excellent. FDA research shows that 95% of people achieve 20/40 vision or better and approximately two thirds obtain 20/20 vision.

In our experience, vision achieved with PRK is ultimately very similar to outcomes we obtain with LASIK. To learn more about your approximate chances of achieving 20/20 vision, please refer to our LASIK Success Rates document. Copies are available from your optometric physician and our Refractive Surgery Counselors—or you can visit our website.

Unfortunately, no surgical procedure can be guaranteed. Instead of hoping to forever eliminate your need for corrective lenses, a more realistic goal is to reduce your dependence on glasses and contact lenses.

PRK is performed with the same highly sophisticated excimer laser our surgeons use for LASIK. Using a cool beam of ultraviolet light, this procedure reshapes the cornea by precisely removing microscopic amounts of tissue.

However, unlike LASIK where a thin flap is created and folded back to expose underlying tissue, with PRK the surgeon gently brushes aside a protective layer of surface cells covering the tissue to be treated. Anesthetic drops are placed on the eye so there is very little if any discomfort during the procedure.

Once the protective layer of cells is brushed aside, the laser is guided to reshape the underlying tissue in a procedure that usually takes less than a minute. A protective contact lens is then placed over the treated area, which allows the surface cells to regenerate and heal during the next 3 or 7 days. In addition to helping the healing process, the contact lens reduces most of the discomfort associated with recovery.

Although PRK is quick and looks relatively simple, your surgeon’s skill is critical—especially in the event that something unexpected occurs. The surgeon’s ability to react correctly can forever effect your visual outcome.

The protective contact lens will be removed several days after surgery. Your vision will likely be blurry with significant fluctuation throughout the first week. Most people see rapid improvement and less fluctuation during the second week with further improvement over the first month. However, vision may take 3 to 6 months to stabilize.

Eye drops are used on a frequent basis during the first week to help the eye heal, prevent infection and decrease any inflammation resulting from the surgery. Steroid eye drops are sometimes required on a decreasing schedule for several months after surgery.

Learn more by visiting the LASIK section of our website at www.pcli.com or read our booklet on LASIK—as PRK is a similar procedure. If you have questions about PRK or any other vision correction treatment, talk with your optometric physician or call our refractive surgery counselors.

Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute
Refractive Surgery Counselors
800-884-7254