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.
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PRK or photorefractive keratectomy is
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a laser vision correction
procedure similar to LASIC.
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The difference is, in LASIC,
we make a flap in the cornea.
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In PRK, we we perform the same laser
ablation over the surface,
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over the cornea, without
making a flap in the cornea.
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The final results, if you compare
PRK to LASIC, are extremely similar.
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However, there's a longer recovery time
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with PRK because now the surface layer has
to heal, and that takes a little bit
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longer than the flap edge
of a Lasic flap having to heal.
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PRK is mainly performed in those patients
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that have thin corneas, irregular corneas,
or their lifestyle needs indicate PRK.
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For instance, someone that's in contact
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sports or perhaps a police officer or
armed forces personnel that may be
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involved in combat scenarios
that in those cases,
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PRK is a safer procedure because you now
no longer have a flap in your cornea
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that could eventually be
disrupted through trauma.
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Additionally, for patients that have
extreme dry eyes, PRK
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disrupts or increases their dry
eye symptoms less than LASIC.
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Both LASIC and PRK increase dryness
after the surgery temporarily.
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But LASIC has a greater impact
on dry eyes than does PRK.
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So for all these reasons,
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PRK is a good consideration
to remove the need for glasses.
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If you would like more information
on PRK or advanced surface ablation,
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please call my office and make
an appointment for a free evaluation.
