PRK LASIK Alternative

PHOTOREFRACTIVE KERATECTOMY (PRK)

PRK uses the excimer laser to sculpt an area 5 to 9 millimeters in diameter on the surface of the eye. This process removes only 5-10% of the thickness of the cornea for mild to moderate myopia and up to 30% for extreme myopia – about the thickness of 1 to 3 human hairs.

The major benefit of this procedure is that the integrity and the strength of the corneal dome is retained.

The disadvantage of PRK is that:

1. Healing takes longer than in LASIK. It may take several days for the surface to heal and vision to sharpen.
2. PRK is more uncomfortable for the patient
3. Generally, PRK patients must be on postoperative drops for several weeks to months. It is for these reasons that we reserve PRK for very special situations (such as patients with recurrent erosion syndrome.)