Photo-Refractive Keratectomy (PRK) is another method of surgically reshaping the cornea using the excimer laser. The difference between LASIK and PRK is that for PRK, the corneal flap is not created. That is, the outer layer of the cornea remains in place and the laser removes tissue directly from this outer layer.

As in LASIK, the laser treatment is very brief. Unlike LASIK, the healing period is longer. The corneal curvature is changed so that visual images are properly focused on the back of the eye. The correction for nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism are the same as LASIK. In either procedure, once your vision is stable, your treatment is permanent, resulting in less dependence, maybe complete freedom, from glasses and contact lenses!

Procedure

You will rest in a comfortable reclining chair with hour head under the laser equipment. An eyelid holder will be placed in your eye to keep you from blinking. The surgeon will prepare your eye for the laser by removing the top surface of the cornea. You will feel pressure but no pain. When the eye is prepared, you will be asked to look at the red target light. The laser makes a clicking sound as it works.

The actual laser part of the procedure takes seconds. At the end of the PRK procedure, a clear bandage contact lens is placed onto your eye. This will help keep you comfortable while the outer surface heals. The typical PRK procedure takes about five minutes per eye.

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