Steps
to PRK
- Under the excimer laser, the patient's eye
is numbed using anesthetic drops, and cleaned with sterile
tear solution
- The eye is tracked to freeze it on the computer
screen, and the area that will be reshaped is superimposed.
- The cornea surrounding the area to be reshaped is marked,
and the epithelium is removed within this area.
- The tracking / flying spot laser is then
used to precisely reshape the outermost stromal layer of
the cornea.
- After the laser reshaping is complete, Doctor cleans
the surface of the newly shaped cornea.
- A bandage contact lens is then applied to the eye which
allows the epithelium or skin of the cornea to begin to
heal over the next 3 three to five days. Eyedrops are started
immediately.
- Unlike LASIK, the patient does not require eye shields
to protect a flap. The epithelium of the cornea regenerates
on its own
Potential Problems with PRK Surgery
The potential problems of PRK surgery are due to the fact
that the epithleium takes three to five days to heal after
the surgery so there is a larger amount of inflammation in
the eye:
- Pain: During the surgery the patient's eyes are numbed
with anesthetic. During the 3 to 5 day healing period for
the epithelium, the scratch on the eye can cause some pain
- Vision: The quality of the vision is reduced during the
3 to 5 day healing period making returning to work the next
day difficult if not impossible
- Medication: PRK surgery can require the use of prescription
eye drops for up to six months after surgery
- Scar formation: Due to the amount of healing required
on the epithelium in PRK surgery, some patients have eyes
that over-react and some scar or haze can form on the surface
of the eye. This can occur months after the surgery. Doctor is an investigator for the use of a medication called
MMC to prevent this scar formation in PRK, and LASEK
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