What is Recovery Like After PRK Surgery?
Having blurry vision can be frustrating, but being told you cannot have LASIK can be equally frustrating. Fortunately, many people who are not candidates for LASIK can still enjoy clearer vision and all the opportunities life has to offer with PRK surgery. This form of laser eye surgery helps many individuals achieve their goal of seeing more clearly.
What is PRK Laser Eye Surgery?
PRK stands for photorefractive keratectomy. Like LASIK and other types of laser eye surgery, it treats refractive errors like nearsightedness or astigmatism by correcting the shape of your corneas. Corneas, which form the front, clear part of the eye, help focus light, so PRK uses a laser to change the shape of your cornea. While LASIK does the same thing, the primary difference is how your eye surgeon accesses your cornea to work on it.
What is Recovery Like After PRK Surgery?
One of the features that makes LASIK popular is its short recovery time. However, the factors that make recovery so quick may also be the reason you are not eligible for it. During LASIK, a flap is created on the surface of your cornea. Although it heals very quickly, it leaves an area of weakness where the flap could be disturbed.
PRK, on the other hand, removes the entire epithelium (outer layer) of the cornea. This layer grows back completely with no incisions or defects. This process takes a bit longer, so you can expect some dryness, sensitivity, and glare to last for several days. Your vision can take a few weeks to become clear and may take several months to stabilize completely.
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We’d love to help you get all the information you need in order to make the best choice for your eyes. Request a consultation today! Our staff is available and happy to answer your every question.
Is PRK Surgery Better than LASIK?
Whether your eye surgeon recommends PRK surgery over LASIK depends on which one will provide the best results while keeping your eyes safe. Both can treat the same types of refractive errors with comparable results, so either one will allow you to see much more clearly.
PRK is a better choice for those whose eye conditions, lifestyle, or other factors mean that a corneal flap is not the best surgical option. This includes:
- People with unstable, thin, or unhealthy corneas
- People who engage in contact sports
- People who might be at increased risk of other corneal issues
PRK Xtra can be performed as part of PRK surgery. It uses riboflavin, a B vitamin, and activates it with UV light. This process causes the collagen fibers in the cornea to reconnect in a stronger, more stable form. This option is not available with other types of laser eye surgery.
Am I a Good Candidate for PRK Surgery?
If you are considering laser eye surgery, including PRK, you should be over 18 years old and have a stable prescription within the PRK treatment range. Candidates should have overall healthy eyes and reasonable expectations. Anyone who wants laser eye surgery but should not have LASIK can be assessed to see if PRK is a good option.
Take the Next Step
To learn more about PRK surgery, please schedule your consultation by either filling out the form on this page or by calling (866) 458-1545. We look forward to helping you!
