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What is PRK?
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy), or ‘surface treatment,’ is a vision correction procedure in which the vision correction treatment is applied to the surface of the cornea.
PRK was the first vision procedure performed using the Excimer laser, and is still widely practiced today. It remains the procedure of choice for patients whose corneas are too thin to have LASIK.
How PRK Works
PRK corrects your vision the same way LASIK does – by reshaping your cornea with an Excimer laser so light focuses directly on your retina. The difference is that with LASIK, a flap is created on the outer part of the cornea, and vision correction applied to the inner tissue of the cornea. With PRK, there is no flap. Instead, the surface cells of the eye, called the epithelium, are removed using an alcohol solution. The vision correction treatment is then applied to the outer surface of the cornea.
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This epithelial layer eventually grows back, but the healing time is longer than with LASIK. However, the result is structural integrity that’s better than LASIK with a flap, and visual results that are just as good.
When is PRK a Good Option?
PRK might be the vision correction solution for you IF:
- You want to eliminate the need for glasses and contacts
- You are over 18 years of age
- You have had a stable eye prescription for at least one year
- You have corneas too thin for LASIK
- You have a corneal health issue that PRK can correct better than LASIK can
PRK is a wonderful alternative to LASIK, with proven visual results that are just as good. If you wish to learn more about your vision correction options, consider scheduling a refractive exam with Price Vision Group. You’ll find out if you’re a candidate for one of these life-changing procedures, and the option that’s best suited for you, so you can make an informed decision if vision correction is right for you.
