| The idea of PRK eye surgery is an appealing one for | | | | faster than that. |
| anyone struggling with glasses or contacts. You want | | | | There will be some discomfort for the first 24 to 48 |
| something that is easier and simplier, however you | | | | hours after PRK eye surgery, and frequently patients |
| may not understand all the jargon associated with the | | | | expertise light sensitivity as well. |
| procdedure. Keep reading to find out more about PRK | | | | PRK is performed under local anesthesia, and takes |
| eye surgery. | | | | about 10 minutes for both eyes. Generally, a bandage |
| PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy, is a type of | | | | contact lens is called immediately after the surgery. |
| laser surgery used to right moderate near sightedness, | | | | This contact lens is worn for three to four days to |
| farsightedness, or astigmatism. Like other laser eye | | | | allow the surface of the eye to heal. You will visit your |
| surgeries, your vision is corrected by reshaping the | | | | surgeon the day after surgery, and probably several |
| cornea of the eye. The cornea is the real, front part of | | | | times over the next six months. Once the surface of |
| your eyeball. Light travels through the cornea and is | | | | the eye has healed, the bandage contact lens will be |
| focused on the retina in the back of your eye. If the | | | | removed. |
| cornea is misshapen, the light does not focus on the | | | | Your vision might fluctuate for the first few weeks |
| retina, and your insight is impaired. | | | | following surgery. Your eyes will be dry, even if they |
| In PRK eye surgery, the eye surgeon uses a cool, | | | | dont feel like it. Your physician will prescribe eye drops |
| pulsating laser beam on the surface of the cornea. In | | | | to prevent infection and keep your eyes moist. |
| Lasik eye surgery, a flap is cut in the cornea, and the | | | | Your vision will gradually improve over time. After two |
| laser beam is directed under the cornea. | | | | to three weeks, you will see well enough to drive a |
| PRK is very accurate in correcting nearsightedness. | | | | car. Your best vision, but, will not be reached until 6 |
| About 80% of patients have 20/20 vision without | | | | weeks, to 6 months after the surgery. |
| glasses one year after surgery. PRK in general costs | | | | PRK has become less common recently. More eye |
| about the same as Lasik eye surgery. The recovery | | | | surgeons prefer Lasik procedures because healing |
| time to best corrected vision is longer with PRK than it | | | | time is faster, and the results are more predictable. |
| is with Lasik eye surgery. The typical PRK patient has | | | | The final decision on what type of eye surgery to |
| about 80% of their best insight after a month, and 95% | | | | have is up to you. Be sure to understand all the |
| to 100% after 3 months. Lasik corrects insight much | | | | information, and ask lots of questions. |