Photorefractive Keratectomy as an Alternative to LASIK

Photorefractive keratectomy or PRK is a form of and it is used to solve problems such as myopia, presbyopia and astigmatism.
Although this procedure is not as popular as, it is often procedure of choice for many patients. Those patients who have poor quality cornea choose this method to improve their sight. Weak and thin cornea cannot undergo the LASIK procedure, so in that case, the optimal solution is PRK surgery.

Preoperative Instructions

Preoperative examination takes around two hours and it determines if the patient is a suitable candidate for the procedure. It is recommended not to wear soft contact lenses at least 3 days before the examination and surgery. Micardis genérico 80 mg In case you use rigid gas permeable hard lenses, this period should be extended to two weeks. On of the most important steps in preoperative stage is the eye test.
The ophthalmologist places special drops in the eye of the patient that cause the pupil to dilate. By doing this, ophthalmologist can closely exam patient’s retina. Since eye drops causes dizziness and extensive eye sensitivity to bright light,  make sure you have someone to drive you back home. These symptoms usually last for four to six hours.

Course of Operation

Your eye doctor gives anesthesia in the form of eye drops which prevents the patient from feeling any pain during the procedure. But, after anesthesia wares off, the patient will start feeling the pain caused by mechanical removal of epithelium.
The Surgeon will use excimer laser (originally used in computer industry by IBM), just like in procedure, but instead of making the cover, outside layer of epithelium is removed. When the middle layer of cornea is open and accessible the laser is used and cornea is remodeled.
Changes in the shape of cornea are done by laser and there are no additional damages to tissue. Laser is used on the eye for about a minute. After that, soft protective lens is applied which protects epithelium from physical damage until epithelium is fully recovered. The Protective lens is then taken off a few days after the procedure at the first scheduled visit.