What is Photorefractive Keratectomy?

Advantages of PRK Treatments

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) offers several advantages as a surgical procedure for correcting refractive errors of the eye, compared to other methods like LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis). Here are the key advantages of PRK:

• No flap is created within the cornea during PRK, so the problems associated with creating a flap are avoided.
• This procedure is highly recommended in those patients who have thin corneas or have an improper shape to the cornea for LASIK to be done.
• This helps preserve the strength of the cornea by preventing the creation of flaps and works best for those people who are at risk of having a potential eye trauma.
• No risk of complications related to the flap: Flap dislocation or its inflammation under the flap is avoided.
• Stable results in the long run: Results related to the correction of vision are predictable and stable over long periods.
• Less Risk of Dry Eye Syndrome: Probably less than LASIK, since more of the corneal nerves responsible for tear production will be preserved.
• It is suitable for most patients with various types and degrees of refractive errors.
• This is safer for patients who have certain medical conditions or risky occupations where flap-related complications may become an issue.
• No Risk of Flap-Related Trauma: Because no flap is made, eliminates risks of flap displacement or dislodging.
  

Conditions treated by PRK

PRK is mainly indicated for the treatment of refractive mistakes of the eye, actually not diseases but conditions that alter the way light focuses on the retina. 

The following are specific refractive errors that PRK can treat effectively:

• Myopia (Nearsightedness): PRK works by flattening the cornea to correct myopia so that light focuses correctly on the retina rather than in front of it.
• Hyperopia (Farsightedness): PRK steepens the cornea, which shifts the focus of light onto the retina.
• Astigmatism: PRK reshapes irregularly curved corneas into a spherical configuration to sharpen the focusing of light onto the retina.

Other than these refractive errors, PRK does not indicate or treat eye diseases like cataracts, glaucoma, or retinal disorders. For this reason, any person who would like to do PRK should have a comprehensive eye examination by an ophthalmologist or refractive surgeon to assess, depending on the extent of the refractive error and general eye health, whether they qualify for this procedure.