PRK in Rhode Island

PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) corrects common refractive vision errors by totally removing the thin outer corneal layer in order to reshape the underlying tissue. The thin outer layer then self-heals and grows back over time. PRK was the original method of laser vision correction surgery and is still in frequent use, especially with patients who are not ideal candidates for other surgeries, such as LASIK. PRK and LASIK have very similar outcomes; however, the recovery time for PRK is notably longer. When you visit the Koch Eye Associates LASIK and Aesthetics Center for your free LASIK evaluation, a highly skilled ophthalmologist will determine whether PRK or LASIK is best for you. We will create your specialized surgical plan to provide you with your clearest vision.

To know whether you are a candidate for PRK surgery, you will need to be evaluated by a Koch Eye Associates ophthalmologist. We will review your medical history and general health, as well as your corneal thickness and curvature, your pupil size, and your amount of natural eye moisture. Those most eligible for PRK surgery are:

• 18 years of age or older

• Not pregnant or breastfeeding

• Not eligible for LASIK

• Not currently experiencing an eye infection, ocular disease, or dry eye

Several minutes prior to your surgery, we will numb your eyes with special anesthetic eye drops. When your eyes are fully numbed, the surgeon will place a device over one eye that will keep you from blinking and will keep your eyeball from moving. You will feel some pressure from the device, but no pain or discomfort. Once the device is in place, the surgeon will remove the surface layer of your cornea and then use an excimer laser to adjust the shape of the underlying tissue. This exact process will be done on your other eye, and then protective contact lenses will be inserted to protect your eyes while they heal. PRK usually only lasts 5 – 10 minutes, and the outer corneal layer typically regenerates in about a week.

For several weeks after your surgery, you will be asked to come back for follow-up visits. During these visits, our team of experts will be able to track your healing and vision progress and to try to minimize your discomfort. You will probably experience slight to moderate discomfort for about a week after your procedure, as well as about six weeks of light sensitivity. Typically, our patients can return to work and resume driving after about five days, although some individuals take a little longer. Most of our patients report much clearer vision 4 – 12 weeks after surgery, and the improvements continue for as many as six more months.

If you aren’t an eligible patient for LASIK surgery, PRK can provide the same results with just a slightly longer recovery period. As the original method of laser vision correction, PRK has improved the quality of life of many people. With the specialized help of the expert team at the state of the art Koch Eye Associates LASIK and Aesthetics Center in Cranston, RI, you can obtain life-changing vision clarity. Make an appointment today.