Have you been told you’re not a good candidate for LASIK but still want to enjoy crisp, clear vision without the hassle of glasses and contacts? PRK could be the solution! At 20/20 Eye Physicians of Indiana, our experienced ophthalmologists are passionate about helping patients achieve their vision goals through safe, minimally invasive procedures like PRK.
What is PRK?
PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy, is a laser vision correction procedure that is often recommended as an alternative to LASIK. It offers the same visual benefits as LASIK and can correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism in qualified patients.
Refractive errors occur when the cornea is misshapen, or the eye is too long or too short. This can cause light to be unfocused on the retina and send blurry images to the brain.
As the first vision correction procedure, PRK has long been used to help patients achieve freedom from visual aids. It involves reshaping the cornea with a specialized laser, directing light to reach the optimal point of the retina for clear vision.
What Makes PRK Different from LASIK?
Patients with thin corneas or dry eye, as well as patients who play contact sports like boxing, are often better candidates for PRK than LASIK. This is because LASIK involves creating a flap on the surface of the cornea to reshape the tissue underneath.
While this process often warrants faster recovery times, it can pose a significant risk of worsening dry eye symptoms or becoming accidentally dislodged due to a sports injury. If your corneas are too thin for the procedure, it can disqualify you entirely, as it may be unsafe to make the flap needed for LASIK.
Instead, PRK involves completely removing the epithelium or outer layer of the cornea and then reshaping the tissue underneath. As the epithelium typically needs around a week to regrow, PRK tends to have longer recovery times than LASIK.
However, the visual outcomes are the same, and it can offer an excellent path to vision correction for patients who are not LASIK candidates.
Am I a Good Candidate for PRK?
Before undergoing PRK, you will need to attend a consultation with your eye doctor at 20/20 Eye Physicians of Indiana. They will determine whether the procedure is right for you by considering factors like your medical history, visual goals, and lifestyle.
Signs you may be a good candidate for PRK include:
Even if you do meet the candidacy requirements listed above, you will still need to undergo a consultation and eye exam with your eye doctor to find out whether the procedure could be right for you.
What to Expect During PRK
Before PRK, your eye doctor will apply anesthetic drops to numb your eyes and prepare you for the procedure. Then, they will remove the epithelium to access the corneal tissue underneath.
Your eye doctor will use an excimer laser to reshape the tissue, correcting your refractive errors. The entire procedure takes around 15 minutes, and then a bandage contact lens is applied to protect your eyes as you heal.
What is Recovery Like after PRK?
Once the procedure is complete, your eye doctor will provide you with at-home care instructions and prescription eye drops that help prevent infection and reduce inflammation. Make sure to follow their directions for application, and avoid rubbing your eyes.
You will need to have someone drive you home after the procedure so you can begin the healing process. At your follow-up appointments, your eye doctor will let you know when you can return to driving and other activities like sports, work, and wearing makeup.
What Will My Vision Be Like After PRK?
Most PRK patients notice visual improvements within three to five days, but it can take several weeks or months to reach peak visual clarity. Then, you can enjoy decades of crystal-clear vision and freedom from visual aids.
In your daily routine, you can say goodbye to scrambling for your glasses in the morning or worrying about falling asleep with your contacts in. You can also avoid the frustrations of fogged-up lenses or dry eyes from contacts interrupting your day and making it hard to focus on what you’re doing.
You can look forward to experiencing life’s best moments with vivid, high-definition vision as well. Whether you’re scoring the winning point in your favorite sport, exploring a foreign city, or spending quality time with friends and loved ones, clear eyesight can make each memory that much more special.
Are you ready to find out whether PRK could be your key to the vision of your dreams? Schedule an appointment at 20/20 Eye Physicians of Indiana in Indianapolis, IN, today!