A Look at Standard PRK

Because not everyone is an ideal candidate for LASIK, Bense Vision™ offers several vision correction alternatives like PRK (Photo refractive keratectomy) that provide correction of vision with virtually the same quality as LASIK. Photo refractive keratectomy (PRK) is one of these methods used by Dr. Bense and Dr. McEachren for restoring vision.

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) is the original laser refractive procedure (1st treatment performed in 1987) to correct mild nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. PRK is sometimes incorrectly referred to as LASEK or EpiLASIK. It involves removing the top layer of the cornea before reshaping the cornea with the excimer laser. Then a soft contact lens is inserted for a several days following the surgery.

The Standard PRK Procedure

1. Anaesthetic drops are applied to the eye.

2. The surface of the outer layer of the cornea is gently removed by the surgeon using a laser beam, a brush, a blade, a spatula or chemicals like 20% Ethanol.

3. Computer-controlled pulses of cool laser light are applied to the surface layers of the cornea. As the laser pulses, it makes a ticking sound. The outer cornea layer is re-shaped with the laser to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.

This reshaping of the cornea is designed to work by simply attempting to duplicate one’s spectacle prescription on the cornea. It is primarily intended to improve only one’s day vision, whilst ignoring one’s night vision. In fact, Standard PRK invariably worsens one’s night vision performance like night driving.

In order to obtain better vision that can be obtained with Standard PRK, patients would have to choose more recently developed technology that can CUSTOMIZE the Standard PRK procedure. This can easily be done using Advanced CustomVue™ WaveFront technology borrowed from NASA where it is used to develop powerful telescopes like the Hubble telescope. This provides a degree of high definition day and night sight that is impossible to obtain using Standard PRK.

4. A bandage contact lens is placed on the eye for 4-10 days to enhance healing and comfort.

Benefits of PRK

• The major benefit of PRK is that it may be performed on candidates who do not meet the requirements for conventional or Standard LASIK surgery.
• Typically, PRK candidates are people with corneal issues such as dry eyes or thin corneas who have a corneal thickness that even precludes them from blade-free iLASIK which is usually the safest option in people with thin corneas.
• Improvements in laser technology have helped surgeons achieve results with PRK that are equivalent to those of LASIK, though recovery times following the surgery are typically longer and more uncomfortable.
• It should however never be confused as being equivalent to a blade-free iLASIK™ procedure. PRK is neither blade-free LASIK nor a new procedure (1987).

Contact Bense Vision™ at Elizabeth Towers

Even if LASIK is not for you, you deserve to see the world as it was meant to be seen. With PRK surgery performed at Bense Vision™, our certified blade-free laser specialist surgeons can help you see a world of clear natural vision. Contact our practice today to schedule your free PRK consultation at our centre and find out whether this surgery is the best option for you.

Why stop there? Want something better?
Take a Look at Custom PRK