Photorefractive Keratectomy (cont.)
What Happens During the PRK Procedure?
The PRK procedure is done under local anesthesia and takes a maximum of about 10 minutes to do both eyes. During PRK, an eye surgeon uses a laser to reshape the cornea. This laser, which delivers a cool pulsing beam of ultraviolet light, is used on the surface of the cornea not underneath the cornea, as in LASIK.
What Should I Expect After PRK Surgery?
Most of the time, a bandage contact lens will be applied immediately after the procedure. This contact lens is usually worn for the first 3 to 4 days to allow the surface of the eye to heal. You should expect to visit your eye doctor at least a few times during the first 6 months after surgery, with the first visit being the day after surgery. Once the surface of the eye is healed, the bandage contact lens is removed.
Your vision may fluctuate between clear and blurry for the first few weeks following surgery and you may need to wear glasses for night driving or reading until your vision stabilizes. Your eyes will be dry even though they do not feel that way. Your doctor will give you prescription eye drops to prevent infection and keep your eyes moist. These drops may cause a slight burn or momentary blurring of your vision upon using them. Do not use any drops not approved by your ophthalmologist.
Your vision will gradually improve, and usually will be good enough to allow you to drive a car within two to three weeks following surgery. Keep in mind, however, that your best vision may not be obtained for up to 6 weeks to 6 months following surgery.
Will I still need reading glasses to correct presbyopia after I have had PRK?
Presbyopia happens in all patients over 40 and can be corrected with reading glasses or with laser refractive surgery doing something called monovision, where using contact lenses, the non-dominant eye is corrected for reading and the dominant eye is corrected for distance. PRK is not used to correct presbyopia.
Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute.
Edited by Charlotte E. Grayson, MD, WebMD, November 2004.
Portions of this page copyright © The Cleveland Clinic 2000-2004
Last Editorial Review: 1/31/2005 6:06:16 AM
- LASIK Eye Surgery - Get information about LASIK, refractive surgery for vision correction (of astigmatism, nearsightedness, farsightedness), risk factors (dry eyes, high myopia or hyperopia) and benefits.
- Eye Care - Get information on eye care tips and eye health, disorders and treatment with OTC eye-care products, and when to see an ophthalmologist about an eye infection or condition.
Latest Medical News
Eyesight RSS