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Photorefractive Keratectomy Center - Yuma, AZ

Yuma Eye Doctor Doctors for Photorefractive Keratectomy

Type of Physician: Eye Doctor

What is a Eye Doctor?

A certification by the Board of Ophthalmology; practitioners provide comprehensive eye and vision care. They are trained to diagnose, monitor and medically or surgically treat all eyelid and orbital problems affecting the eye and visual pathways, and to diagnose, monitor and treat all eye and visual disorders. They often prescribe vision services (glasses and contact lenses) as well as serve as a consultant to physicians and other professionals.

Specialty: Ophthalmology

Common Name: Eye Doctor

Eye Doctor Doctors in Yuma *

Chaman L Luthra MD & Adarsh Luthra MD
Chaman L Luthra
2325 S Avenue A
Yuma, AZ 85364
(928) 782-4319

Yuma Eye Associates
Thomas L Podolsky
1881 W 24th St
STE C
Yuma, AZ 85364
(928) 726-9564

Southwestern Eye Center
Eric B Farber
2149 W 24th St
Yuma, AZ 85364
(928) 726-4120

Yuma, Arizona

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Photorefractive Keratectomy

Introduction

Photorefractive keratectomy, or PRK, is a type of laser eye surgery used to correct mild to moderate nearsightedness , farsightedness and/or astigmatism .

All laser vision correction surgeries work by reshaping the cornea, or clear front part of the eye, so that light traveling through it is properly focused onto the retina located in the back of the eye. There are a number of different surgical techniques used to reshape the cornea. 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 Are the Advantages of PRK?

PRK is highly accurate in correcting many cases of nearsightedness. Approximately 80% of PRK patients have 20/20 vision without glasses or contact lenses one year after the surgery; 95%-98% have 20/40 or better without glasses or contacts.

What Are the Disadvantages of PRK?

Disadvantages of PRK include:

  • Mild discomfort, including minor eye irritation and watering, for 1 to 3 days following the procedure.
  • It is expensive, typically costing as much as LASIK, around $2,200 to $2,250 per eye.
  • Somewhat longer time to best uncorrected vision (best vision is vision attained using glasses or contacts) typically patients are 80% at 1 month after surgery, and 95%-100% by 3 months after surgery. LASIK, in contrast, corrects vision much faster.
  • The outcome is not completely predictable and some patients may still require glasses.
 

What Are the Potential Side Effects of PRK?

Many PRK patients experience some discomfort in the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery and almost all experience sensitivity to light. Within the first six months after surgery, other potential side effects may include:

  • Loss of best vision achieved with glasses
  • Se...

Recommended Reading Related to Photorefractive Keratectomy

LASIK Eye Surgery »

What is LASIK?

LASIK stands for laser in situ keratomileusis, which means using a laser underneath a corneal flap (in situ) to reshape the cornea (keratomileusis). This procedure utilizes a highly specialized laser (excimer laser) designed to treat refractive errors, improve vision, and reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. This laser procedure alters the shape of the cornea, which is the transparent front covering of the eye. Though the excimer laser had been used for many years before, the development of LASIK is generally credited to Ioannis Pallikaris from Greece around 1991.

How does LASIK work?

During the LASIK procedure, a specially trained eye surgeon first creates a precise, thin hinged corneal flap using a microkeratome. The surgeon then pulls back the flap to expose the underlying corneal tissue, and then the excimer laser ablates (reshapes) the cornea in a unique pre-specified p...

Emergency Contact for Yuma

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Yuma Hospitals *

HEALTHSOUTH Yuma Rehabilitation Hospital
901 W 24th St
Yuma, AZ 85364
(928)726-5000

Yuma Regional Medical Center
2400 S Avenue A
Yuma, AZ 85364
(928)344-2000

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