Photo-refractive
keratectomy (PRK)
- similar to LASIK except all phases of the treatment are done with
an excimer laser. Instead of creating a flap as in LASIK, the surface
cells are removed with the laser, then the laser thins and reshapes
the cornea just as with LASIK. The surrounding surface cells must
grow back over the center zone of the cornea so healing in terms of
comfort and vision is longer than with LASIK.
In LASIK the flap covers the
area of treatment immediately after the laser treatment so the healing
is easier and faster. The long term results of PRK are similar to
the LASIK procedure.
PRK
is considered safe and effective for patients with low to high myopia,
with or without astigmatism, and low to moderate hyperopia.
