What are my chances of achieving 20/20 vision with LASIK or PRK? This is what every patient wants to know. A better question might be this: What is the likelihood that my procedure will be successful, given my refractive error? Although it would be unreasonable to be guaranteed 20/20 eyesight after vision correction surgery, it… Read the full article
Category: PRK
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) (Final Pt.)
Discomfort Because your eyes are numb during the surgery, you will feel no pain during either LASIK or PRK. Mild to moderate discomfort is typical with PRK during the first 24-48 hours after surgery. The discomfort is caused by the absence of the epithelium, and disappears as the new epithelium grows over the area of… Read the full article
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) (Pt. 6)
Potential Complications In general, the complications of PRK and LASIK are the same. Absence of Flap Complications One advantage of PRK over LASIK is that there is no risk of flap complications because no corneal flap is created. Corneal Haze Corneal haze is clouding of the cornea during the healing process. This clouding may cause… Read the full article
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) (Pt. 5)
Resuming Activities Your surgeon will place very few restrictions on your activities after your surgery. Activities such as exercising, television watching, driving, and flying are all acceptable when you feel up to them. Heavy workouts should be curtailed for 5 days. Use common sense and listen to your body to decide which activities are right… Read the full article
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) (Pt. 4)
After Your PRK Procedure When you sit up in the laser suite after the treatment, you will immediately notice an improvement in your vision. You will be able to return home after roughly 20 minutes of sitting with your eyes closed and a final check of your eyes from your surgeon. You’ll leave Dr. Kornmehl’s office… Read the full article
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) (Pt. 3)
Your PRK Procedure On the day of your PRK procedure, make sure that you eat lightly in the morning. You’ll also want to avoid wearing eye makeup, facial moisturizer and any cumbersome hair accessories that could interfere with your surgeon’s ability to position your head as needed during the procedure. Also, make sure you wear comfortable… Read the full article
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) (Pt. 2)
Who Is Not a Candidate for PRK? If you have herpes simplex of the eye, you cannot undergo the procedure during an active breakout. Some doctors will do PRK if you go 6 months without a recurrence of herpes. In this case, you will need prophylactic medications before and after the procedure to minimize the… Read the full article
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) (Pt. 1)
Although you may not be a candidate for LASIK, the most popular refractive procedure performed today, you may be a candidate for a procedure known as photorefractive keratectomy, or PRK. This procedure delivers the same visual outcomes as LASIK and has dramatically improved the vision of millions of patients unable to undergo the LASIK procedure…. Read the full article
Risks and Complications with LASIK (Pt. 8)
Corneal Ectasia Corneal ectasia is a disorder that appears just like keratoconus but develops after LASIK. It is also called secondary keratoconus oriatrogenic keratoconus. It is very rare, and its causes are uncertain. Some patients who develop ectasia after LASIK would have developed keratoconus even without LASIK surgery because of their genetic predisposition. Other patients develop it because… Read the full article
Risks and Complications with LASIK (Pt. 7)
Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis This condition, diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK)- also known as “sands of the Sahara” syndrome- is an inflammation that occurs in the space between the corneal flap and the underlying stroma. This relatively rare condition is typically observed by the doctor the day after surgery. You may have no symptoms, or you may notice some haziness… Read the full article