The initial type of Laser Eye Surgery procedure performed was called Photorefractive Keratectomy or PRK. PRK has proven to be to be a safe, effective and predictable method of Laser Eye Surgery and enabled millions of patients to have Laser Vision Correction by the end 1998. PRK has a number of clinical advantages over other types of Laser Eye Surgery including LASIK. However, PRK has two particular disadvantages that have somewhat limited its growth and application overall.
First, in PRK, the Excimer laser is used to treat the surface of the cornea, which is the dome shaped lens on the front of the eye. In order to apply the laser treatment effectively necessitates gently removing the outermost layer of the cornea, called the epithelium. For some patients this may cause moderate discomfort during the first day or so of the healing process.
Second, the corneal epithelium serves many functions including providing a smooth optical surface. Since it is removed, it may require several days or more for some patients to achieve a good clear visual recovery.
Nonetheless, PRK is in fact the Laser Eye Surgery procedure of choice for certain patients including those who have particularly thin corneas, those who actively participate in contact sports, and those in active military duty.
The limitations of moderate discomfort and a sometimes a bit lengthy visual recovery stimulated eye surgeons to further refine the technique of Laser Eye Surgery to facilitate quicker visual recovery and make it as comfortable a procedure as possible.
For a complete review of Laser Eye Surgery including LASIK, LASIK risks, LASIK complications, contraindications to having LASIK, possible LASIK problems and LASIK side effects you may visit www.fda.gov or www.seewithlasik.com.
D’Ambrosio Eye Care under the direction of Boston Eye Surgeon Francis D’Ambrosio Jr., M.D. provides Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) for vision correction in greater Boston Massachusetts and is conveniently located for Massachusetts Cataract patients from Lancaster, Acton, Gardner, Athol, Clinton, Harvard, Fitchburg, Westminster, Templeton, Worcester, Milford, Marlborough, Boxborough, Westborough, Lowell, Lexington, Leominster, Lunenburg, Shirley, Winchendon. Sterling, Littleton, Boylston, Hudson, Berlin, Bolton, Stowe, Sudbury, Chelmsford, Groton and Concord Massachusetts. To schedule an appointment for a Consultation for Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) for vision correction please call us at 1.800.325.3937.
