A refractive operation called photorefractive keratectomy is used to repair vision impairments. The doctor uses a laser to sculpt the cornea so that light can bend (refract) appropriately in the eye.
The LASIK procedure is equivalent to this form of refractive surgery. During PRK, the surgeon reshapes the cornea’s surface with an excimer laser. A corneal flap is not created, a stage in LASIK surgery.
This eye surgery might help those with near-sightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism (an uneven curve of the cornea or lens) or even those who need PRK surgery for astigmatism.
You might not require eyeglasses or contact lenses as much after PRK eye surgery as you did previously. However, you may not even need eyeglasses or contact lenses in the best situation.
What Occurs Before the PRK Procedure?
First, your doctor will examine your eyes thoroughly to determine the best technique to fix your eyesight. Depending on the findings, your PRK eye surgeon doctor may or may not prescribe laser ablation. Next, corneal topographers will take images of your eye and map your cornea thoroughly. No one has a perfectly round cornea, and this topographer will detect any anomalies, such as flatness or steepness, that must be corrected for clear vision.
You must also inform your doctor about any medical issues that might interfere with or alter the surgery’s result before the operation. For example, some medical cases will rule you out as a candidate for PRK surgery for astigmatism, while others will force you to postpone the treatment until a later date. Again, you can inquire with your doctor about the specifics of this.
What Happens During a PRK Procedure?
In most cases, PRK is conducted as an outpatient operation. The PRK technique takes only a few minutes. On the other hand, it might take a minute. You will be awake and unaffected for the remainder of the treatment. To alleviate any discomfort, you will be given some oral sedatives.
In general, patients will not experience any discomfort throughout the PRK surgery process. To reduce pain, anesthetic drops will be applied to your eyes. You will be required to lie down while the doctor places the laser correctly. The eyes are operated on one at a time, and a retainer is identified on each to keep them open. This will be painless, thanks to the anesthetic drops. A suction ring will keep your eye compressed and motionless throughout the process.
There will be a laser machine during the operation that will create a consistent clicking sound. The laser pulses that are being emitted are making this noise. When tissues from your eye are removed, you may notice a mildly acidic odor. During the surgery, the PRK surgeon will have complete control over the laser. If something goes wrong, then this can be turned down at any time. You will be asked to relax for a time once the treatment is completed. If both of your eyes are being operated on on the same day, there may be some wait between operations. Some folks even have their next eye used the following week.
What Does PRK Cost?
According to studies, PRK cost is typically from $1,000 to $3,000 per eye, with an average of $2,300. But, of course, your ultimate pricing will differ from one office to office, just like any other elective medical procedure.
You may wonder why someone would spend $3,000 for an eye when a similar one can be had for $1,000. However, the age-old adage applies to PRK cost surgery: if a price appears too good to be true, it probably is.
After the PRK Procedure, What Happens?
After any operation, you should always follow the doctor’s instructions. You should get plenty of rest, take your prescription drugs on time, and contact your doctor if you have any issues because your eyes are just as susceptible after surgery as during it. In addition, it will help if you exercise caution following the procedure.
You will be required to relax at home immediately following the PRK eye surgery. You should have someone drive you home following the treatment to be safe. Although it is not recommended, you can return to work the next day. It is recommended that you take a week off to relax your eyes. For a week, avoid any challenging exercise since it may stress your eyes, induce damage, and slow the healing process.
It’s not advisable to rub your eyes. The doctor will examine your eyes as regularly as feasible to track their healing process. You may be inspected every day. You may need to wear a specific bandage contact lens for a few weeks following the surgery, apply antibiotic drops, and apply anti-inflammatory drops.
Infections and night glares are two surgical problems that might occur. For example, when you gaze at lights at night while driving, you may observe halos or starbursts.