What is PRK Surgery?

Your eyes are a window to the world, and this window should be taken care of. Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) is a type of laser surgery that treats vision disturbances caused by refractive errors. You have a refractive error when the light does not reach your eyes by the normal path but bends while reaching the retina due to the change in the shape of your eyes or lens. Refractive errors which PRK can treat are:

• Myopia (near-sightedness)- difficulty in seeing far-off objects
• Hypermetropia or hyperopia (far-sightedness)-difficulty in seeing near objects
• Astigmatism (changes in the shape of the eye)- difficulty in seeing objects at any distance as they appear blurry
• Presbyopia-loss of the ability of the eye to focus and see near objects. This occurs due to aging.

PRK surgery is a predecessor of LASIK surgery, and both procedures work by restructuring the shape of the cornea (the white clear part in the front of the eye), which may have been altered due to refractive errors of the eye. Hence, the light will not bend and fall directly on the retina, leading to improved and clearer vision. After a PRK surgery, some patients will not require glasses for vision.

Studies have revealed that 80% of the people who undergo PRK have shown improvement in their vision after 1 month and 90% after 3 months, proving that PRK is an effective surgery to correct refractive errors of the eye.

Am I a Candidate For PRK Surgery?

PRK surgery is a preferred option if you have eye refractive error, like myopia, hypermetropia, or astigmatism, and want to achieve normal vision without glasses. There are some prerequisites for PRK surgery:

1. You should be 18 years of age or older – Ideal age to get a PRK is 21 years or older when your vision stabilizes and does not change frequently.
2. Your vision should not have changed over the past year – your prescription glasses should have been the same since last year.
3. You should have either myopia, hypermetropia, presbyopia, or astigmatism, which PRK can treat.
4. Your cornea should not be thick- the best results are obtained with a thin cornea.
5. You should not have dry eye syndrome ( a condition where your eyes cannot produce enough tears.
6. You should not have had any eye infections or injuries in the past year.
7. You should not be pregnant or a nursing mother.

It is good to have realistic expectations and have healthy corneas with overall good eye health.

Why Am I Not a Candidate for PRK Surgery?

Sometimes when you have a refractive error and want to get a PRK surgery done, your surgeon may inform you not to undergo surgery if you have:

1. A refractive error that keeps on changing – unstable vision 
2. Scars on the cornea 
3. Diseases of the cornea like keratoconus, keratitis, herpes, etc.
4. Glaucoma at an advanced stage.
5. Cataract that affects your vision
6. Diabetes that is not under control
7. Recurrent eye infections
8. Any skin diseases that will hamper the healing process

Your ophthalmologist will examine your eyes to ensure that you are a suitable candidate for PRK. 

What to Expect in PRK Surgery?

Before undergoing PRK surgery you will meet with your ophthalmologist who will educate you on what will happen before, during, and after the procedure.

Before the surgery

• Your surgeon will discuss your medical and family history and ask about any history of allergies.
• Your surgeon will then perform a thorough eye examination.
• Your surgeon will inform you about the procedure’s cost, benefits, and risks.
• You should inform your surgeon about any medications or supplements you are taking, as you may need to discontinue certain medications before the surgery.
• If you are on antihistamines, your doctor may advise you to stop taking them 3 days before your surgery.
• If you are  taking  blood thinners, you may be advised to stop them a few days before surgery, as advised by your surgeon.
• You will be advised to stop the use of contact lenses at least 2 weeks before the scheduled surgery date. If you use rigid gas permeable contact lenses, then you should stop their use 3 weeks prior to the date of your screening visit .
• You may be given eyedrops that are to be used 3-4 days before the surgery and can be continued after the surgery, too.
• You will be asked to arrange for a family member to accompany you back home after the surgery as PRK is an outpatient procedure and you will be permitted to go home the same day.

During the Surgery

PRK surgery is an outpatient procedure, and you can go home the same day. It is performed by a trained ophthalmic surgeon and takes about 10 to 15 minutes for each eye. Both eyes can be operated in one sitting. Local anesthesia will  be given so you will be awake during the procedure. 

• Your surgeon will instill local anesthetic eyedrops to numb your eyes.
• An eyelid holder will be placed to keep your eyes open during the procedure.
• Your surgeon will remove the outer layer of the cornea (the epithelium) with  a laser, brush, blade, or an alcohol solution. This epithelium will regenerate (regrow) in 3 to 5 days.
• Your surgeon will then use a targeting or excimer laser (programmed with your information) to correct your refractive error by reshaping your cornea. This will be done by using a pulsating beam of ultraviolet light. You may hear continuous beep sounds while this is being performed.
• The surgeon will usually put a contact lens over the eye to prevent eye irritation. This contact lens acts as a bandage and is to be placed for 4 to 5 days. Your surgeon will remove the contact lenses after 4 to 5 days of surgery.
• The same procedure is done for the other eye.

[Note: This procedure does not involve the use of a scalpel, neither any cuts are placed in the eye]

After The Surgery

You will be kept in the observation area until you are stable. You should arrange for a family member to drive you home on the day of the surgery.

• Your surgeon will prescribe antibiotics and anti-inflammatory eye drops for infection and swelling that may develop after the procedure. These signs will subside after a few days. 
• Your surgeon will also give you instructions on taking care of the eyes during recovery for better healing.
• Pain medications will also be prescribed to relieve the pain if it occurs.
• Your surgeon will ask you to refrain from any physical activities for 7 to 10 days following the surgery.
• You may experience sensitivity to light for a week after surgery. This will improve within 3 to 5 days. 
• You will be instructed to wear sunglasses while leaving your house to prevent any damage to the cornea.
• Your surgeon will give you eye shields to wear while sleeping. This will prevent you from accidentally rubbing your eyes during sleep.
• You will be advised against swimming, driving, and strenuous exercises till your eyes heal completely as these will increase the risk of injury.
• You should protect your eyes from dirt or any other substance that may cause irritation to the cornea.
• You will be advised to use lubricating eye drops (to induce tears) to prevent dry eyes as it may cause the cornea to return to its original shape as before surgery.
• You will be further advised to regularly follow up with your surgeon for quicker recovery.

Follow all the instructions given by your doctor for a speedy and effective recovery. Make sure that you attend all follow-up sessions in order to avoid the risk of any complications.

What Are The Side Effects of PRK Surgery?

Following a PRK surgery, you may experience pain and discomfort for 3 to 5 days. Your surgeon will prescribe medication to ease the discomfort. Apart from these, only some side effects of PRK surgery are seen, which too can be treated with medications:

• You may have swelling and irritation in your eyes.
• You may experience more sensitivity to light and may see halos, especially at night. This will happen for some weeks and will subside on its own.
• You may find  everything blurry and cloudy. This is expected for a short period after surgery and will resolve itself .

Other possible risks include corneal scars, infection, watering from the eye/s, regression, and/or delayed healing. Undercorrection or overcorrection can be managed with glasses or contact lenses, or even additional laser surgery. Worse vision or blindness has been found in extremely rare cases. 

PRK surgery is a safe and effective procedure that can improve your vision immensely. It usually takes around 3 to 6 months for complete recovery after PRK surgery. 

Our surgeons at Medfin are available to provide you with expert guidance on PRK surgery and its outcomes. Reach out to us now!

Also Check: Cost of Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) Surgery in Bangalore

Best Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) Surgeons in Bangalore 

Disclaimer: The content on this site is the copyright of Medfin and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered a substitute for medical and surgical expertise. Results from any treatments or surgeries are subjective to an individual patient and the type of procedure/surgery performed. Please seek professional help regarding any medical concerns. Medfin will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.