PRK
Panama City, Florida
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The original laser vision correction surgery, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), is still used today. Though it now takes the backseat to other, more advanced procedures like LASIK surgery, PRK is recommended for patients with thin or irregular corneas.
PRK was invented in the early 1980s, but was not available in the United States until the procedure was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1995.
PRK vs. LASIK
As opposed to LASIK surgery that creates an incisional flap in your cornea, PRK removes a small surface of your corneal cells. PRK is performed with an excimer laser, which uses a cool ultraviolet light beam to remove small bits of tissue from your cornea’s surface. This reshapes your cornea, allowing it to better focus light into your eye and onto your retina—creating clear, crisp vision.
Whether you are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism, PRK will work for you. This procedure flattens the too-steep cornea for those who are nearsighted and creates a steeper cornea for far-sighed people. The excimer laser can also correct astigmatism by smoothing out a misshaped cornea.
A Longer Recovery
New innovative procedures are being chosen before PRK, mainly because of the procedure’s recovery time. With PRK, a contact lens is placed on your eye’s surface for the first few days, but your vision is gained steadily over a month’s span.
On the flip side, there are some occasions where PRK is the only suitable procedure, because of the thickness or other characteristics of your cornea. Some branches of law enforcement may only undergo PRK corrective surgery.
Dr. Fisher can help you determine which procedure is best for you as part of your complete initial evaluation and testing.
If you are tired of wearing glasses or contacts and want to make a permanent improvement to your vision, please contact the Eye Center of North Florida today. The Eye Center of North Florida offers a thorough screening and a friendly, professional atmosphere. Please call our office today and be on your way to seeing the world clearly. Nine doctors. One vision—Yours.
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