What is prk surgery?

PRK or photorefractive keratectomy is a refractive surgery procedure, A laser is used to address visual difficulties caused by refractive defects in this kind of surgery, When your eye does not refract bend light correctly, you have a refractive error. Your ophthalmologist will use a laser to alter the shape of your cornea during PRK, The way light rays are focused on the retina is improved as a result of this, Myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism are all treated with PRK. The purpose of photorefractive keratectomy is to enhance your eyesight by correcting your refractive defect, Prk surgery may eliminate the need for spectacles or contact lenses, In many cases, you may be able to get rid of them permanently.  

During PRK, What Should You Expect?

• Before surgery

Consult your ophthalmologist about the risks, benefits, and costs of PRK, To decide if this surgery is correct for you, your doctor will evaluate your medical history, test your vision, examine your eyes, and measure your cornea and pupil.

You might not be a good candidate If you're:

• • under 21
  • pregnant
  • breastfeeding
  • have pre-existing diseases including:

 Cornea disease, uncontrolled diabetes, cataracts, dry eye syndrome, or severe glaucoma.

• During Prk surgery

PRK is an outpatient operation that takes less than 10 minutes to complete, Your doctor will use an eyelid holder to keep your eye open throughout the surgery after numbing it with anesthetic medications.

The epithelium, or outer layer of the cornea, will next be removed with a laser, brush, blade, or alcohol solution.

While a laser reshapes your cornea depending on your eye measurements, you will be requested to gaze at a target light, In this case, the contact lenses will act as a bandage and will be placed by the surgeon

• After surgery

After Prk surgery, ask a friend or family member to drive you home, Follow your doctor's recommendations for aftercare,Rest, avoid vigorous physical activity and keep away from eye-irritating items.

To prevent infection and assist recovery, your doctor will prescribe eye drops, Sun exposure following surgery might cause corneal scarring, so use sunglasses outside, For the first 24 to 36 hours, you may suffer some eye discomfort, as well as short-term clouded vision, For pain, your ophthalmologist may prescribe over-the-counter or prescription eye drops.

Follow your doctor's instructions for follow-up appointments; eyesight stabilization can take up to three months.

 

What are PRK's Advantages?

Without glasses or contacts, an estimated 90 to 95 percent of Prk surgery attain 20/40 vision or greater, Reading and nighttime activities may still require glasses, and eyesight deteriorates with age. PRK has the same long-term advantages as LASIK, People who aren't solid candidates for LASIK, such as those with thin corneas, may be suitable candidates for PRK, rather than LASIK, maybe a superior option for athletes, A flap is created in the cornea during LASIK, which can be displaced by touch or damage.  

What are PRK's disadvantages?

Any procedure entails some level of risk, Scarring, infection, cloudiness of the cornea, and a "halo effect" surrounding lights are all possible side effects of PRK. There is a chance that your eyesight will be overcorrected or undercorrected, which may be corrected with glasses, contacts, or more surgery, In some circumstances, eyesight may deteriorate as a result of PRK. LASIK has a more extended initial healing period, Many patients report improved vision within days following Prk surgery, However, the epithelium can take several days to repair, and eyesight can take up to three months to settle.  

How to Recover from Prk surgery

You'll recuperate at the clinic after surgery and then return home, Other than relaxing, don't plan anything else for that day. Closing your eyes might help with recovery and general comfort, The doctor may want to visit you the next day to review the results and your comfort level. If you detect any of the following symptoms of an eye infection, contact your doctor right away:

• redness
• pus
• swelling
• fever

If the bandage contact lens becomes dislodged or falls out, call your doctor right once, To have the lenses removed from your eyes, you must return within seven days, Your vision may initially be better than it was before the operation. During the first several days of recovery from Prk surgery, though, it will become slightly hazy, Then it will significantly improve, When bandage contact lenses are removed, many people experience an improvement in their eyesight. Don't rub your eyes, or the contacts that cover them will fall out, For at least a week, keep cosmetics, soap, shampoo, and other things away from your eyes, When you may wash your face with soap or shampoo, ask your doctor.   While your eyes recuperate, your doctor may advise you to take some time off, Consult your doctor before driving, reading, or using a computer, These kinds of activities will be challenging at first, Driving should be avoided until your vision is clear, particularly at night. Finally, avoid getting sweat in your eyes for at least a week since this might cause discomfort, For at least one month, refrain from participating in contact sports or any other activity that might harm your eyes.  

Magrabi’s advice

Both Prk surgery and LASIK are regarded as safe and successful treatments that enhance eyesight considerably. Unless you have particular conditions that force you to perform one or the other, deciding between the two might be challenging, Your doctor will recommend PRK if you have thin corneas or impaired eyesight. LASIK may be a better option if you need to recuperate quickly, Therefore, if you are confused about this matter, it is preferable to go to our specialized ophthalmologist at Magrabi Hospitals and Centers, It will guide you towards the safest and most effective method for you.