Can You Get PRK Surgery Twice?
Photorefractive keratectomy, or PRK for short, is the very first and original form of laser vision correction surgery. Like later techniques, it focuses on the reshaping of the domed lens covering the front part of the eye, called the cornea. However, in PRK the entire outer layer of tissue, called the epithelium, is removed to perform the surgery. The epithelium naturally regenerates over the course of the recovery period, but removing it eliminates many of the complications experienced by patients who choose techniques such as LASIK.
Most people think that once they have had laser vision correction, they won’t need any further treatment. The surgery itself and the physical changes that it makes to your cornea to correct your vision are permanent, in that they won’t start to wear off months or years downtime. However, there are circumstances in which an eye doctor or laser vision surgeon will recommend patients to have a second PRK surgery.
Why might someone need PRK surgery twice?
There are a number of reasons why a patient may require a secondary/subsequent PRK surgery. Two of the most common include:
To improve visual acuity
Although the vast majority of PRK laser vision correction surgeries increase patient’s vision enough for them to be able to see clearly without using glasses or contact lenses, a small number of people – approximately 2% of patients - may not achieve optimal visual acuity. If this is the case for you, you may be recommended to undergo a subsequent PRK procedure to ensure maximum effectiveness from your surgery.
To address presbyopia
Unfortunately, just like the rest of our body, our eyes are affected by the natural aging process and this can cause changes to them and to our vision. For example, as we get older, cellular changes within the natural lens of the eye means that it begins to harden, becoming less flexible and less able to adjust to help us focus on the objects that we are viewing. This is called presbyopia and affects virtually everyone.
What to expect from repeat PRK laser vision correction?
If you choose to have a second PRK procedure, there’s nothing to worry about. Subsequent/follow-up surgery is usually the same as the original procedure in that the entire epithelium will be removed to allow access to the underlying cornea in order to reshape it. You’ll be given the same pre-operative and aftercare instructions as before, and it will be essential that you follow these.
Am I a good candidate for secondary PRK surgery?
Before you can go ahead with a secondary PRK surgery, your suitability will need to be assessed by your PRK provider. One of the main things that they will be evaluating, aside from the current health of your eyes and the quality of your vision, is the thickness of your corneal tissue. This is because every time you undergo laser vision correction, a small amount of the cornea is removed for it to be reshaped. If your cornea is naturally thin, to begin with, or it becomes too thin, subsequent laser eye surgery may no longer be possible.
If you would like to find out more about PRK surgery or to schedule a consultation, please contact our laser vision correction team today.
