Wouldn’t it be fantastic to be able to see clearly without relying on glasses or contact lenses? Fortunately, you can thank laser vision correction surgery which permanently reshapes the cornea so that light is refracted correctly, and patients no longer need to wear prescription eyewear.

PRK is the original type of laser vision correction and is still a very popular and effective treatment. It is a little different from LASIK since it involves the complete removal of the epithelium – the outermost layer of tissue covering the cornea – rather than simply cutting a flap in it to perform the treatment. However, it is this specific technique involving the removal of the epithelium that actually eliminates many of the risks associated with laser vision correction. This is because the flap-creation element of LASIK often leads to a range of complications, including problems with the way that the flap sits and heals and dirt/debris becoming trapped under the flap. These can affect the overall success of the procedure and the quality of your vision.

Since PRK doesn’t involve the creation of a flap, these risks are completely eliminated. Instead, patients are left for their eyes to heal naturally whereby the entire epithelium will regenerate itself over a period of days. This practice helps to make PRK one of the safest of all laser vision correction techniques.

Are there any risks associated with PRK?

There is some degree of general risk associated with any sort of laser vision procedure. However, if you are found to be a good candidate for PRK, it is because the benefits of the procedure are certain to outweigh the slight risks involved.

It’s normal to be in some discomfort for a few days following your PRK laser vision correction treatment, and this is usually sufficiently alleviated using over-the-counter pain medications. You may find that your eyes are slightly watery, irritated and more sensitive to light whilst you are healing. A slight haze to your vision is also fairly common, and this usually resolves itself fairly quickly.

PRK is considered extremely safe when carried out by a trained and experienced professionals. However, it is important to be aware of the risks which include:

- Double vision

- Dry eye syndrome

- Loss of vision that is unable to be corrected using glasses or contact lenses

- Permanent changes to your night vision, such as halos or glare

- Eye correction that becomes less effective over time

Complications resulting from PRK are fairly rare, but if you have any concerns, you shouldn’t hesitate to speak to your provider.

Our commitment to reducing the risks of PRK

Thanks to our investment in the WaveLightⓇ Allegretto WaveⓇ Eye-Q Laser, our PRK surgery is now safer than ever before. This is because this laser is the newest, fastest and most advanced laser available for performing PRK laser vision correction. This FDA-approved laser has a range of advanced features guaranteeing superior precision every time. This includes:

- An eye tracker to track eye movement before the laser pulses are released.

- An integrated cross-line projector that provides perfect alignment of the head and eye position for the treatment.

- A superior ultra-fine beam profile, ensuring precise and accurate laser application and a smooth ablation.

- Closed-loop energy control ensures the stability of the laser strength throughout the treatment, rather than potential variations caused by mains power.

- The ability to address spherical distortions and take the individual curvature of each eye into account.

Our use of the WaveLightⓇ Allegretto WaveⓇ Eye-Q Laser means that we can offer PRK surgery with unrivaled safety and minimal risk to our patients.

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To find out more about PRK surgery, or to schedule a consultation to discuss your suitability for this procedure, please get in touch by calling our offices today.