PRK or photorefractive keratectomy

Surgery PRK or photorefractive keratectomy It is a technique used to correct refractive defects such as myopia, farsightedness and astigmatism.

The PRK was the first technique of laser refractive surgery It was used to treat vision defects, and it is still one of the most commonly used procedures to mold the cornea.

PRK or photorefractive keratectomy

Surgery PRK or photorefractive keratectomy It is a technique used to correct refractive defects such as myopia, farsightedness and astigmatism.

The PRK was the first technique of laser refractive surgery It was used to treat vision defects, and it is still one of the most commonly used procedures to mold the cornea.

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What is PRK surgery?

La PRK laser is a refractive surgery that, like the technique Lasik, FemtoLASIK or Lasek, It aims to correct refractive defects that prevent clear vision.

The vision defects may be treated through a photorefractive keratectomy are myopia, farsightedness and / or astigmatism. The PRK laser operation, unlike Lasik surgery, no requires a lamellar cut of the cornea by microkeratome.

This surgery use only the excimer laser to remove between 5% and 10% of the superficial thickness of the cornea to mold the tissue. This percentage is so tiny that it can be compared to the thickness of a hair.

Surgery PRK can get to correct between 5 and 6 diopters of myopia, y 3 astigmatism diopters.

When is it recommended?

PRK surgery, because it does not include a lamellar cut of the cornea, is recommended to correct refractive defects in patients with ametropias with low graduation, in cases of fine cornea, athletes, people who practice high impact activities or professionals from certain areas such as police and firefighters. This is due to try to avoid the displacement of the flap due to an eye trauma after the intervention.

Additionally, through PRK refractive surgery we also indicate it in patients with corneal opacity such as corneal leucoma to improve the transparency of the cornea.

What is?

Surgery PRK laser it's a pretty procedure simple and safe, since it is done in a way ambulatory y hard about 15 minutes.

During the procedure, the patient remains awake, and, before starting surgery, the doctor applies some anesthetic eye drops. Once the anesthesia has taken effect, the doctor will proceed to place the lid speculum to keep the eyelids open during the operation. Then you will use the excimer laser, previously programmed according to the patient's needs, for emit pulses of light beam in the cornea and remove graduation. During all the process, the patient will not experience any pain.

By the end laser performance, the surgeon will place a therapeutic contact lens in the eye that the patient should not withdraw until the tissue regenerates. After surgery, the patient you will rest for a few hours and you can go home. It is important that the person is accompanied, since they will not be able to drive home.

What does PRK surgery treat?

La PRK surgery treats major refractive errors such as myopia, farsightedness and astigmatism.

We can do this treatment in patients who only have one of these errors or several at the same time.

One of the most frequent treatments is the myopia and astigmatism in the same surgical session.

Myopia

Myopia is a refractive error that occurs when a person sees distant objects blurry but can see nearby objects correctly.

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Farsightedness

Farsightedness manifests itself when a person cannot see objects that are close by clearly but can see those that are at a certain distance.

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Astigmatism

Astigmatism occurs when the surface of the cornea is irregular. Resembling the wavy mirrors of amusement parks.

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Postoperative: care to take into account

After a PRK refractive surgery, the ophthalmologist will prescribe medication to the patient Antibiotics y anti-inflammatory Topical use.

The next day of the operation, it is important that the patient remains in home rest undone no visual or physical effort what can cause headache or eye impact.

Ideally, the patient should rest, comply with medical instructions and follow the pharmacological treatment until full recovery.

Recovery time

After PRK laser surgery, we will be programming several medical appointments for evaluate visual progression the patient.

La recovery of photorefractive keratectomy is slower that of the Lasik and FemtoLASIK surgery, because they can happen up to two weeks for eyesight to improve and stabilize.

Usually, the patient will be able to start drive three weeks after the intervention, and you probably have to wait between three and six months for your vision to be completely clear.

Operation Risks

The PRK operation is a fairly simple and safe procedure. In fact, this surgery alone presents problems in only 1% of the interventions. The Risks or complications associated with PRK laser surgery are:

Scar on the cornea which can cause blurred vision and corneal opacity in different areas of the campor visual
Visual aberrations They may appear after any type of eye surgery. Some of these problems are: sensitivity to light, decreased contrast sensitivity, difficulty seeing at night and difficulty driving at night.
Chronic pain and dry eyes which usually disappears over the months.

Lasik or PRK: Which is better?

As experts in refractive surgery, we cannot say that one procedure is better than another, since each one adapts to the needs and ocular characteristics of each patient. The best surgery to treat a refractive error is one that can correct the greatest number of diopters that the patient has, that does not limit their daily activities, and that does not put their eye health at risk.

It is true that surgery Lasik It is the most used method at present and the FemtoLASIK the most modernUnfortunately, not all patients are candidates for this type of surgery. Anyway, the surgery PRK is ideal for those who need to avoid a lamellar cut, As the football players, but it will not always be the best option to completely correct a refractive defect. The decision will always be made by the surgeon in ophthalmology, after having performed the relevant eye study.

Price and financing

Currently, mutual companies and insurance companies do not cover the costs of lasik refractive surgery. In Área Oftalmológica Avanzada We offer different financing plans that allow our patients to correct their vision and pay for the surgery in terms of 3, 6, 9 or 12 months.

Currently, the price of PRK surgery in Área Oftalmológica Avanzada is 850 euros per eye and the preoperative valued in 50 euros is totally free if you operate with us.