PRK: An Alternative to LASIK
Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, Olympia, and Tacoma, Washington
Many people who would love to have LASIK surgery are not good candidates because their corneas are too thin, their activities pose a risk of dislodging the flap, they have large pupils, or they have dry eyes–all contraindications for LASIK.
If you are one of these people, Kent Leavitt, M.D., ophthalmologist at Bellevue Lasik & Cornea would like to share some good news. For many of you, photorefractive keratectomy, known as PRK, may be an acceptable alternative. You may have heard of PRK by the alternative name Advanced Surface Ablation, or ASA.
PRK Similarities and Differences to LASIK
PRK, or ASA, offers most of the benefits of LASIK. Corneal ablation is done in the same manner as LASIK and the PRK patient can benefit from WaveFront diagnostics and the ability to use that data to guide the laser during surgery. The difference between LASIK and PRK is in how Dr. Leavitt gains access to the corneal tissue.
In PRK, a brush is used to gently brush away the epithelial cells that cover the cornea. In LASIK, the epithelium is sliced thinly and then laid back as a flap that is reattached after the surgery.
PRK Advantages
Do not be disheartened if you must have PRK as there are many advantages including:
- PRK is a safer procedure for people who enjoy sports or other rough activities that can dislodge a flap.
- PRK may be an alternative for people who have thin corneas that have insufficient tissue to provide both a flap and enough tissue to ablate safely in LASIK.
- PRK poses less risk of developing dry-eye after surgery than LASIK.
- PRK may be effective for people with large pupils who are not eligible for LASIK.
- PRK may be effective for people with keratoconus, or others who have a loose epithelium.
- PRK results in fewer complaints of haze than LASIK.
- PRK usually achieves 20/20 or better vision in over 65% of cases, and 95% can pass a driver’s test without corrective lenses.
- PRK is done on an outpatient basis.
PRK Recovery
Immediate recovery from PRK takes longer than from flap-based laser surgeries, simply because the epithelium takes time to grow back. A soft contact “bandage” lens is worn to protect the cornea during the time these cells are regenerating. Patients can return to work in two days to one week, and can drive in about a week. It takes about six to eight weeks to achieve clear, sharp vision. At that point recovery is comparable to LASIK and LASEK.
If you are one of the many people who did not qualify for LASIK, please contact Bellevue LASIK & Cornea to schedule a complimentary evaluation with Kent Leavitt, M.D., an experienced laser eye surgeon serving patients near Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, Olympia, and Tacoma, Washington.