Surgery Overview
PRK (photorefractive
keratectomy), LASEK (laser epithelial
keratomileusis), and epi-LASIK (epithelial laser in-situ
keratomileusis) use a
to reshape the
. By reshaping the cornea, these surgeries
allow light to focus on the
and thereby correct a person's
vision.
With PRK, the top
layer on the surface of the cornea (epithelium) is removed. Then the laser
reshapes the cornea. The laser removes tissue from the cornea very accurately
without damaging nearby tissues. The layer grows back during the healing
process. PRK may be used to correct
and
at the same time.
With
LASEK, the surface layer of the cornea is loosened and pushed to the side.
After the laser reshapes the cornea, the surface layer is placed back over the
cornea.
Epi-LASIK is
similar to PRK and LASEK. With epi-LASIK, the surface layer over the cornea is
lifted with a special machine. Like LASEK, the layer is replaced over the
cornea after the laser reshapes the cornea.
PRK, LASEK, and
epi-LASIK are sometimes called surface ablation. They are different from LASIK
(laser in-situ keratomileusis) because they do not involve cutting flaps of the
cornea.
Many people have PRK or LASEK done instead of
LASIK because of the shape and condition of their eyes. LASEK may also be safer
for people with certain lifestyles, such as professional athletes, police
officers, and firefighters.
What To Expect After Surgery
PRK,
LASEK, and epi-LASIK are
. They are done under
in a surgeon's office or a same-day
surgery center. The procedure takes about 30 minutes, most of which is spent
preparing your eye and the laser. The actual treatment time is very short. Most
treatments take a minute or less (treatment for
may take longer than a minute). The
entire process may take about 2 hours, including preparation time, care right
after the surgery, and paperwork.
After surgery, you may wear a
patch or contact lens on the eye and get a prescription for pain medicine.
Someone must drive you home and then back to the surgeon's office the next day.
During this second visit, the surgeon will examine your eye and prescribe
eyedrops to prevent infection and reduce inflammation. More follow-up visits
are required, usually the next week and then throughout the first year after
surgery.
- Recovery from these surgeries is longer and
more painful than recovery from either radial keratotomy (RK) or laser in-situ
keratomileusis (LASIK). But you may return to your normal activities within a
few days.
- For 2 to 3 days after surgery, some people may have pain, aching or throbbing, or a
feeling that there is something in the eye.
- Your vision will be reduced for several days after surgery. Your
vision may remain blurry for days to weeks after surgery. Do not drive until
your vision has cleared.
- For 2 weeks after surgery, avoid vigorous
sports, eye makeup, and activities that may get water in the eye. The surgeon
may recommend that you shower before the surgery and then avoid showering for a
day or two afterward to keep from getting water in the eye.