Am I a Good Candidate for PRK Surgery?
PRK surgery refers to Photorefractive Keratectomy. It is a type of laser surgery. It is a good alternative for people who are not eligible for LASIK surgery. PRK surgery is used to reshape the surface of the cornea. The two procedures are almost identical. The only difference between LASIK and PRK surgery is in how they access the cornea. During LASIK surgery, a flap is made on the outer cornea layer. It is then replaced and left to heal without sutures. During PRK surgery, the epithelial layer is removed completely. The cells regenerate later to make a new corneal flap. Here are requirements for patients who are eligible for PRK Surgery.
Must Be 18 Years and Above With Stable Vision
Patients who are younger than 18 years are not good candidates for PRK surgery. At 18 your cornea also reaches a mature age. Your eye is now developed and stable. Your vision must be stable as well. If you have been having a fluctuating vision for a while, it is better to treat that first. After your vision has stabilized, then you can have the PRK surgery.
Have a Regular Cornea
If your cornea has an irregular shape, PRK surgery might not suit you. Some patients have a cone-shaped cornea due to keratoconus disorder. Reshaping it with an excimer laser does not give positive results. Even if the cornea may not be perfect, it must not have a drastically irregular shape. Your cornea should be free from infections and injury. Your cornea must also be free from infection or injury in the last year. In case it was infected before, it is good to make sure it heals properly before going for the surgery.
Be Diabetes Free
Diabetic patients have a lot of limitations with surgeries. During PRK surgery, the whole epithelium is removed. Diabetic patients may have problems with healing after the procedure. A major fluctuation in glucose levels can cause short-term vision problems. Hypoglycemia also causes rapturing of blood vessels in the eye, which can cause infection.
Be Free From Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases are a no-go zone when it comes to most surgeries. People with autoimmune diseases hyper-react to any invasion in their bodies. The body can fight the surgery site and make it worse after the procedure. Healing can take longer making the surgery site prone to infection. People with autoimmune diseases react to anesthesia and medication differently. You can never be certain that they will recover from the surgery.
Don’t Be Expecting or Lactating a Baby
Pregnant and lactating mothers have fluctuating hormones. They are also predisposed to other conditions such as anemia, hypertension, and hyperemesis gravidarum. Such conditions make them poor candidates for most types of surgery. They can interfere with proper healing after the procedure. During PRK surgery, strong anesthetic medication is used. Even after the procedure, strong medication is given to reduce pain and inflammation. These types of medications may not be friendly to the baby.
For more information on eye surgery, visit Laser Vision Delaware at our offices in Wilmington, Delaware. You can also call 302-656-2020 to book an appointment.
