Have you been struggling with visual impairment problems your whole life? Are you tired of wearing your eyeglasses or contact lenses? If so, you should consider laser vision correction surgery. This type of treatment can make a dramatic difference to your eyesight and reduce your reliance on corrective eyewear.

The Purpose of Laser Vision Correction Surgery

This procedure aims to improve vision by gently altering the shape of your corneas to make them focus light differently. It involves steeping the corneas in farsighted individuals and flattening them slightly in nearsighted ones.

Photorefractive Keratectomy

PRK surgery is one of the most common eye surgeries in America. With so many patients undergoing the procedure, you may wonder how it differs from LASIK. The most significant difference between the two is that PRK does not involve the creation of a corneal flap before reshaping the cornea.

That is great for those who participate in physical activities that could lead to an eye injury. Many people choose PRK over LASIK because it improves vision without the higher risk of LASIK flap discolorations or eye injuries.

PRK Surgery Stages

Modern PRK procedures have improved accuracy, comfort, and recovery times thanks to advances in surface ablation. That said, it would help to know what to expect when you decide to undergo this surgery.

Stage One

Your eye doctor will position your eye under the laser and use a lid speculum to maintain the eyelids open. The procedure involves completely removing the outer corneal layer, known as the epithelium, and discarding it instead of creating an access flap. A new epithelium will grow back in the days following your surgery.

That sounds a bit scary, but the treatment is safer and as accurate as LASIK when performed by a skilled and experienced eye surgeon. Furthermore, it does not involve any risks associated with creating a corneal flap. So, you will maintain the original integrity and strength of your eye.

Stage Two

Once your eye surgeon exposes your corneal tissue, they will reshape your cornea using a specialized laser. The PRK laser uses a cool UV light beam to remove tiny amounts of corneal tissue with exceptional precision. Eye surgeons use different reshaping techniques to enable the cornea to focus light on the retina accurately for improved vision.

Stage Three

After reshaping your cornea, the treatment draws to a close. Unlike with LASIK, there is no flap to replace. The epithelial surface will grow back within a few days. In the meantime, your eye doctor may place protective contact lenses to facilitate faster healing and comfort.

What to Expect After PRK Surgery

You can expect to wear the protective contact lenses for about one week to let your eye’s surface heal. You will see your eye doctor several times during the next six months. The first visit is usually one day after surgery, and the next about a week later for the doctor to remove the contact lenses.

Your vision may switch from blurry to clear for the first few weeks as your eyes heal until it evens out. Also, your eyes will be dry, even if they do not feel that way. Prescription eye drops will help keep your eyes moist and prevent infection. Your vision will gradually improve, but it may take several weeks or months to see your best.

​​​​​​​For more about laser vision correction, visit Laser Vision Delaware at our Wilmington, Delaware office. Call 302-656-2020 to schedule an appointment today.