Photorefractive Keratectomy
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)
PRK, or Photorefractive Keratectomy, is used to correct mild to moderate nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Like LASIK, a surgeon uses a laser to reshape your cornea. But it only affects the cornea’s surface, not the tissue underneath. Your doctor may also use computer imaging of the cornea. This surgery is done with the same kind of excimer laser used for LASIK. The excimer laser beam reshapes the cornea by removing tiny amounts of tissue from the outer surface.
The procedure uses a computer to map the eye’s surface. It also calculates how much tissue to remove. This surgery only takes a few minutes. Because the cornea surface is removed, it takes a few weeks to heal.
The most common side effects include:
- Eye pain that may last for several weeks
- Mild corneal haze right after surgery
- Glare or halos around lights for months after surgery
