PRK Technology

in Visalia, Fresno and Tulare, California

PRK (Photo-Refractive Keratectomy) technology involves using a laser to resculpt the cornea of the eye. PRK is a good alternative for patients who are not good candidates for LASIK procedures. Dr. Sunalp of Fresno, California is a skilled and board certified ophthalmologist who can help you determine whether or not this procedure is for you.

How PRK Works

Before surgery, a local anesthetic in the form of eye drops is placed in each eye. PRK does not involve any incisions, so the structure of the cornea is not weakened. The top surface of the cornea is removed from the eye. This layer is called the epithelium. A laser is used to reshape the cornea to improve the patient's vision. The laser sculpting takes approximately sixty seconds, and the entire procedure is completed within about fifteen minutes.

After the procedure, patients report some minor discomfort until the outer portion of the cornea heals. But, after about 48–72 hours the discomfort goes away. Some patients experience a dramatic improvement in vision in the first day. For others, vision may fluctuate for a few days or longer. Most people are able to return to normal activity within 1–3 days.

Are You a Candidate?

To qualify for PRK surgery, you must:

• Be over 18
• Have healthy corneas
• Have no significant vision changes in the past year
• Have no chronic eye disease
• Have no autoimmune diseases

Laser vision correction is approved for the following conditions:

• Myopia up to -11D
• Astigmatism up to -3D
• Hyperopia up to +3D
• Mixed astigmatism up to -5D

You should undergo a thorough screening exam to find out if you are eligible for PRK surgery. The surgery screening involves:

• Wavescan for identifying and measuring imperfections in the eye
• Topography for checking the surface of the cornea
• Pachymetry for measuring the thickness of the cornea

Pregnant and nursing women are not candidates for this procedure.

Results

You must be sure you have realistic expectations about the outcome of your surgery. Base your decision to undergo PRK surgery only on facts. The goal of PRK surgery is to reduce your need for dependency on corrective lenses. You are not guaranteed to have 20/20 vision after the surgery. In patients over 40, distance vision may be improved, but the need for reading glasses may still exist.

To learn more about PRK and other forms of vision correction in Fresno or anywhere else in California, please contact Dr. Sunalp today.

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