Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), along with the related laser-assisted sub-epithelial keratectomy (LASEK), is a laser eye surgery procedure intended to correct a person's vision and reduce dependency on glasses or contact lenses. It permanently changes the shape of the anterior central cornea using an excimer laser to ablate a small amount of tissue from the corneal stroma, just under the corneal epithelium, whose outer layer is removed before the ablation.
Facts
FAQs
How does PRK differ from LASIK?
PRK discards the corneal epithelium instead of cutting a flap as LASIK does; it avoids flap complications but heals more slowly.
PRK removes the outer layer of the cornea, called the epithelium, and discards it, so the cells can regenerate after the surgery. LASIK instead creates a permanent flap in the deeper layers of the cornea. Because PRK has no flap, it avoids the complications that a flap can cause, but it takes longer to heal and can cause more discomfort at first.
Connections
Treats
Source Wikipedia: Photorefractive Keratectomy
Source Wikipedia: Photorefractive Keratectomy
Sources
1. Wikipedia
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia Foundation
2. Wikipedia: Photorefractive Keratectomy
WikipediaHistory section, first sentence
The first PRK procedure was performed in 1987 by Dr. Theo Seiler, then at the Free University Medical Center in Berlin, Germany.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photorefractive_keratectomy, lead section
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser-assisted sub-epithelial keratectomy (or laser epithelial keratomileusis) (LASEK) are laser eye surgery procedures intended to correct a person's vision, reducing dependency on glasses or contact lenses.
Treats: Hyperopia, Article text, use for Hyperopia
The procedure can be used to treat astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness.
Treats: Astigmatism, Article text, use for Astigmatism
The procedure can be used to treat astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness.
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