What I Learned About PRK Photorefractive Keratectomy.
Are you having trouble seeing things clearly? I couldn’t believe it, but about a year ago I couldn’t read the fine print on the back of the product labels. I also got extremely tired when I had to drive at night … so I got an eye exam and of course … I needed glasses … and I hate wearing glasses … so I started researching what we affiliate marketers can do when our vision is fulfilled goes down the drain …
If you have to wear glasses or contacts to function normally … then you have to read this because it’s the best I have come across that has been shown to work (and no, this is not an affiliate marketing claim from bs, LOL, right?)
Many people have vision problems and it seems like there is just one bigger problem. When I was a kid, I didn’t notice many people with glasses. It was something of a stereotype that only the geeks and some people who study around the clock have them. Today the situation is very different. Most people have problems with their eyesight. Wearing glasses is now socially recognized and, unlike in the past, you will not be bullied for it. People wear glasses, contacts, or operations to improve them.
Glasses are the common choice, but they also have some disadvantages. Rain, cold weather, and some activities make them an obstacle. Plus, they’re hell with most of the face masks we have to use these days. You also can’t wear glasses everywhere; activities like swimming make their use incredibly restricted.
What types of corrective eye surgery are there?
The age-old vision problem has several solutions that differ in quality and price. The most popular corrective eye surgeries are:
- LASIK (Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis)
- LASEK (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis)
- EpiLasic
- ALK (Automated lamellar keratoplasty)
- RLE (Refractive lens exchange)
- PRELEX (Presbyopic Lens Exchange)
- Intacs
- Phakic intraocular lens implants
- IF (Astigmatic keratotomy)
- PRK (Photorefractive keratectomy)
Most of these procedures attempt to reshape the cornea so that light can pass through it. Some techniques go even further and try to replace the lens of the eye or insert external lenses into your eye.
Of these operations, LASIK and PRK are currently the most popular and successful. Of course, not every surgery is designed for every type of eye disease or problem, so choices can be very limited at times.
It is often difficult to choose from these two. However, most experts agree that overall, PRK is the better choice.
What is PRK (PRK Photorefractive Keratectomy)?)?
PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy, is a type of refractive surgery. It uses lasers to treat vision problems caused by refractive errors in the eye. Refractive errors occur when your eye does not refract (bend) light properly, causing blurred or foggy vision.
PRK can change the shape of your cornea, helping the light to reflect properly in your eye. This technique can be used to treat a wide variety of eye diseases such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. The aim of this procedure is to reduce the need for corrective devices such as glasses and contact lenses. In some cases, the procedure can be so effective that the patient does not need visual equipment for proper vision.
The system is very complicated and an advanced computer tracks the patient’s eye up to 4,000 times per second to ensure that the laser does not hit an area it is not supposed to hit. The laser aims at the outer layer of the cornea. This layer is soft and usually grows back quickly within a few days. This soft layer, the so-called corneal epithelium, is removed and discarded so that the cells can regenerate after the operation. During removal, the lens is slightly shaped to correct the patient’s vision. Unlike some forms of eye correction like LASIK, PRK does not create permanent flaps on deeper layers of the cornea.
What Do You Need To Know Before Undergoing Eye Surgery (PRK Photorefractive Keratectomy)?
An eye operation cannot be decided today for tomorrow. You need to make an early decision, consult a doctor or an expert. Check if you are a suitable candidate and more.
Some of the basic requirements for photorefractive PRK keratectomy are:
- You are 18 years of age or older
- Your vision hasn’t changed in the last year or more
- Your vision can be improved to at least 20/40
- If you are nearsighted, your prescription must be between -1.00 and -12.00 diopters
- You are not pregnant
Even if you meet the basic requirements, some special situations can mean that you are no longer eligible for the operation. Some of them are:
- Chronic allergies that affect your eyes
- Conditions that affect vision and the eyes, such as glaucoma or diabetes
- Autoimmune diseases such as arthritis or lupus
- Thin corneas that are not suitable for operation
- Large pupils which increase the risk of visual impairment
- Previous operations on the eyes
If you still believe you qualify for a PRK Photorefractive Keratectomy, you will need to get approval from the doctors performing the surgery. They have their testing method if you are a suitable candidate as they don’t want to ruin your eyesight any further.
The price is also something to consider before making any plans for corrective eye surgery. These types of operations do not fall under health care as they are considered voluntary. This means that you will have to pay with your own money and unfortunately these procedures are not cheap. In high-end clinics, these procedures can cost anywhere from $ 5,000 to $ 10,000! That’s a huge amount and not everyone can get that much out of it.
Some people have chosen to go abroad, where it’s much cheaper, and do it there, but there are always risks involved.
What is the recovery after a photorefractive PRK keratectomy and what are the risks?
One of the biggest differences between LASIK and PRK is the recovery time. With LASIK, you can be up to full view in a matter of days, while PRK can take up to a month to get your full view.
After the PRK, you will need to weaken small contact-like bandages over your eye for some time. These sometimes cause irritation and sensitivity to light for a few days until your epithelium begins to heal. After about a week, these bandages should be removed and then your vision will be much clearer.
You need to continue the healing process by using eye drops or some lubricants to keep your eyes moist and healthy. There may even be mild pain and / or discomfort.
Your vision should slow down by the day. After about a month, your eyes should be completely healed and your vision should be as good as possible!
LASIK and PRK should be equally effective, but it’s important to know that the processes are slightly different. LASIK has a much shorter recovery time and PRK is generally considered to be safer. But as with any surgery, there are some risks!
Possible risks of these corrective PRK surgeries for photorefractive keratectomy are:
- Dry eyes
This is far more common with LASIK than with PRK and can take six months or sometimes even permanent. - Visual problems
Sometimes the surgeries don’t go as well as they should and your eyesight can be damaged in certain ways. These problems include glare from bright lights, halos around lights, or double images. Sometimes your vision may be worse at night than it was before, but this is usually not permanent.
Sometimes not enough corneal tissue is removed during the procedure. This can lead to undercorrection or insufficient visual clarity. This can sometimes be remedied with a follow-up operation.
- Visual distortion
In contrast to removing too little tissue, sometimes too much is removed. This can lead to visual distortions known as ectasia. This is a very serious problem that needs to be resolved as soon as possible to avoid further eye damage.
- astigmatism
Due to the surgery, the eye curve may sometimes deteriorate and your eyesight may deteriorate. This may result in you wearing glasses again or having re-operation. - Permanent loss of vision
This is very rare, but it does happen sometimes. There is little risk of complications that could result in partial or total loss of vision.
Problems with these surgeries are rare, but they do occur sometimes. You should weigh the potential risks against the benefits and decide whether surgery is the best choice for you.
Should You Have PRK Surgery?
As with most things, this is a personal question that is best answered by yourself. Eye correction surgeries with PRK Photorefractive Keratectomy have the chance to improve your life dramatically. You can say goodbye to corrective glasses and contact lenses and see the world clearly with both of your eyes. Of course, all of this is easier said than done. There are some risks associated with the operations themselves that you should be aware of, and they are not the cheapest thing you can do.
But for most people, they are worth the price. There’s nothing like perfect vision, and that’s where corrective eye surgeries like PRK and LASIK come into play. Most experts recommend PRK for security reasons. However, the selection should be made by consulting an expert on the subject.
Do you have any vision problems? Have you ever thought about having corrective eye surgery? Let me know in the comments.
