PROCEDURES AVAILABLE — PRK REFRACTIVE SURGERY

If you have a refractive error, such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) or astigmatism, you probably wear glasses or contact lenses to see clearly, but wish you had other options. Now you do. PRK can reduce your dependence on wearing glasses or contact lenses.

PRK, which stands for photorefractive keratectomy (photo means "light," kerat- means "cornea," -ectomy means "cutting"). The procedure is done with an excimer laser, to change the curvature of the cornea - the clear "windshield" at the front of the eye that is a major part of your normal focusing system. The difference between the PRK and LASIK is that with PRK, the laser reshapes the outside surface of the cornea, and with LASIK, the laser procedure is done after a thin flap of corneal tissue is created and gently folded back.

After surgery, a "bandage" contact lens will be placed on your eye, and the eye will be covered by a clear protective eye shield. You will need to wear the contact lens until the corneal surface heals, usually 3-4 days. At that point, you should notice an improvement in vision, which should get even better over the following weeks.

Suitable for the following eye problems:

• Nearsightedness
• Farsightedness
• Astigmatism

Who is a good candidate?
The best candidates have mild to moderate nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and/or astigmatism. PRK refractive surgery is also suitable for higher prescriptions. You must be over the age of 18, in good shape physically and have healthy corneas.

Screening Consultation
Give us a call to set up your complimentary screening consultation, 541-687-2110.

Related Information About PRK Refractive Surgery:

• Risks and Limitations
• Surgery Center
• Patient Instructions
• Financial Responsibility
• CapitalOne Healthcare Finance
• Informed Consent
• Procedures Available Main Page
  

Commonly Asked Questions:

How soon after surgery will I see well?
Each patient is different. Most patients experience an improvement immediately. Vision gets better over the following weeks.

Will refractive surgery hurt?
During the procedure, a strong topical anesthetic is used to numb the eye. Generally, only pressure is felt during the procedure.

Will I still need my glasses or contacts?
The goal of refractive surgery is to reduce your dependence on glasses and/or contact lenses, but PRK patients still may benefit from reading glasses or distance glasses when they desire perfect near or distance vision.

Will my insurance cover PRK?
Most health care coverage considers PRK surgery an elective surgical procedure and does not cover it. For our PRK patients, we highly recommend CapitalOne Healthcare Finance. Find out more about it here.