PRK PROCEDURE
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a form of laser vision correction in which a laser eye surgeon removes the surface layer of the cornea (the epithelium) and then reshapes the corneal bed with the laser in the same way as LASIK vision correction. This technique is usually used for people whose cornea may be too thin to safely allow for the creation of the corneal flap required for LASIK.
PRK’s advantage is that it can be used for:
- Patients whose cornea may be too thin to make the corneal “flap” one receives with LASIK.
- Patients with irregular astigmatism or previous eye surgery.
- For some patients with risk of future eye trauma, such as people with certain occupations and people who do particular sports.
PRK can be used for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. After undergoing the procedure, most patients can return to most of their regular daily routines in 5-7 days. The improvement in vision achieved after PRK is gradual and can take longer to obtained than with LASIK, but PRK is preferred by many surgeons for particular cases. Talk to our team at BC LASIK about the PRK option.
PREPARING FOR YOUR CONSULTATION
Before arriving at your consultation, please be sure to read the following:
-If you have a copy of your last eye exam, please bring that to the appointment
-If you are wearing prescription glasses, please bring them the appointment
-Duration of the appointment is up to 1.5 hours.
-Lubricating tears (Preservative-free Systane hydration or Thealoz Duo drops): we recommend using lubricating drops a min 4-6 drops per day 1-2 weeks prior to your assessment.
-Contact Lenses change the shape of the cornea therefore; contact lenses must be removed to ensure the cornea is in its most natural state.
*Regular soft contacts are to be removed 2 days prior to your appointment
*Toric soft contacts are to be removed 1 week prior to your appointment
*PMMA/ RGP/Sclera (Hard contacts) are to be removed for 4 weeks plus an additional week for each decade worn prior to your appointment.
-Please note that we may dilate your pupils. You may need a designated driver.
–Late arrivals: if you arrive 30 minutes late to your scheduled appointment, please be aware that we will have to reschedule due to the allotted time we have to complete a consultation, it will overlap with the next scheduled appointment. Thank you for understanding,
-Dilation: There is a small chance that you will be dilated during the exam. Dilation drops temporarily affect your depth perception, light sensitivity and near-sighted vision; this effect can last from anywhere between 3-6 hours. As a result, IF you are uncomfortable driving, we recommend that you have a designated driver or make other arrangements for transportation. We also recommend bringing a pair of sunglasses due to potential light sensitivity.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR EXAM
Step 1:
You will arrive at BC LASIK and be greeted by our receptionist, who will ask you to fill out the patient intake forms. These forms asks questions about your health, medications that you may be taking and other useful information that will help us create a more specific profile.
Step 2:
An ophthalmic technician will perform a series of safe and painless diagnostic tests on state-of-the-art equipment not commonly available in standard eye exams. The results of these diagnostic tests will determine your candidacy for Laser vision correction.
Step 3:
We will explain the procedure, risks and benefits of Laser vision correction or other alternatives, if any, and the particular conditions that might affect your decision to undergo the procedure.
Step 4:
We will cover the cost of the procedures and all financial options available to you. We will also provide you with the upcoming surgical dates should you plan on proceeding with the treatment.
A list of acceptable payment methods: Cash, Debit, Mastercard, Visa, AMEX, Cheque and financing. No personal checks.
BC LASIK’s dedicated staff is here to help you through the decision-making process. We are here to answer any questions you may have about the best care for your eyes.
PREPARING FOR YOUR SURGERY DAY
Before arriving at your LASIK procedure, please be sure to read the following:
- Please remain out of your contacts for the length of time provided by the technician at your pre-LASIK exam.
- There are no restrictions on eating, drinking or medications on the day of your procedure. Instead, you are encouraged to eat before your procedure. However, please notify us of any medication you are taking.
- All traces of make-up should be removed. We ask that you abstain from wearing perfume, cologne or after-shave as it can interfere with the laser.
- Please arrange for transportation. You should allow approximately two to four hours for the entire process.
DURING SURGERY DAY
You can expect to feel nervous, anxious or excited before your procedure.
That is an entirely natural, normal response. Please think you are in good hands
Step 1:
You will begin by meeting with our ophthalmic technician to complete a few more scans of the eyes as per the surgeons request.
Step 2:
You will then meet with our surgical counsellor, who will provide you with a prescription for your medicated eye drops and post-operative care kit with instructions on the aftercare. They will answer any final questions you may have before you see our Ophthalmologist.
Step 3:
You will have a chance to meet with our surgeon to address any final questions before he performs the final eye exam on your eyes.
Step 4:
You will then be offered a mild sedative to help you relax during the procedure if requested. You are brought to the surgical suite by our surgical assistant, who will prepare you for your procedure by laying you on the surgical bed where eye drops are then used to numb your eyes.
Step 5:
The procedure itself takes between 5-10 minutes per eye, during which the laser only needs to perform for seconds based on your treatment. The procedure is painless, you will hear a clicking noise of the operating laser and you will feel a large amount of pressure on the eyes.
- Your surgeon will gently open your lids using a speculum to keep them open during the surgery and ask you to focus on a green blinking light
- The surgeon will remove the surface layers of the cornea with a solution.
- An excimer laser beam carefully removes tissue to reshape the cornea, usually lasting less than a minute.
- When the cornea has achieved its optimal shape, a bandage contact lens will be placed on the surface of the cornea and stay on for the next 5-7 days of your recovery.
- You will not feel anything during the procedure other than a little pressure. PRK and LASIK are performed on each eye separately, and each eye takes only about five minutes.
- More eye drops are added to aid with healing and comfort.
- The speculum is released, and you will be asked to sit up and relax for a few minutes.
And that is it! These steps will be repeated for both eyes. The entire process in the laser suite should take less than 15 minutes.
Step 6:
You will discharged from our clinic immediately after surgery to go retrieve your medicated eyes drops from the pharmacy and then home. Most patients can resume activities the very next day.
Your medicated drops are used for 1 week, your lubricating drops are used for 6 months minimum.
RECOVERING FROM YOUR PRK EYE SURGERY
The recovery differentiates between patients. Some patients will see clearly the next morning when they wake up; some patients might have a blurry vision for a couple of days.
You are likely to experience some degree of discomfort for up to 24 hours after your procedure. Your vision may be blurry and/or may fluctuate between seeing clear and blurry during the time of recovery (can last up to a month or two). These conditions affect patients differently. The final outcomes of PRK and LASIK are very similar; the main difference is the healing time.
Activity Schedule for PRK patients:
Avoid alcohol consumption and smoking marijuana the day before and the day after your procedure*
Immediately after the procedure:
- The day of the procedure should be a day of rest.
- Always avoid rubbing eyes – instead, use lubricating drops for irritation.
- Avoid staring without lubricating the eyes.
- Avoid watching TV or reading.
- Avoid showering (you may take a bath but avoid getting soap or water in the eyes; showering or bathing before surgery is fine).
- Avoid alcohol consumption.
- Do not drive (even if only one eye has been treated)
- For the first few days after surgery, it is essential that you wear your sunglasses at all times, both indoors and outdoors. To prevent eye-rubbing during the night, we provide you with clear eye shields to wear during your sleep for the first week of recovery.
- To prevent eye-rubbing during the night, we provide you with clear eye shields to wear during your sleep for the first week of recovery.
24 hours: For the first 24 hours after your PRK procedure: Restrict your movement and activity level as much as possible. You can do the following:
- Shower (continue to avoid getting any soap or water in the eyes).
- Wash your face (use a warm damp towel and gently wipe in a downwards motion).
1 week: Additional activities that can begin after one week with eye protection, but proceed with caution:
- Phone usage, work on the computer or watch TV but keep eyes well-lubricated (every 30 minutes if not every hour)
- Drive short distances if we confirm that you have adequate vision and you feel comfortable yourself.
- Facial makeup and eye makeup (careful with removal, using oil based makeup remover)
- Fly in an airplane but keep eyes well-lubricated (every 30 minutes).
- Lift objects of moderate weight (under 50lbs).
- Light exercise, such as using a treadmill, stairmaster or stationary bike.
- Work on the computer or watch TV but keep eyes well-lubricated (every 30 minutes)
- Lift weights heavier than 50 lbs.
- Sauna or steam room with eye protection.
- Swimming with eye protection.
1 month: 1 month after surgery you can do the following without eye protection, but proceed with caution:
- All water activities and sports.
- Motorcycling, bicycling, snowmobiling etc.
- Skiing and snowboarding.
- Horseback riding.
- All outdoor activities.
- Facial muscle relaxants around the eyes and forehead (fillers/botox).
- Dying/Waxing hair & eyebrows
- Eyelash extensions, Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), facial muscle relaxants around the eyes and forehead (fillers/botox)
Always use eye protection when dangers of flying particulates may exist, i.e. dusty work environments and yard work. Sunglasses to be worn outdoors when sunny at all times post-operatively to protect the eyes from UV rays