Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), also known as Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA), is a laser eye surgery that improves vision by reshaping the cornea. When performed by expert surgeons, PRK is a safe and effective alternative to LASIK. Are you a candidate for PRK in Kansas City? Book your free laser vision correction consult at a Discover Vision Centers clinic today.
PRK was approved by the FDA in 1995 as a vision correction procedure to help patients see clearly without the use of contacts or glasses.
As a LASIK alternative, PRK can help patients who struggle with nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. Whereas LASIK involves the creation of a flap on the surface of the cornea, PRK involves advanced surface ablation (ASA) which has two steps. The first is to remove the skin surface, epithelium, followed by the excimer laser reshaping the underlying surface. After these steps a bandage contact lens is placed for 1 week.
Once the patient is completely healed, the results of LASIK and PRK are effectively the same.
PRK is used to treat several refractive conditions of the eye including nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Monovision or one eye for near and one eye for distance can be considered for those over age 40.
Nearsightedness ( myopia ) with PRK requires the laser to make the center of the cornea flatter by removing more tissue in the center of the cornea versus the periphery.
With PRK for farsightedness the laser removes more tissue peripherally than centrally and this steepens the center of the cornea.
With astigmatism the cornea is not round like a tennis ball. It is shaped more like an American football with a short steep surface in one orientation and a long flatter surface in the other orientation. With PRK the laser reshapes the cornea to make the same curve or rounded shape in all orientations.
Advanced surface ablation surgery (ASA), also known as PRK, may be for you if you struggle with nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism and are not a candidate for LASIK because of thinner corneas, previous eye surgery, scarring on the cornea as a result of contact lens wear, or certain lifestyle or occupational factors. A few items that make you a good candidate for surgery are:
At your free vision correction consultation at Discover Vision Centers, you’ll work together with refractive surgery doctors to decide which vision correction surgery is best for you.
Prior to your treatment all of your measurements are validated and checked for accuracy. Most patients will take a mild sedative about 40 minutes prior to their procedure and topical numbing drops will be used just prior to the start of your procedure. A lid guard will be placed so you do not have a full lid closure.
Prior to reshaping the underlying tissue with the laser the surface cells are gently removed.
The excimer laser is then used to reshape the cornea so it brings light perfectly into focus on the retina.
After the laser is completed a bandage contact lens is placed for comfort. It remains in place for 5-7 days and then is removed.
Most patients will be placed on topical medicated drops for four weeks.
As soon as the laser ablation is done, the healing process begins.
PRK eye surgery is a great alternative for those that may not be a SMILE or LASIK candidate.
The visual recovery of PRK is longer than that of SMILE or LASIK, but the ending visual outcome is just as good after the extended healing time. After 5-7 days when the bandage contact lens is removed, the vision should be functional. For example, patients are most often comfortable driving a car, but are not able to make out street signs clearly. Words on a computer may be readable, but have a blurred or ghosted image. Vision should improve gradually out to 4-6 weeks.
Discover Vision Center surgeons have been providing Advanced Surface Ablation / PRK in Kansas City for our patients since it was FDA approved in 1995. Our 6 doctors, two surgeons – Dr. Doane and Dr. Jackson ) and our four specialized refractive surgery optometrists have 140 combined years of experience evaluating and treating patients interested in refractive surgery. Our attention to detail and excellence in patient care are our guiding principles.
The price for Advanced Surface Ablation or PRK in Kansas City at Discover Vision Centers is the same as LASIK and SMILE for the same correction. Our pricing begins at $1,800 per eye and is based on the amount of correction needed.
Discover Vision Centers (DVC) offers a number of financing programs to make the cost of your vision correction easy and affordable. Our See Today, Pay Later financing allows you to do just that – see today, and pay later.
You may also be eligible for a PRK military discount or other deductions through your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA).
Our goal is to provide the best surgical option for each individual person based on their prescription and other lifestyle needs. We do not want price to determine or outweigh what is best for any given situation. To get started, schedule a free consultation, virtual or in-person, to determine if you are a candidate, which procedure is right for you and the cost.
Dr. John F. Doane is a board-certified ophthalmologist who is fellowship trained in refractive surgery. He has trained surgeons in refractive surgery procedures on four continents. He has treated patients from 46 US states and 25 foreign countries that have come to Kansas City for our experience.
Dr. Randy Jackson is a board-certified ophthalmologist who specializes in refractive surgery, including LASIK Laser Vision Correction, Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), Full Focus® Vision Correction and cataract surgery.
Prior to the PRK operation, you will be given relaxing medications and numbing drops to alleviate any pain during or immediately following surgery. During the treatment, you may experience a bit of pressure on the surface of the eye, but most patients report minimal discomfort, if any. After surgery one can experience light sensitivity for up to 5 days. Once the bandage contact is removed most patients are completely comfortable.
On the day of your procedure you will want to plan on spending 1-2 hours with us. During the surgery prep, any more questions you may have will be answered and you will be given an oral sedative to help with relaxation during the surgery. The time of the actual procedure is usually 10-15 minutes and you will need a driver to take you home.
Side effects after PRK are similar to LASIK and SMILE. Most will have some dryness and halos around lights at night. These symptoms will usually resolve over the first 2-3 months after surgery.
In LASIK surgery a flap is made on the corneal surface and the laser removes and reshapes tissue before putting the flap of tissue back in place. PRK does not have an incision. Instead, the skin surface is removed and the laser reshapes the front surface of the cornea. After the laser is complete, the skin layer will heal and recover the surface.
At Discover Vision Centers, the cost of PRK is the same as that of LASIK and SMILE. We are going to give you a recommendation on which surgery best fits your eyes and lifestyle and don’t want a difference in cost to enter into the decision making process.
