Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is without doubt one of the early strategies of laser imaginative and prescient correction, which changed radial keratotomy (notches on the cornea). The tactic is nicely studied and utilized in instances the place extra fashionable strategies of laser correction are contraindicated for the affected person. Additionally, PRK surgical procedure for astigmatism is used very often.
The essence of photorefractive keratectomy is to alter the center layers of the cornea utilizing laser radiation. The laser vaporizes the mandatory layers of cells to alter the refractive energy of the cornea. Because of this, an individual beneficial properties the power to see clearly and removes myopia, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Nonetheless, to ensure that the laser to work on the inside layers, it’s essential to take away the highest layer of the cornea – it is a key characteristic of PRK eye surgical procedure.
How the PRK methodology works
Set up of native anesthetic drops
When performing laser correction, there is no such thing as a want for normal anesthesia – particular ophthalmic anesthesia is used, so sufferers don’t really feel any ache. Within the preoperative drip of a drug that can work in about quarter-hour.
Making ready for the operation
The affected person places on a protecting disposable robe and cap, then lies down on the sofa. The PRK surgeon tells concerning the levels of laser correction and the way the affected person ought to behave.
Fixation of the eyelid with a particular dilator
Some sufferers notice that that is essentially the most disagreeable second, however it’s obligatory to be able to exclude reflex blinking. The affected person is instructed to look straight forward at a luminous dot.
Elimination of the superficial layer of the cornea (epithelium)
To ensure that the laser to behave on the center layers of the cornea, its epithelium is first chemically softened after which eliminated mechanically with a particular instrument (spatula).
Laser publicity
A very powerful and accountable stage of imaginative and prescient correction. The time of laser publicity to the attention is just about 30 seconds, however throughout this time the form of the cornea modifications, as a result of which the individual regains the power to see clearly along with his personal eyes.
Completion of the operation
After the laser is accomplished, the attention is washed with a particular anti-inflammatory answer, and a gentle protecting silicone hydrogel lens is utilized to the attention. It’s wanted in order that the attention is extra protected till the top of tissue epithelialization. At first, it is extremely essential to not rub or contact your eyes, in order to not transfer the lens.
Eyes after PRK
In the course of the operation, the affected person doesn’t really feel any ache, as confirmed and dependable drip anesthesia is used.
After the top of the motion of anesthetic drops, the affected person might expertise discomfort and discomfort within the eyes. Since a part of the highest layer of the cornea is totally eliminated throughout photorefractive keratectomy, the attention wants extra time to get well and epithelialize. And till this course of is accomplished, an individual feels the next signs: elevated lacrimation, photophobia, a sense of sand, and slight ache.
Sleep is really useful to cut back these discomforts, and a few sufferers can take a painkiller pill.
However don’t panic, these signs don’t final lengthy – normally, all discomfort disappears by the day of the postoperative examination (3-4 days after laser correction).
Normally, by the identical time, imaginative and prescient is sort of restored. Nonetheless, this will likely take a bit longer, because the rehabilitation itself takes time. Due to this fact, inside 1-3 months, visible acuity can float, and that is completely regular. Generally, after photorefractive keratectomy, the eyes see a bit in a different way, for instance, 1.0 in a single eye, and 0.9 within the different. It is a short-term phenomenon, and after 1-3 months, imaginative and prescient ought to equalize.
It’s essential to attend post-operative appointments with an ophthalmologist in our clinics or within the polyclinic on the place of residence for 7, 30 days, then 6, and 12 months.
Thus, it may be concluded that PRK is a reasonably fashionable and efficient methodology. Earlier than signing up for surgical procedure, you’ll have to endure a whole examination. РRK value may even depend upon the character of your drawback and the expertise of the physician who will carry out the operation. However no matter this, with the assistance of this therapy, it can save you your self from many issues, with out a lot effort.
