Nearsightedness, Farsightedness & Astigmatism

Laser Vision Correction

PRK

LASIK

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Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)

PRK utilizes an ultraviolet laser beam to resulpt the corneal surface. The cold laser beam does not damage the surrounding tissue. It is totally under computer control with accuracy up to 0.25 microns. In the United Sates, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved treatment of up to 12 diopters of near sightedness, 4 diopters of astigmatism, and 6 dipoters of far sightedness. Since there are no incisions onto the cornea, this procedure does not weaken the structural integrity of the eye.

PRK Potential Side Effects

• Light sensitivity < 3%
• Halos < 3.9%
• Significant corneal haze < 1%
• Under correction < 1%
• Worse vision < 1 - 3 %

Advantages of PRK

• Accurate for -1.0 to -12.0 D myopia
• Able to treat 4.0 D astigmatism
• In the range of -1.0 to -6.0 D, chance of 20/40 or better after surgery is 95%, chance of 20/25 or better after surgery is 80%
• No change in eye integrity
• No hyperopic shift