What You can expect from the Cataract Surgery

The PRK (Refractive Photokeratectomy) is a technique performed using the Excimer laser. It was the first laser technique used in 1987 in the United States and 1993 in France to correct myopia. Today, it is still used in some cases.

What PRK is all about?

PRK consists in reshaping the cornea by applying the laser directly to the surface of the eye after having previously removed the superficial layer of the cornea (epithelium).

The operation is performed under topical anesthesia that is to say with simple drops of eye drops instilled a few seconds before the operation which will make the eye insensitive. It is therefore painless for the patient during the operation. Its duration is short (a few minutes).

The epithelium is first removed by scraping using a mechanical brush or using a controlled 30 ° alcohol solution. This then gives access to the Bowman membrane to which the Excimer laser will be applied with great precision. Each laser impact removes a 1/4 of a micron of corneal tissue over a diameter of 0.95 millimeters. The number of impacts is calculated by computer and varies according to the importance of the defect or defects to be corrected.

To correct myopia, the center of the cornea will be sculpted on a surface of 5 to 7 millimeters (optical zone). The cornea, which has become less bulging, allows light rays to focus precisely on the retina. Myopia is thus corrected.

PRK is effective in correcting low or medium myopia from -1 to -5 diopters, hyperopia from +1 to +3 diopters and astigmatism up to 3 diopters.

Last words:

The advantage of the surface excimer laser remains the lack of realization of the corneal flap. The PRKCataract Surgery technique at kraff eye remains a solution if the cornea is too thin to be treated by LASIK or 100% laser LASIK or for professional aptitude needs or for sports or professions with potential contact with the eye. The postoperative period is longer than for LASIK, healing requires 3 to 7 days, visual recovery about a week, thus delaying the return to work.

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