PRK FAQ
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What is PRK?
PRK (photorefractive keratotomy) is a procedure that was developed before LASIK. PRK is the procedure in which the excimer laser reshapes the eye by working directly on the corneal surface. The laser is used to remove the outer corneal surface (the epithelium) and then the laser reshapes the central portion of the cornea. Over the next 2-4 days, the epithelium regrows and covers the defect made by the laser. During this period, there is considerably more pain than with LASIK. The vision also takes atleast 3 to sometime 7 days to recover. The long-term results of PRK are excellent and compare favorably with LASIK in low to medium myopia. However, with higher levels of myopia, there is an increased risk of corneal haze that can lead to loss of vision. It is believed that the risk of developing haze following PRK is related to ultraviolet sun exposure PRK is also effective for patients with myopic astigmatism and hyperopia.