PRK

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) for farsightedness use a laser to reshape the cornea so that light is refocused on the retina. The laser reshapes the cornea accurately without damaging nearby tissues. No surgical cut is needed. Either procedure may be used to correct farsightedness and astigmatism at the same time.

These procedures can be done on an outpatient basis in a surgeon's office or same-day surgery center.

With PRK, surface skin cells of the cornea are removed, and a laser is used to reshape the cornea. The whole procedure, including preparation and surgery, takes about 20 minutes.

With LASEK, the surface layer of the cornea is loosened and pushed to the side. After the laser reshapes the cornea, the surface layer is placed back over the cornea.

PRK and LASEK are sometimes called surface ablation.

PRK and LASEK are procedures done to correct farsightedness in otherwise healthy eyes.

They may not be a good choice for people who have more severe farsightedness (high hyperopia). That's because the results are harder to predict and complications are more likely.

These procedures may not be done while you are pregnant. Pregnancy may interfere with the healing of the cornea.

PRK and LASEK work well to reduce mild to moderate farsightedness. But experts don't know how long the effects will last. In the short term, PRK has proved effective in correcting mild to moderate hyperopia.

Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.

Preparing for surgery

• Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.
• Understand exactly what surgery is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
• If you take a medicine that prevents blood clots, your doctor may tell you to stop taking it before your surgery. Or your doctor may tell you to keep taking it. (These medicines include aspirin and other blood thinners.) Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do.
• Tell your doctor ALL the medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your surgery. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the surgery and how soon to do it.
• Make sure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance directive. If you don’t have one, you may want to prepare one. It lets others know your health care wishes. It’s a good thing to have before any type of surgery or procedure.

Activity

• Ask your doctor when it is okay to drive.
• Your doctor may advise you to sleep when you get home from surgery. Keeping your eye closed may help your eye heal.
• You can shower or wash your hair the day after surgery. Keep water, soap, shampoo, hair spray, and shaving lotion out of your eye, especially for the first week.
• Do not rub or put pressure on your eye for at least 1 week.
• Ask your doctor when you can wear eye makeup again and get your hair colored.
• Follow your doctor's instructions for when you can exercise and return to contact sports such as boxing or football. You may need to wear eye protection when you return to contact sports.
• For 1 to 2 weeks, avoid swimming, hot tubs, gardening, and dusting.
• Wear sunglasses on bright days for at least 1 year after surgery and avoid too much sun exposure.

Medicines

• Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. The doctor will also give you instructions about taking any new medicines.
• If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.
• Follow your doctor's instructions for when to use eyedrops. Always wash your hands before you put your drops in. To put in eyedrops:
  • Tilt your head back, and pull your lower eyelid down with one finger.
  • Drop or squirt the medicine inside the lower lid.
  • Close your eye for 30 to 60 seconds to let the drops or ointment move around.
  • Do not touch the ointment or dropper tip to your eyelashes or any other surface.
• Follow your doctor's instructions for taking pain medicines.