HISTORY OF PRK Laser vision correction is a term used for Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) and Laser In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK). PRK was actually invented first, but LASIK gained more popularity because patients experience less discomfort and obtain good vision more quickly. Although vision improvement with PRK is gradual over a few weeks or months, this procedure is many surgeons’ preferred treatment for patients not suited for LASIK—specifically those with thin corneas. Both nearsighted and farsighted people can benefit from PRK. With nearsightedness, the goal of treatment is to flatten the cornea. With farsightedness, the desire is to create a steeper cornea. PRK can also correct astigmatism by smoothing an irregular shaped cornea into a more normal sphere. When the cornea is reshaped in the right way, it works better to focus light into the eye and provide clear vision. HOW SURGERY WORKS PRK is performed with the same highly sophisticated excimer laser our surgeons use for LASIK. Using a cool beam of ultraviolet light it reshapes the cornea by precisely removing microscopic amounts of tissue. However, unlike LASIK where a thin flap is created and folded back to expose underlying tissue, with PRK the surgeon gently brushes aside a protective layer of surface cells covering the tissue to be treated. Anesthetic drops are placed on the eye so there is very little if any discomfort during the procedure. Once the protective layer of cells is brushed aside from the surface of the cornea, the laser is guided to reshape the underlying tissue in a procedure that usually takes less than a minute. A protective contact lens is then placed over the treated area, which allows the surface cells to regenerate and heal during the next 3 or 4 days. In addition to helping the healing process, the contact lens reduces most of the discomfort associated with recovery. EPI-LASIK Epithelial Laser In Situ Ketatomileusis (Epi-LASIK) is simlilar to PRK. The main difference between the two procedures is how the corneal tissue is removed. During Epi-LASIK, a suction device is placed on the eye to hold it, and an epikeratome (Moria) is used to seperate the corneal tissue. The Excimer laser is then used to do the laser treatment. The surgeon will place a bandage contact lens in place to allow the cells to start to regenerate. HOW DO I KNOW IF I SHOULD HAVE PRK OR EPI-LASIK Patients who have thinner corneas tend to be better candidates for Epi-LASIK. Your surgeon will inform you which procedure would be best for you.