PRK Treatment for Myopia

PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) reduces low to high myopia, low to moderate hyperopia and astigmatism.  In PRK, the epithelium, the layer of cells covering the cornea, is removed and the excimer laser sculpts the cornea to correct refractive error.  A bandage contact lens is usually placed on the eye following the procedure to speed the epithelial healing process, which usually takes three to four days.  Because PRK sculpts the outer surface of the cornea, patients experience some discomfort after surgery and recovery time lasts for a period of several weeks.  PRK does not create a flap in the cornea and is often a better option for people who have thin corneas or whose occupation makes it more dangerous to have a flap.  The cost for bilateral PRK is $3,800, which includes a year of post operative visits.