Photo Refractive Keratectomy (PRK)/Excimer Laser Surgery in Cincinnati Ohio

The Midwest Eye Center now offers the most effective and technically advanced procedures for photo refractive keratoplasty and excimer laser surgery in Cincinnati, Ohio. PRK was the first procedure performed using the Excimer laser and by using photo refractive keratoplasty it corrects vision by reshaping the cornea. The difference between LASIK and PRK is that with LASIK a corneal flap is created and the laser is applied to the inner tissue of the cornea. With photo refractive keratoplasty the epithelium (or outer skin of the cornea) is removed and a laser is applied to the surface of the cornea. PRK can be used to correct low to high levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

The Midwest Eye Center uses excimer laser eye Surgery in Cincinnati, Ohio to treat nearsightedness, the steep cornea is made flatter by removing tissue from the center of the cornea. This moves the point of focus from in front of the retina to directly on the retina.

The Midwest Eye Center uses excimer laser eye Surgery in Cincinnati, to treat farsightedness, the flat cornea is made steeper by removing tissue outside of the central optical zone of the cornea. This moves the point of focus from behind the retina to directly on the retina.

The Midwest Eye Center uses excimer laser eye Surgery in Cincinnati, to treat astigmatism, the cornea is made more spherical -- like a basketball instead of a football. This eliminates multiple focusing points within the eye and creates one point of focus on the retina. Astigmatism can be treated at the same time as nearsightedness and farsightedness.

PRK is for those who:

• want to reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses or contacts
• are over 18 years of age
• have had a stable eye prescription for at least one year
• have no health issues affecting their eyes
• have corneas too thin for LASIK
• have large pupils

You will arrive at the Midwest Eye Center for your PRK or excimer laser eye surgery in Cincinnati, Ohio about an hour prior to your procedure. Once you have been checked in, you may be offered a sedative to help you relax. You will then be prepared for photo refractive keratoplasty surgery in Cincinnati Ohio and the area around your eyes will be cleaned and a sterile drape may be applied around your eyes. To numb your eyes ,anesthetic eye drops will be used; no injections or needles will be used in this process. When your eyes are totally numb, an eyelid holder will be placed between your eyelids to keep you from blinking during the PRK surgery procedure.

Next, your excimer laser surgery Cincinnati, Ohio doctor will gently remove the epithelium. You may feel a little pressure during the PRK surgery process, but absolutely no pain. As the laser reshapes your cornea, you will then look directly at a target light. The information gathered in your pre-operative exam will be programmed into the Excimer laser. The photo refractive keratoplasty surgery treatment will be completed in less than a minute or two, depending on the amount of correction needed.

Following your PRK procedure, your eye(s) will be examined with a slit lamp microscope. Your eyes may be shielded for protection. Your vision may be blurry or hazy for one to five days. You may experience some discomfort as the epithelium heals and covers the treated area. Eye drops, pain medication and possibly a protective contact lens can be used to minimize this discomfort. Most patients resume normal activities within one to three days following excimer laser surgery in Cincinnati, Ohio. Vision can fluctuate for up to six months.

Realistic expectations:

Only you can make the important decision to have PRK surgery. Our excimer laser surgery Cincinnati Ohio patients enjoy the comfort of being able to perform daily activities without corrective lenses. In fact, the goal of any PRK surgery is to reduce your dependence on corrective lenses. Nearly all Midwest Eye Center patients are overjoyed with their vision after photo refractive keratoplasty surgery in Cincinnati Ohio. However, we cannot guarantee you will experience the results you desire.

Excimer laser surgery in Cincinnati, Ohio has proven to be a safe, highly effective, and permanent procedure. Any surgical procedure presents an inherent risk. Many complications and risks associated with PRK surgery can be reduced or eliminated through careful PRK surgery patient selection and careful pre-operative testing using the latest Excimer laser surgery diagnostic technology.

Some mild visual side effects may be experienced after photo refractive keratoplasty surgery. However, these visual side effects tend to be mild and diminish over time. Dryness, glare and halos are rare side effects that may present a slight chance of never going away completely.

Each PRK surgery patient heals somewhat differently, and some PRK surgery patients may over correct and some may under correct, resulting in “over corrections” and “under corrections”. Within 3 to 6 months the eye will stabilize and, if you have under corrected or over corrected, you and your doctor may discuss whether re-treatment can help fine tune your vision.

Only after a thorough eye exam, will you and your doctor be able to determine if Excimer laser surgery in Cincinnati, Ohio is an option for you. If you prove to be a good PRK surgery candidate, and you wish to have Excimer laser surgery in Cincinnati, Ohio, you will be given additional information about the photo refractice keratoplasty surgery procedure. This will enable you to make an educated decision about whether or not to proceed. It is vitally important to be sure you have all your PRK questions answered to your satisfaction.