Photorefractive Keratectomy

Aka: Photorefractive Keratectomy, Radial Keratotomy

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II. Indications

  1. Refractive Surgery to Correct Refractive Error
  2. Replaced by LASIK as the procedure of choice in U.S.

III. Procedure: Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)

  1. Efficacy: Similar outcomes as with LASIK
  2. Technique
    1. No Corneal incision made (unlike LASIK)
    2. Laser ablates Corneal Epithelium and stroma
    3. Corneal re-epithelialization occurs after surgery
  3. Disadvantages compared with LASIK
    1. Increased postoperative pain
    2. Delayed Vision recovery
    3. Repeat corrective surgery more difficult
    4. Central visual haziness
    5. Each eye corrected on separate days, 4-6 weeks apart

IV. Technique: Radial Keratotomy (RK)

  1. Diamond scalpel deeply incises peripheral Cornea
  2. Peripheral Cornea weakens and bulges out
  3. Central Cornea flattens
  4. Replaced by PRK and LASIK

V. References

  1. Hersh (1998) Ophthalmology 105:1512 [PubMed]
  2. Waring (1994) Arch Ophthalmol 112:1298 [PubMed]
  3. (1999) Med Lett Drugs Ther 41(1068):121-3 [PubMed]

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