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Laser Vision Correction

Serving Longmont, Lafayette and the Northern Colorado region

Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)

PRK is a surface treatment option that may be the preferred vision correction for patients with thin corneas or other corneal irregularities. It's also recommended for those who live an active lifestyle, prefer the idea of flapless laser vision correction, or have a particularly demanding profession like a policeman or firefighter. The reason is because PRK corrects visual errors without creating a flap as seen in LASIK, lessening the risk of complications for certain individuals. The FDA has approved the procedure as safe and effective and is recommended for people suffering from near and farsightedness.

PRK is performed with an excimer laser (same laser used for LASIK) that uses a cool, ultraviolet light beam to precisely remove tiny pieces of tissue from the surface of the cornea in order to reshape it. By reshaping the cornea, light is properly focused into the eye and onto the retina, providing clearer vision than before. Patients also have the option to choose Custom PRK, an advanced technology that allows the surgeon to fully customize the PRK procedure to the individual eye.

During the procedure, your eyes will be anesthetized with special drops. The surgeon will use a computer-guided laser to reshape the surface of your cornea to reach your desired prescription. A target light is also used to make sure your eye remains in the correct position while the laser carefully removes tissue. The entire laser vision correction procedure lasts only a few minutes.

PRK is an effective procedure, with up to 95% of treated patients not needing distance glasses to achieve 20/40 vision or better. Approximately 75% of patients achieve 20/20 vision. Some patient discomfort is normal. However, visual recovery for PRK has improved significantly over the last few years with medications like Neurontin, Lortab, and Restasis. Also, some studies believe the procedure allows for increased contrast sensitivity, less dry eye, and better custom treatment results versus LASIK. PRK patients can usually return to work in one to three days.

At the Laser Refractive Surgery Center, we are proud to be one of the few centers in the state to offer Custom LASIK to Northern Colorado residents including Longmont, Lafayette, Boulder, Denver, Fort Collins, and Greeley.

Email or call us today at 303-682-3396 for a free vision correction consultation.