What Eye Conditions Can be Improved With PRK Eye Surgery?

At The Eye Center of Southern Indiana, we believe all our patients deserve the sharp, clear vision that can make life easier and more enjoyable. So we understand the dejection felt by individuals who discover that they may not be great candidates for LASIK.

That's no cause for concern, however, because our doctors are happy to provide multiple laser vision correction techniques, including PRK (photorefractive keratectomy). As the predecessor to LASIK, PRK has proven itself safe and effective. It has given countless patients the gift of visual acuity, allowing them to enjoy 20/20 vision — or even better.

So for those with thin corneas, certain lifestyle factors, or other unique ocular needs, PRK may be just the game-changing option they desire. All you have to do to embark on the road to better vision is contact us to learn more about our clinically proven vision correction options in Bloomington, IN.

What eye conditions can be improved with PRK eye surgery?

PRK eye surgery is a laser-based vision correction system that can offer clarity to patients with poor vision. PRK can correct multiple disorders, including refractive conditions such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. It does so by providing a fundamental fix: reshaping the cornea. Since a misshapen eyeball is the root cause of refractive disorders, PRK can resolve this issue and reduce your need for visual aid, such as eyeglasses and contact lenses.

What are the advantages of PRK?

Rather than a "sidekick" to LASIK, PRK is a fantastic vision-clearing option that offers multiple advantages to patients with various visual impairments. The first advantage is that PRK does not require a corneal flap — other eye surgeries necessitate that our doctors cut a small flap on the cornea, the outermost part of the eye, to access the deeper ocular tissues.

Without needing a corneal flap, PRK provides a wonderful alternative treatment choice for patients with insufficient corneal tissue. Plus, this mode of action removes the risk of flap-related complications, which makes PRK a go-to for patients with very active lifestyles or those who face job-related hazards that could lead to eye injuries.

In addition to helping those with thin corneas, PRK may be preferred to LASIK for patients with numerous other ocular issues or concerns. Therefore, it's essential to inform our doctors if you have dry eye syndrome, previous eye injuries or surgeries, a prescription change in the past 12 years, or degenerative eye disorders like cataracts or glaucoma.

Also, PRK is considered very safe and has minimal risks, which is why it's been such an excellent option for the past several decades. In fact, PRK came before its more well-known counterpart, LASIK, and has helped millions of patients see the world clearly and enjoy 20/20 (or even better) vision.

Explore your options for better vision with PRK

At The Eye Center of Southern Indiana, our doctors are proud to offer multiple types of laser refractive correction options to help meet your unique needs and improve your standard of living. So even if you aren't a good candidate for LASIK, we'll be more than happy to formulate a personalized treatment plan based on your specific factors and ocular physiology.

There's no need to live with poor vision, and you can explore your options for a crisper, clearer future by reaching out to us today to schedule a consultation in Bloomington, IN!