PhotoRefractive Keratectomy

Question: How long after PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) eye surgery where you able to see? I had it done. It's been 4 days and i still see pretty blurry. With this procedure I was only able to get one eye @ a time and I can't get my right eye done until I can see fine with the operated one. Help!

Answer: How long does it take before my vision is improved? With LASIK and PRK, you should see some improvement in the first few days after the surgery, with slight improvements over the next couple of weeks. The full effect will be achieved within 4-6 months after surgery. Note that some patients may still need to wear glasses or contact lenses following their procedure

Question: Why is Photorefractive Keratectomy (eye surgery) so expensive? From reading about, it sounds like the procedure only takes about 10 minutes per eye but cost $2500 per eye. Why so much?

Answer: True its a quick procedure but techincally demanding surgery. There are a few fees that the surgeon can break down for you. This probably will include: Surgery center fee Surgeon fee Anesthesia fee Consultation and follow up visits fees You can think of it as cosmetic surgery, probably not covered by insurance and basically means the surgeon can charge whatever fee he wants. In a free market, if he is that good and people want to pay that then thats what the price is.

Question: Will the army pay for photorefractive keratectomy? I'm currently a pfc and I want to put a flight packet in, but my vision is bad. It's correctable to 20/20 but I don't think it meets the 20/50 uncorrectable standard. I read that they're accepting people with PRK or lasik right now, but will the army pay for that???

Answer: yes they will, but the waiting lists are quite long and priority goes to people already in High demand MOSs. I assume you meet all the other requirements for Aviation? 4 year technical Degree, etc and so forth? if so you may stand a SLIGHTLY better shot at them bumping you up the list a little sooner.

Question: Should i get Lasik or Photorefractive Keratectomy surgery?

Answer: when you no longer see Optometrists with glasses that's when it's safe to get cosmetic eye surgery...

Question: I want to get a photorefractive keratectomy (prk)? What are the risks? Is it the best kind of eye surgery?

Answer: i'm assuming that you've already been to your ophthalmologist and that is the procedure that he/she recommends. the risks are the same as any type of vision correction surgery ( possible infection, inflammation, loss of visual acuity) healing time is a little longer than with lasik, because the laser is applied directly to the cornea- so, more itchy, scratchy, burny etc... for a few more days- otherwise it is a viable option if that is what your ophthalmologist recommends as your treatment.

Question: does anyone know anything about photorefractive keratectomy (prk)? i'm ineligible for lasik because my cornea is too thin. afraid the risks involved with prk are too high, so i'm considering not having my vision corrected though i'd really like to stop wearing contacts and glasses.

Answer: It involves removing the very surface layer of the cornea, known as epithelium (usually about 50 microns thick), then lasering the exposed corneal bed. This way, the laser is not vaporizing tissue as deep in the cornea as with LASIK, and the risk of ectasia (a de-stabilization of the cornea caused by lasering too deeply into the cornea) is lowered. the surface epithelial cells are removed with a soft brush. After the laser treatment, as with LASEK, a disposable contact lens is placed on the eye, without replacing the damaged epithelial cells. New epithelium regenerates naturally, over two to three days.

Question: Soooo.....Dan Briere is to undergo minor eye surgery. Do you think...? ...the photorefractive keratectomy will cure him of his "can't-find-the-net-itis" which seems to strike in time for the playoffs? Maybe there's a procedure that'll address Marty Biron's "turn-pucks-to-flubber-itis" that results in less juicy rebounds. Perhaps you can come up with your own medical names for things that go on with players and teams.....

Answer: This is too funny! and exactly what I need on this morning... Mike Riberio- "eunuchoidism" (lacking testicles or because they failed to develop) PJ Axelsson- "Figure Eightititus" (The guy does nothing but LOOKS like he is skating hard) Mike Komisarek- "Lucicosous" (The guy has had too much of this) Jose Theodore- "JimCareyitis" (Look for him in the lost and found bin?) Joe Thornton- "Summer Fever" (Enough said?) Bruins fans- "Walkerphobia" (Seems we are all haqve it now, not just Ward) Avalanche management- "Dementia" (Thinks Tucker is worth employing and that Roy might help!?) Bettman- EGOitis Olli Jokinen- "Heart Arrhythmia" (lacks heart, passion) Charles Wang (owner of Isles)- "depression" Kenny Jonsson- "acne keloidalis" http://svt.se/content/1/c6/18/49/98/kenny_jonsson_synk_290.jpg Ray Emery- "Delusional parasitosis" (who does he think he really is?) Zdeno Chara- "Gigantism"

Question: im getting lasik done in a day and a half. has anyone gotten it done before? im actually getting PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) its safer than lasik. they dont cut your eye. they say that the discomfort will last a little longer than lasik and i won't see as clearly right after the procedure. Have you gotten it done before, or know of someone. tell me your experiences and try and help me get over my nervousness, please. Oh, and how much did you, or someone else pay to get the surgery done? I have bad astigmatism so mine was more than the original price plus i got the lifetime of enhancements and the punctual plugs for the eyedrops all included in $1499 an eye. That's with the custom advanced procedure too, not the traditional lasik. so i figure it's a good price. well please let me know. i appreciate it. -liss-

Answer: my friend got it done and he said he had no problems and it wasn't nearly as bad as he thought it was going to be.

Question: Why are candidates who have had PRK surgery eligible for more than those who have had LASIK? "In the USA candidates who have had PRK can get a blanket waiver for the Special Forces Qualification, Combat Diving Qualification and Military Free Fall courses. PRK and LASIK are both waived for Airborne, Air Assault and Ranger schools. However, those who have had LASIK must enroll in an observational study, if a slot is available, to undergo training in Special Forces qualification. LASIK is disqualifying/non-waiverable for several United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) schools (HALO, SCUBA, SERE). Army Regulation 40-501" Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photorefractive_keratectomy

Answer: There is a huge difference in the way the surgery's are done. In PRK, the laser, removes material from the surface of the cornea, flattening it out, to produce better vision. The cornea is not removed. In Lasik, they cut a circular flap in the cornea, fold the flap back, then remove material from the cornea, and refold the flap back over the removed material. Lasik surgery sees results quicker ( IE: immediately and it causes less pain) , But it also weakens the cornea more, especially the flap that was cut. PRK surgery, can take weeks or months before vision stabilizes, as the surface of your cornea heals, but since there was no flap cut, it is more stable. Your cornea remains solid. 2. The services are constantly updating the regulations on both, due to new studies that have been done. IE: the Air Force just finished a study and the navy is currently in the middle of a study. 3. But it comes down to the military think PRK leaves the eye in better shape with more structural integrity than Lasik surgery does, due to the flap cut during lasik surgery.

Question: Can I have PRK eye surgery at 17?????? I have had glasses for 9 years give or take 1 or 2 years (I don't remember how old I was when I got them.). I am 16 and my prescription has been stable for a year so far. When I turn 17 it will have been stable for 2 years. Will I be able to have PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) when I am 17? I can't do LASIK because I want to join the US Army and LASIK can be undone by physical strain (the flap on your eye comes off) but PRK there is no flap so it can't come undone.

Answer: It is unlikely that you'll find a good surgeon to do corrective eye surgery at your age. You need to be in your twenties to make sure you and your eyes are done growing and changing. Since you're only 16, you' re still in the puberty age, which is when a person's age will get worse.

Question: What makes you a candidate for PRK (Photorefractive keratectomy) eye surgery? I need to know if it is near or farsighted and any other vision problems that can be fixed ex scars etc. sources would be appreciated. Thanks.

Answer: This is typically recommended for adults and your prescription needs to be stable for a year. I recently read the following article. Thought you might find it interesting. http://hubpages.com/_guest270/hub/prk-su… Hope the info helps... John

Question: What are some of the Cons of getting Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) eye surgery?

Answer: CONS: Longer healing time. Less predictable/accurate results as the healing surface is exposed to the environment.