Other Refractive Surgery Options

Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)

If you do not qualify for LASIK, you may qualify for PRK. Since OCB's LASIK surgeons are also Cornea specialists, they will evaluate your eyes and choose the best treatment modality for you. Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) is a procedure done on the surface of the eye. The amount of tissue to be removed is determined by the diagnostic tests done at your pre-operative evaluation.

Your doctor decides what data needs to be programmed into the laser and the computer calculates the amount of tissue to be removed. PRK was the first excimer laser treatment developed. It remains the preferred technique in some special situations, particularly in patients who are detected to have loose adhesion of the surface cells, called epithelium, to the underlying cornea or patients with very thin corneas.

PRK patients have more initial discomfort (generally well controlled with numbing eye drops) and slower recovery of vision, for the first 1-2 weeks. PRK offer excellent results for those who are not good candidates for LASIK.

Laser Sub-epithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK)

Laser Sub-epithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK) is identical to PRK except that the outer layer of epithelium is harvested as a flap and then replaced after the laser treatment on the underlying cornea.

Conductive Keratoplasty (CK)

Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) uses radiofrequency energy to gently reshape the cornea. Typically, eight or nine spots are placed in a circular pattern in the peripheral cornea. No laser or cutting is required. Most commonly CK is used for patients over age 45 with good natural distance vision to create monovision in one eye. This reduces the need for reading glasses or bifocals.