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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.
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