PRK / LASEK

Yaklaşık Kalış Süresi
Hastanede Kalış
Operasyon Süresi
Yaklaşık İyileşme Süresi
Anestezi

PRK / LASEK

• Purpose of the Treatment
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) and LASEK (Laser-Assisted Subepithelial Keratectomy) are types of surface laser eye surgery used to correct refractive vision problems such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. They are excellent alternatives to LASIK for patients with thin corneas or other conditions that make flap-based procedures less suitable. These treatments reshape the cornea to improve how light is focused onto the retina, reducing or eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses.

• Pre-Treatment Consultation
A full eye examination is conducted to determine candidacy for PRK or LASEK. The consultation includes:

  • Corneal thickness measurement

  • Mapping of the eye’s surface curvature (topography)

  • Wavefront analysis (if a custom procedure is planned)

  • Evaluation of tear film and overall eye health
    Your ophthalmologist will decide which technique—PRK or LASEK—is better for you based on these findings.

• Before and After the Treatment
PRK and LASEK procedures are short, typically lasting 10–15 minutes per eye. The main difference from LASIK is that no flap is created. Instead:

  • In PRK, the outer layer of the cornea (epithelium) is removed entirely.

  • In LASEK, the epithelium is loosened with an alcohol solution and gently moved aside, then repositioned after the laser treatment.

Recovery time is longer than LASIK. It can take 3–5 days for the epithelium to heal, during which patients may experience discomfort, tearing, and light sensitivity. Vision gradually improves over 1–2 weeks, with final results stabilizing in 1–3 months.

• Who Can Benefit from PRK / LASEK?
These treatments are ideal for:

  • Patients with thin corneas or irregular corneal shapes

  • People involved in contact sports or high-risk physical activities (where corneal flap dislocation from LASIK could be a concern)

  • Those who are not suitable candidates for LASIK due to certain corneal or lifestyle factors

PRK and LASEK are often recommended when maximum corneal preservation is needed.

• How is the Treatment Performed?
Both PRK and LASEK involve:

  • Removal or loosening of the epithelium

  • Use of an excimer laser to reshape the corneal surface underneath

  • Application of a protective contact lens to aid healing
    No blade or femtosecond laser is used. The main distinction lies in how the epithelium is handled (removed in PRK, preserved in LASEK).

• Treatment Options for PRK / LASEK
Both are variations of surface ablation techniques, and your surgeon will choose between them based on your individual eye anatomy and lifestyle. Additional customization may include:

  • Wavefront-guided PRK/LASEK: Tailored to reduce higher-order visual aberrations

  • Topography-guided PRK: Focused on corneal surface irregularities