The refractive surgeons at Armadale Eye Clinic perform PRK eye surgery (THROUGH EYE LASER SPECIALISTS) for the Melbourne community with expert skill and care.
PRK eye surgery in Melbourne is a popular refractive technique and is often appropriate in situations where a patient may be ineligible for other refractive surgery methods.
Short for photorefractive keratectomy, PRK laser eye surgery in Melbourne was first performed in the 1990s. Since then, it has continued to be a valuable technique for laser vision correction even with the development of newer procedures such as LASIK and SMILE®. Patients undergoing PRK are able to achieve clear unaided vision without the inconvenience of glasses and contact lenses.
The Process of PRK Eye Surgery
Melbourne is fortunate to have experienced eye surgeons well capable of performing PRK laser eye surgery. In Melbourne, Armadale Eye Clinic is pleased to be able to provide this service (through Eye Laser Specialists) to a high standard of care and precision, with a team of expertly trained clinicians to ensure optimal results for your vision.
Your first visit to our rooms will involve a comprehensive examination to accurately determine your suitability for this specific procedure. Eligibility criteria take into account several factors, including:
Your corneal thickness
As PRK requires removal of corneal tissue, adequate corneal thickness must first be established.
Your prescription
The prescription parameters of PRK suitability are similar to those of LASIK: nearsightedness of -1.00 to -10.00 dioptres, longsightedness of up to +4.00 dioptres, and astigmatism of up to -4.00 dioptres.
Other pre-existing eye conditions
Your eye exam will confirm the presence of any eye diseases that may limit the final visual outcome or increase your risk of complications from the PRK procedure.
Clients who are found to be unsuitable for the PRK treatment may be counselled to other more appropriate procedures, such as SMILE® or ICL. The team at Armadale Eye Clinic (through Eye Laser Specialists) are committed to ensuring you feel comfortable and well-informed throughout the whole process of your laser vision correction treatment.
Once you have been established as a suitable candidate for PRK surgery, you will be scheduled an appointment in the operating theatre in our state-of-the-art facilities. PRK surgery in Melbourne is conducted without general anaesthesia, though a light sedative can be offered to patients feeling particularly anxious or restless. Your eye will be numbed with topical eye drops for comfort, and you will be asked to fixate on a target light to keep your eye steady during the laser treatment.
The superficial epithelial layer of cells of the cornea are then gently removed in a process called debridement. This allows access for our high precision excimer laser to perform photoablation, the removal of selected areas of the underlying corneal tissue; the reshaping of this surface directs incoming light to focus on a sharp point at the back of the eye to provide clear vision.
Once the photoablation treatment is complete, a soft bandage contact lens will be placed over the cornea for comfort and protection while the epithelial cells regenerate. You will be given post-operative eye drop medications and scheduled several review appointments with our clinical team to ensure your eyes are healing as expected.
The benefits of PRK surgery include:
Flapless
While the LASIK procedure requires the creation of a corneal flap, the flapless technique of PRK eliminates all flap-related complications.
Thinner corneas
Without needing to create a corneal flap, PRK becomes more suitable for patients with thinner corneal thicknesses that may exclude them from other techniques.
Dry eye
There is minimal disruption of corneal nerves responsible for stimulation of tear production, making PRK a good option for those with pre-existing dry eye.
Patients and concerned family members are invited to come under the care of our experienced retinal doctors at Armadale Eye Clinic. Organise your appointment today by calling or booking online.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.