What Makes Someone a Good Candidate for PRK?

For the millions of people who rely on glasses or contact lenses to see clearly, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is an extremely appealing treatment option. The outpatient laser vision correction procedure permanently corrects refractive errors that cause nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, thereby reducing or eliminating dependence on visual aids. Imagine the peace of mind that could come from having crystal clear vision without glasses or contacts!

Read on as the team at InVision Eye Care discusses what makes someone a good candidate for PRK.

Stable Vision

Stable vision is an important requirement for laser vision correction. Operating on an eye when its prescription is changing could compromise the outcome. Most eye surgeons require a stable prescription for six months to a year before PRK.

Over the Age of 21

Contact lens and eyeglass prescriptions tend to fluctuate more during childhood and the teenage years. By the age of 21, a prescription is more likely to stabilize.

There is no upper age limit for PRK.

Healthy

Suitable candidates for PRK are in good general health and have healthy eyes. Eye conditions such as chronic dry eye syndrome, glaucoma or keratoconus can affect a person’s candidacy for LASIK. Medical conditions such as type 1 diabetes, Sjogren’s syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis, or any other medical condition that interferes with the body’s ability to heal from a surgical procedure, can also preclude a candidate from safely undergoing PRK.

Not Pregnant or Nursing

Hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and nursing can change the shape of the cornea and cause temporary changes in vision.

Is Corneal Thickness a Criterion for PRK Candidacy?

PRK is similar to laser vision correction with LASIK, albeit with some key differences. LASIK requires the creation of a corneal flap prior to reshaping the tissue, so candidates must have sufficient corneal thickness in order to withstand the creation of the flap.

Unlike LASIK, PRK does not involve making a corneal flap. Candidates for PRK do not need to meet any requirements regarding corneal thickness. For this reason, PRK is very popular among laser eye surgery candidates with corneas that are too thin for LASIK.