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Photorefractive KeratectomyAka: Radial Keratotomy

Indications
1. Refractive Surgery to Correct Refractive Error
2. Replaced by LASIK as the procedure of choice in U.S.
Procedure: Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
1. Efficacy: Similar outcomes as with LASIK
2. Technique
  1. No Corneal incision made (unlike LASIK)
  2. Laser ablates Corneal Epithelium and stroma
  3. Corneal re-epithelialization occurs after surgery
3. Disadvantages compared with LASIK
  1. Increased postoperative pain
  2. Delayed vision recovery
  3. Repeat corrective surgery more difficult
  4. Central visual haziness
  5. Each eye corrected on separate days, 4-6 weeks apart
Technique: Radial Keratotomy (RK)
1. Diamond scalpel deeply incises peripheral Cornea
2. Peripheral Cornea weakens and bulges out
3. Central Cornea flattens
4. Replaced by PRK and LASIK
References

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This page was written by Scott Moses, MD. This page was last revised before 5/10/08, prior to consistent tracking of revision date. This page was last published on 5/10/2008. Please send comments and questions to the editor. Contact information may be found on the page About the Family Practice Notebook. These pages are best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0.