PRK is a trusted laser vision correction that has been around for decades with excellent results. If you wear glasses and contacts, you are renting your vision. Own your vision with permanent vision correction with PRK in Minneapolis.
Join the thousands of Twin Cities patients who have experienced visual freedom with PRK from refractive surgeon Dr. Ralph Chu.
MATT • PRK PATIENT & JIU JITSU MASTER
I was going to get LASIK and then I met Dr. Chu. He asked me about my lifestyle and sat down and really listened to me. Based on that conversation, he recommended PRK.
I now have 20/20 vision and am thrilled with my results.
Helps patient achieve crisp, clear vision
LASIK alternative for individuals who have thin corneas and more
Safe and effective
Freedom from contacts and glasses
Quick, painless procedure
Investing in your vision is smart
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) was the first groundbreaking approach to laser refractive surgery and has granted 20/20 eyesight to millions of men and women across the globe without their having to wear glasses or contact lenses. PRK was performed safely and dependably for around ten years before the development of LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) laser vision correction. Ophthalmologists still perform PRK procedures all the time, primarily for people without the amount of corneal tissue needed (thin corneas) to have a successful LASIK surgery.
PRK and other laser eye surgery methods are all done to correct or improve refractive errors and vision problems, such as myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness), though PRK surgery is performed a bit differently and requires a longer healing time. The good news is that photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) surgery provides outcomes that equal or even outdo those of other types of laser vision correction surgery. Contact our team at Chu Vision Institute in Minneapolis for a thorough assessment if you or your ophthalmologist think you may be a good candidate for PRK.
In most cases, PRK laser eye surgery is reserved for people with a refractive error who would like to get laser vision surgery but don’t have sufficient corneal tissue for LASIK. PRK could also be a more suitable surgery for patients with certain eye conditions or for those who have a higher chance of eye injury as a result of a very active lifestyle, hazardous working environments, or taking part in aggressive sports. Laser eye surgery candidates need to be at least 18 years old to make sure their eyes are completely matured, and they must have had a stable corrective lenses prescription for one year. To be able to establish whether PRK is an ideal solution for every patient, your expert eye surgeon will conduct a thorough eye assessment and consider any recent or existing medical issues.
PRK treatments are often completed in about 20 minutes. In most cases, Dr. Chu may suggest treating the eyes two weeks apart due to the long healing time. To begin, a team member will completely anesthetize the eye with no-sting eye drops to ensure a painless experience. Next, a speculum device (eyelid holder) will be situated around the eye to prevent it from blinking.
A PRK procedure mirrors LASIK surgery in the initial steps. The main difference between PRK refractive surgery and LASIK eye surgery is that no corneal flap is required. Rather, the epithelium of the eye is totally taken off (using an alcohol solution) and disposed of so the surgeon can re-contour the underlying cornea. Following the photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) surgery, patients are given a specialized bandage contact lens to safeguard the eye as the epithelial tissue regenerates. The epithelial tissue generally regenerates in 1 – 2 weeks.
After PRK, patients will need to return to our office in the Twin Cities for 2 – 3 follow-ups. The first follow-up will be the day following your photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), the second will be about a week after, and the third about two months post-surgery. These appointments are crucial when it comes to keeping an eye on each patient’s healing process, looking for any unanticipated reactions, and dealing with any possible discomfort.
In comparison to other laser vision correction techniques, PRK does have a lengthier downtime and a slightly higher degree of discomfort, including light sensitivity, blurry vision, foreign body sensations in the eye, and dry eye symptoms. Many patients need to use a specialized bandage contact for about three weeks. Nonetheless, as soon as the eyes are recovered, the vision improvements will be comparable to those of LASIK. Typically, patients can get back to their jobs and operate a vehicle within a few days, and experience their best vision correction in about 4 – 12 weeks.
Photorefractive keratectomy has allowed patients to achieve great vision for many decades. For individuals who have been disappointed that they weren’t ideal candidates for LASIK, a PRK procedure may be the perfect answer. At Chu Vision Institute, our fantastic team of has proudly delivered great vision to numerous patients in Minneapolis, MN. Call us to schedule an appointment so we can tell you whether PRK is the ideal choice for you to get rid of your glasses and contacts.
LEAHNOR • PRK PATIENT & BRIDE
Getting eye surgery is not something you want to use a coupon on. You want someone who has done these procedures 1000s of times. During my consultation, they did a very comprehensive exam. They took the time to answer all my questions. I got eye surgery before my wedding. I didn’t want to worry about glasses or contacts for my special day. Just go in and get a consultation!
The majority of patients may anticipate experiencing some discomfort or minor pain for up to 3 days after their PRK laser eye surgery. Most of the time, frequent dosages of over-the-counter pain medication may be used to treat this. In some instances, your refractive surgeon may prescribe eye drop pain relievers. While some discomfort may be experienced, on the whole, it is quite tolerable and, most patients agree, well worth the improved vision afterward.
Your PRK continues to provide the same results permanently and does not diminish with time. Your vision correction is permanent after your eyes have stabilized, which often takes three to six months. However, this does not mean that your eyesight won’t change. Age-related reading vision loss called presbyopia is common, and PRK doesn’t stop it. Additionally, more than simply the cornea, other elements of the eye contribute to vision. Your eyesight may alter as a result of changes to the eye’s other structures, such as the early development of a cataract. However, we often discover that eyesight remains great for many years or even decades following PRK. When you get older, it’s possible to undergo an enhancement surgery to restore your superb eyesight without using glasses.
From start to finish, the PRK procedure takes only about 10 to 15 minutes. You should plan to be at the eye center for 2 to 3 hours the day of your photorefractive keratectomy procedure to complete any paperwork before the surgery and allow time for recovery afterward.
The team at Chu Vision Institute will deliver numbing eye drops prior to starting your PRK laser procedure. This not only prevents discomfort, but it also restricts the urge to blink. Additionally, a small device is used to hold the eyelid open so the surgeon may reach the treatment area and prevent the possibility of any blinking. We’ll keep your eyes moisturized so they don’t dry out as your refractive surgeon works.
When the surgery starts, a light appears. Throughout the course of the treatment, patients are asked to fixate on this light. Throughout the whole surgery, your eye doctor keeps a careful check on the eye’s movement. Additionally, a built-in eye tracker follows each little eye movement. The device immediately turns off in the very rare case that a patient looks away, coughs, or sneezes. These factors make the danger of blinking or moving the eye during LASIK or PRK almost nonexistent. Even if you do move, safety precautions are in place to ensure your safety and avoid problems.
Since PRK is seen as an optional or elective procedure, insurance may not cover it. Similar to LASIK, your vision insurance may partly cover some of the preliminary scans or examinations leading up to PRK, but the price of the procedure itself is probably not going to be covered. However, you should still get in touch with your insurance provider to find out what aspects of PRK could be covered.
Yes, you can use your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for the cost of PRK. A PRK procedure is an FSA-or HSA-eligible medical expense. You may utilize a health or flexible spending account provided by your employer to pay for PRK.
People with refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism) who want to attain excellent vision without the need for contact lenses or corrective glasses are the best candidates for PRK. They should be generally in excellent health and over the age of 18. Patients who are interested in LASIK but aren’t ideal candidates because of thin corneas or shape may be better candidates for PRK in certain circumstances. PRK is very similar to LASIK and is a good option for laser vision correction for many people. Call our office to schedule your consultation and see if PRK is right for you.
The majority of our PRK patients have a reasonably fast recovery period and return to work within a few days following surgery. Your eyesight will normally become clear the next day, and over the following weeks, blurry vision becomes progressively clearer. Your eye surgeon will let you know at your follow-up appointment when it is safe for you to return to work.
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Chu Vision Institute
9117 Lyndale Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55420
Office
952-835-1235
Fax
952-835-0534