PRK Risks/Side Effects - What to Know
Photorefractive Keratectomy or PRK does involve risks and side effects, much like all other refractive eye and cataract surgeries. Even though there is very little recovery time required, one day, and only about 2 minutes of surgical time and no corneal flap, there are still some side effects. Since there is no incision, infection and inflammation of the eye is almost eliminated completely but still possible.
Side Effects and Risks
Infection is still a small possibility seen in only 0.01% of all patients who have undergone the PRK procedure. Reaction to anesthesia used during the procedure is the most common side effect or risk, as this is the same anesthesia used for all surgeries and there are some patients who do not tolerate it well. Nausea and dizziness are common side effects seen with general anesthesia for all surgeries. Under correction or over correction of vision is seen in about 0.05% of all patients, and is only seen after the healing time is complete. This can be corrected with additional PRK procedures to fix the under or over correction of vision.
Sensitivity to light is common with any eye surgery or procedure, and generally abates within a few days after surgery. However, in 0.04% of all patients it continued for longer and had to be treated with eye drops. Glare and halos around lights as well as diminished sight in fog or night driving is commonly seen for a few days after surgery. However, it has been a permanent issue for 0.07% of patients. It can be treated with laser treatments and eye drops. Corneal haze has only been seen in a total of 0.01% of all patients, and is generally caused by improper healing of the cornea. The loss of the corrected vision has also been seen. This is seen in 0.05% of patients, where they may not be able to see some objects as clearly as they did prior to surgery. A total of 5% of all patients who undergo PRK surgery will still need to wear some type of corrective lenses after surgery; even the use of reading glasses has been seen.
If you have any questions about PRK, cataract surgeries, or other procedures, please contact a laser eye surgeon today.