REFRACTIVE SURGERY: PRK & LASIK EYE SURGERY IN RALEIGH, NC

Ready to reduce or eliminate your dependence on contacts or glasses? Even if you have a high degree of nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, large pupils or thin corneas, Raleigh Eye Center’s refractive surgery, such as LASIK and PRK, can quickly improve your vision without the help of eyewear.

Our eye care center leads the Triangle area with refractive surgeries, and our ophthalmologists have performed thousands LASIK eye surgeries in Raleigh, NC. We stay up to date by using the latest LASIK and PRK technologies and tools available on the market today. Learn more about LASIK and PRK by scheduling a consultation with one of our eye doctors!

WHAT IS REFRACTIVE SURGERY?

Refractive surgery is used to correct refractive errors in eyes. A refractive error is an error in the focusing of light by the eye and commonly causes blurred or distorted vision. There are several types of refractive errors, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia.

WHAT IS LASIK?

LASIK, an acronym for laser in-situ keratomileusis, reshapes the cornea using a laser to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. LASIK is a quick, hassle-free way to improve your vision. In fact, millions of people have found freedom from eyeglasses and contacts, thanks to LASIK eye surgery.

Our Raleigh LASIK is a combination of two proven procedures, using either the microkeratome or femtosecond (bladeless) laser to create a thin corneal flap followed by the Excimer laser to reshape the cornea, correcting vision. The procedure itself takes minutes and visual improvement is often noticed immediately.

WHAT IS PRK?

Did you know that LASIK evolved from photorefractive keratectomy, or PRK? Invented in the 1980s and approved by the FDA in 1995, PRK was the first FDA-approved procedure performed using an excimer laser to reshape the surface of the cornea.

WHY CHOOSE PRK OVER LASIK?

Not everyone is a candidate for LASIK, often due to thin, scarred or irregular shaped corneas. Patients found to be non-candidates for LASIK are often deemed candidates for PRK to correct their nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRK & LASIK?

PRK differs from LASIK in that no corneal flap is created with a microkeratome or femtosecond laser prior to the corneal reshaping. Our Raleigh PRK is performed by first removing the thin outer layer of the cornea (the epithelium). The epithelium is removed by introducing a sterile solution to the cornea to loosen the tissue.

Next, the excimer laser precisely reshapes the underlying corneal tissue (the stroma). A bandage contact lens is placed on the cornea for three to seven days to protect the eye, and reduce discomfort until the cornea has healed and new epithelial cells have grown back. Patients typically experience discomfort for the first five to seven days and will often have visual fluctuation for several weeks or more.

Long-term visual outcomes with PRK are similar to LASIK. However, since there is no corneal flap in PRK, it may be better suited for people with thinner corneas or who engage in high-impact activities or sports where a corneal flap is contraindicated.

LET REFRACTIVE SURGERY CHANGE YOUR LIFE

Are you candidate for LASIK or PRK? Schedule a consultation for refractive surgery in Raleigh and discover the options available to you. Contact us today.

Raleigh Eye Center offers LASIK and refractive surgery in Raleigh, NC and surrounding areas, including Durham, Cary, Apex, Wake Forest, Chapel Hill, Fuquay-Varina and Garner, NC.