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PRK is a safe and effective treatment for individuals who would like to be less dependent on glasses and contact lenses, but can PRK correct farsightedness or hyperopia? Fortunately, the answer is YES! Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) is an option for individuals who have hypermetropia. Located in the heart of the Chicago Loop, Dr. Colman Kraff has devoted the last 30 years to bringing the highest level of care to his patients, including many farsighted patients.
Farsightedness refers to the inability to see objects that are near, while distance objects are easy to see. This may occur if you have a problem with the lens of your eye, the cornea, or sometimes both. In individuals with longsightedness, the light that enters the eye is focused behind the retina, instead of directly onto the retina, causing the image you are looking at to appear blurry.
One option for the treatment of farsightedness is PRK. As mentioned, in order to see clearly the light that passes through the eye must focus precisely onto the retina. When someone is farsighted, their cornea is flatter, causing light to focus behind the retina, not on it. To correct this abnormality, the hyperopic PRK procedure uses a laser to remove a small amount of corneal tissue making the cornea steeper. By changing the shape of the cornea and making it steeper, the light can now focus correctly on the retina. There are many advantages to PRK, including:
Listed below is the step-by-step guide that you will follow when you’re ready to get rid of your glasses and see the best that life has to offer!
Although PRK is a safe and effective procedure, and has been performed millions of times, not everyone meets the specific criteria to undergo the surgery. The first step to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure, is to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. Preliminary measurements will be done, an extensive medical history will be taken, and you will meet with Dr. Kraff. After reviewing all of the information gathered, he will be able to determine if PRK will be a safe and effective treatment for you.
If Dr. Kraff recommends the PRK procedure for you, you will have to refrain from wearing your contact lenses for a period of time leading up to your dilated pre-operative exam. At this exam, a series of detailed and precise measurements will be performed to customize your treatment to your exact visual specifications. You will also be dilated, so that Dr. Kraff can do a thorough exam of the internal structures of your eyes to ensure that your eyes are indeed healthy.
PRK is a quick and painless procedure, which typically takes about 15 minutes. The patient is given several topical numbing drops to make certain that you are comfortable during the treatment. Dr.Kraff will use a small eyelid speculum to gently hold the patient's eyelids open during the procedure. Since the eyes are numb, the patient will not feel the urge to blink. Dr. Kraff will then use an instrument to gently brush off the surface cells of the cornea, called the epithelium. Once removed, Dr. Kraff will use the Excimer Laser to treat the exposed cornea. Once the laser treatment is completed, a soft bandage contact lens is placed on to the eye to aid in healing and help with any discomfort. The same steps are then repeated for the second eye.
Immediately following surgery, the patient will be encouraged to home and rest. For the first two to three days, you will need to avoid computer use,extensive reading, exercising, makeup, and driving. It is not uncommon to experience some discomfort during the first few days following the procedure, oral pain medication will help to minimize that irritation. After about 3 days, the epithelium will be healed and the bandage contact lens can be removed. Once the bandage lens has been removed, most patients can return to their normal day to day activities. Throughout the first year, patients will be seen for several quick follow-up visits.
The best way to determine if hypermetropia surgery is an option for you, is to visit the Kraff Eye Institute for a no-cost, no-obligation, consultation. Dr. Kraff will be able to identify if you fall within the parameters to safely have PRK for hyperopia.
PRK is quite effective at treating hyperopia. The vast majority of patients no longer require glasses or contact lenses to see clearly. With Dr. Kraffs extensive experience and use of advanced technology, our patients achieve exceptional results. Our thorough screening process allows Dr. Kraff to determine if you fit within our parameters for safety and success.
To determine if you are a good candidate for PRK farsightedness, your first step is to schedule a no-cost consultation. During the consultation, a refractive consultant will do a series of tests and measurements, including corneal thickness, corneal mapping, and prescription stability. All of these criteria will help to identify if a farsighted treatment is safe and effective for you.
When considering laser eye surgery for farsightedness, there are a few alternatives to the PRK procedure. Depending on the severity of hyperopia, the thickness of the cornea, and the shape of the cornea, an alternate procedure such as LASIK or Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) may be an option for you.
As with PRK, LASIK aims to reshape the corneal surface, to allow light to fall correctly onto the retina. The difference is that instead of removing the surface cells of the cornea, a flap is created on the cornea. The flap is gently lifted and the corneal tissue is reshaped using the same laser as the PRK procedure. Once completed, the flap is placed back into place.
RLE or refractive lens exchange can be a suitable option for individuals who might not be an ideal candidate for either PRK or LASIK. Due to age, previous eye surgeries, or high prescription strength, RLE might be a better option to be less dependent on glasses and contact lenses. During RLE the natural crystalline lens of the eye is removed and replaced with an artificial lens. RLE is a more invasive procedure and is typically done at an outpatient surgery center.
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During your consultation, your refractive consultant will discuss the exact cost of your PRK procedure. For your convenience, The Kraff Eye Institute has partnered with CareCredit to provide excellent financing options for our patients. Keep in mind, you can also use FSA and HSA funds towards the cost of PRK surgery.
The Kraff Eye Institute is a comprehensive eye care center, located in the heart of the Chicago Loop. Dr. Colman Kraff is a pioneer in the field of laser eye surgery, participating in the initial FDA clinical trials. With decades of experience and a commitment to advancing technology, Dr.Kraff is able to provide his patients with an outstanding level of success along with the highest level of safety.
You can simply CALL US or make an appointment using the online forms at the links below
312-444-1111Schedule Consultation
The cost of PRK for farsightedness will be discussed at the time of your consultation. Exact cost will depend on the exact procedure Dr. Kraff recommends for you.
As with any medical procedure, there can be risks. Although rare, they can include:
