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At Kraff Eye Institute in Chicago, IL, Dr. Colman Kraff, a pioneer in refractive eye surgery, uses advanced surface ablation technology to treat patients with myopia, or nearsightedness. Our PRK eye surgery for nearsightedness delivers patients clear vision with advanced safety precautions. If you are thinking of having photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), contact Kraff Eye!
Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, is a refractive error and a common vision condition that affects people of all ages. It occurs when the shape of the eye causes light to focus incorrectly on the retina, resulting in blurred vision of distant objects. Some of the most common symptoms of myopia include:
Myopia can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam and can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery such as LASIK or PRK, which works by reshaping the cornea to improve the focus and clarity of objects in the distance.
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a type of refractive surgery that uses an excimer laser to reshape the cornea to correct nearsightedness (myopia). The procedure involves removing the thin, outer layer of the cornea (epithelium) then reshaping the underlying tissue with the laser. PRK is an excellent option for patients who are not suitable candidates for LASIK due to thin corneas or other corneal irregularities. It is also the preferred choice for patients with severe myopia, as it can effectively correct higher levels of myopia than other laser procedures. The benefits of PRK for farsightedness include:
Overall, PRK is a safe and effective procedure that can help patients achieve clear vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses. It is important to discuss the benefits and risks of PRK laser treatment for myopia or severe myopia with your doctor or an experienced ophthalmologist to determine if it is the right procedure and option for you.
If you have nearsightedness (myopia) and are looking for a solution to reduce your dependence on glasses or contact lenses, then PRK for myopia may be an option for you. However, not everyone is a candidate for this procedure. Ideal candidates for PRK for myopia typically:
PRK treatment for high myopia may be considered on a case-by-case basis, as the procedure may not be effective for extremely high levels of myopia. It is best to consult with your doctor or an experienced ophthalmologist to determine if PRK is right for you.
Take the first step to clear vision - schedule your PRK consultation today!
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PRK is a safe and effective procedure that uses a laser to remove a microscopic amount of tissue from the cornea. By removing tissue from the cornea and reshaping the surface, it allows the light that passes through the eye to focus properly on to the retina. The software and technology used here at our practice allows us to treat patients who have high levels of refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
The first step in finding out if surgery is a safe treatment option for you is to come in for a no-cost, no obligation, consultation. During this exam, you will meet with a refractive counselor who will perform a series of measurements. These measurements will include taking photos of your corneas (corneal topographies), measuring the thickness of your corneas, looking at your refractive error, and checking your vision in your glasses and/or contact lenses. The counselor will then discuss the different surgery options for you. If you decide to move forward with treatment, the refractive counselor can then help you look at dates and times for your surgery.
If surgery is determined to be a safe option for you, you will need to have a dilated pre-op exam prior to the day of your treatment. If you wear contact lenses, you will need to be out of your lenses anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks (sometimes longer) leading up to the final measurements and surgery. Once out of the lenses, a pre-op exam will be done to get all the specific, detailed, measurements of your corneas. The measurements performed at your initial consultation are meant only to be a screening evaluation to see if you fall within treatable parameters for surgery. We will also dilate your eyes at the pre-op exam so that Dr. Kraff can get a better look at the internal health of the eyes. Once completed, Dr. Kraff will confirm if surgery is a safe option for you and will answer any questions you have. You will then meet with one of our surgical coordinators who will go over everything you'll need to know for the day of surgery.
On the day of surgery, you should plan on being in the office for about 2 hours and you'll need a way to get home without driving yourself. After checking in and going over paperwork and collecting payment, you will be given an oral sedative to help you relax. During the treatment, you will be given several sets of topical numbing drops to ensure a pain-free surgery.
A small instrument will first be used to help gently keep your eyelids open during the laser surgery. Dr. Kraff will use a surgical instrument that will quickly and gently brush off the surface layer of the cornea known as the epithelium. Once removed, a laser will remove a microscopic amount of tissue from the cornea, reshaping the corneal surface. This process takes only a matter of seconds, and you will not feel any pain or discomfort as the laser is treating.
Upon completion, a soft, bandage contact lens, will be placed on the eye to help expedite the healing process and provide additional comfort. We will then treat the 2nd eye in the exact manner that the 1st eye was treated.
After surgery, you will then be taken into a recovery room where Dr. Kraff will take 1 final look at your eyes. We will also go over all your immediate post-op care instructions and you'll be encouraged to go home and try and sleep, and relax as much as possible. A patient should plan on laying low for 2 to 3 days and wear sunglasses during the early postoperative period. Once healed, Dr. Kraff will remove the soft bandage contact lens and you should be able to return to most of your normal activities.
PRK eye surgery is a highly effective treatment for nearsightedness. Studies have shown that over 90% of patients achieve 20/40 vision or better after the procedure, which is the legal requirement for driving without corrective lenses in the United States. The results of PRK for myopia are long-lasting, with most patients experience improved vision for many years following the surgery.
LASIK is a popular alternative to PRK for myopia. This procedure uses a laser to create a thin flap in the cornea, which is then lifted, and the corneal tissue is then reshaped to correct the vision. LASIK typically has a shorter recovery time than PRK for myopia and may be a better option for patients with milder levels of myopia.
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) involves replacing the natural lens of the eye with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to correct your vision. This procedure may be a better option for patients with higher levels of myopia or who are also experiencing presbyopia, a common age-related condition that affects the near vision.
Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) is a procedure that involves implanting a tiny lens inside the eye to correct vision. ICL can be a better choice for patients with severe myopia or who are not candidates for LASIK or PRK due to thin corneas.
IOL Intraocular Lens (IOL) is another option for patients with myopia who may not be good candidates for LASIK or PRK. This procedure involves replacing the natural lens of the eye with an artificial lens to correct vision. IOL may be a better option for patients with presbyopia or cataracts, a condition that clouds the natural lens of the eye.
Transform your vision with PRK laser eye surgery at Kraff Eye Institute in Chicago. Book your appointment today.
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The cost of PRK can vary depending on several factors such as the location, the surgeon's experience, the technology used, and the level of correction needed. The average cost of PRK for myopia in Chicago is around $1800 to $2800 per eye.
Like LASIK surgery, PRK is considered an elective procedure and is not typically covered by most major medical insurance plans. But there may be other options to consider, such as financing plans, credit cards, or using a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to pay for the procedure with pre-tax dollars.
Kraff Eye Institute is a highly reputable eye care center in Chicago, known for its expertise in vision correction procedures such as PRK. Here are some of the reasons why Kraff Eye Institute is a great choice for PRK surgery for myopia:
If you're considering PRK laser eye surgery for myopia in Chicago, Kraff Eye Institute is an excellent choice for achieving superior results.
Dr. Colman Kraff is a top-rated ophthalmologist, surgeon, and the founder of Kraff Eye Institute, a leading eye care center in Chicago. With over 35 years of experience in the field of ophthalmology, Dr. Kraff is known for his expertise in vision correction procedures like PRK surgery for myopia. He has performed thousands of successful PRK surgeries and has helped many patients achieve clear, improved vision.
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Take the first step towards clear vision without glasses. Contact us now to schedule your PRK surgery consultation in Chicago.
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PRK can correct up to about -12 diopters of myopia, which is considered a high level of myopia. The outcomes of PRK for high myopia can vary and can depend on factors such as the severity of high myopia, the patient's age and overall health, and the surgeon's experience and technique. While PRK may not completely eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses in individuals with high myopia, it can significantly improve your quality of life.
While PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) can effectively correct myopia (nearsightedness), it's not typically used to correct presbyopia (age-related farsightedness). However, some patients with both myopia and presbyopia may be good candidates for a procedure called monovision, in which one eye is corrected for distance vision and the other eye is corrected for near vision. This can provide a functional solution for patients with both conditions, but it's important to discuss all options with an experienced surgeon to determine the best treatment plan for your individual needs and visual goals.
