Photorefractive keratectomy is also known
as PRK and is a very similar procedure to the ever popular LASIK or
Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy (or Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis.
Originally performed back in 1996 by Dr. Dimitri Azar, it was not until later
that it would become popular thanks to the advancements by Dr. Camellin. The
goal of the procedure is to change the shape of the cornea permanently with the
use of a laser incision. During the procedure a small amount of cornea tissue
is ablated by the laser resulting in a flattening of the steepened cornea. A
computer is used to track the procedure in which it is capable of tracking the
movement of the eye more than 4,000 times per second. This allows the procedure
to be performed virtually flawlessly every time even if the patient’s eyes are
moving during the incision and ablation.
The damaged cells caused as a result of the
photorefractive keratectomy are replaced by the limbal stem and within a matter
of only days, full recovery can be seen without any apparent clouding of one’s
vision. The procedure is to remove the epithelium and discard it completely and
due to its regenerative capabilities it is able to grow back without the
defects that led to the vision impairment.
The vast differences between PRK and LASIK
are that with PRK the procedure is accomplished using a metal blade during
which a permanent flap in the deep corneal layers is never created. With the
LASIK, the procedure is performed using a laser and this deep corneal flap is created.
The differences go on to include a shorter healing time with less pain and a
greater potential when one goes the route of using the laser versus a diamond
blade. However, likewise the flap created by the laser version has been known
to be dislocated resulting in issues in the event the patient undergoes a
trauma following the procedure.
If you are undergoing the PRK or LASIK
procedures and are planning on applying to be an aviator, it is important that
you make sure to allow full healing after the procedure as this is one of the
requirements. On the other hand if you are planning on joining the armed forces
you can get a blanket waiver covering the procedure with limitations on things
like driving while on active duty and in government owned vehicles.
