Find precision PRK eye surgery in Melbourne with our skilled eye specialists

Find precision PRK eye surgery in Melbourne with our skilled eye specialists

Although PRK eye surgery in Melbourne is considered an older refractive surgery technique, it still maintains a valuable position in the suite of surgical methods of laser vision correction. The ophthalmologists at Mornington Peninsula Eye Clinic and our associate practice, Eye Laser Specialists, have been performing PRK laser eye surgery in Melbourne for years. Despite the advent of newer surgical procedures such as SMILE® and LASIK, PRK continues to be an effective technique of allowing patients to achieve clear vision without the need for glasses and contact lenses.

The Process of PRK Eye Surgery

Our Melbourne clinics are fully equipped with the technology and trained staff to perform successful PRK surgery. Within Melbourne our experienced refractive specialists practise across multiple locations, including Eye Laser Specialists in Armadale, to make laser vision correction accessible no matter where you come from.

Your initial appointment with us at Mornington Peninsula Eye Clinic will comprise of a comprehensive eye examination to ensure that PRK is the most appropriate technique for your unique eyes. Our highly trained clinical team will assess several factors, including:

Corneal thickness

Our clinicians will take measurements of the thickness of your cornea as part of the PRK surgery involves removing areas of this tissue. Ensuring your corneas are of adequate thickness is important in reducing your risk of postoperative complications.

Your prescription

The suitable prescription range for PRK is similar to those for LASIK: short-sightedness of -1.00 to -10.00D, far-sightedness of up to +4.00D, and astigmatism of up to -4.00D.

Eye health

Ensuring you do not have any conditions that may increase your risk of adverse outcomes or significantly limit your final vision is important in creating realistic expectations but also may deem you unsuitable for PRK.

If our ophthalmologist considers PRK to be an unsuitable treatment for you, you may be offered a more appropriate procedure, such as ICL or SMILE®. At Mornington Peninsula Eye Clinic our team is dedicated to ensuring your safety and comfort throughout your time under our care.

Once our clinicians have established that there are no factors that exclude you from PRK surgery, you will be scheduled into our state-of-the-art operating facilities. PRK laser eye surgery in Melbourne is typically performed under only topical anaesthesia, though a mild sedative can be offered if you’re feeling very anxious or restless. After numbing eye drops have been instilled, you will be given a fixation light to hold your eye stable for the duration of the procedure.
The first step is debridement, which involves removing the superficial layer of epithelium from the cornea. This exposes the underlying tissues, which are then sculpted using a high precision excimer laser in a process known as photoablation. The reshaping of the cornea changes the focus of light passing through the eye so that it comes to a sharp point on the retina, what you will then perceive as a clear vision.

After the laser procedure is complete, your corneal epithelium is allowed to regenerate, protected by a soft bandage contact lens. Our clinical team will talk you through your post-operative care instructions and schedule several follow-up exams to ensure your eyes are healing.

The Benefits of PRK Surgery

Flapless

Although similar to LASIK in that the top layer of corneal tissue must be removed prior to photoablation, in LASIK the hinged corneal flap created may be associated with rare complications. The flapless PRK technique eliminates all flap-related problems.

Suitable for thinner corneas

In the absence of a flap, more corneal tissue is available for photoablation in PRK. This makes PRK surgery a potentially suitable technique for patients who have been excluded from other surgeries such as LASIK.

Low risk of dry eye

PRK is a good option for those with a pre-existing dry eye as this technique is associated with a reduced risk of exacerbated dry eye postoperatively.

For our patients interested in PRK surgery in our Melbourne rooms, call us today for an appointment.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.