PRK EYE SURGERY

Do you wish you could wake up with naturally clear vision and have the freedom to enjoy life without glasses or contact lenses getting in the way?
Laser eye surgery is an effective treatment to correct common vision problems and free you from glasses and contact lenses. It involves reshaping the front surface of the eye to correct for your prescription. LASIK and PRK are two common methods for achieving this.

What is PRK?

For those who may not be suitable candidates for LASIK, PRK is another safe alternative. PRK differs from LASIK in that no flap is created, but instead, the laser corrective ablation is applied directly onto the surface of the cornea after the surface cells (epithelium) have been removed. Hence, it is also known as surface treatments or advanced surface laser ablation (ASLA).

Am I suitable for PRK?

To be a suitable candidate for PRK, you should:

  • Be 18 years or older.
  • Have a stable spectacle or contact lens prescription for at least a year.
  • Have healthy eyes.
  • Not be pregnant or breastfeeding.

There are limits to how much myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism that can be corrected with PRK and this largely depends on the thickness of your cornea. The best way to find out if you are eligible is to book in for a laser eye surgery assessment.

At this appointment, you will have several tests done to determine your prescription, corneal shape, thickness and general eye health. This is followed by a consultation with Dr Goh where your eyes will be examined and your suitability for PRK or other treatment options discussed with you.

When is PRK recommended over LASIK?

PRK is generally preferred over LASIK if you have thinner corneas, dry eyes, or if you engage certain contact sports or occupations that puts you at a higher risk of being knocked in the eye. The main difference between PRK and LASIK is that PRK is a flapless technique. The long-term visual outcome is the same for both procedures.

How does PRK work?

Like in LASIK, the excimer re-shapes the surface of the cornea in an extremely precise fashion, correcting for your prescription. This changes the curvature of the cornea, and hence the focus of the eye. This improved focus of the eye allows you to see clearly without glasses or contact lenses.

How is PRK performed?

Conventional PRK surgery is a two-step procedure that involves removal of the surface cells covering the cornea (the epithelium) with alcohol and a blade or brush, followed by reshaping of the underlying cornea with the excimer laser.

Dr Goh performs PRK surgery using the Schwind Amaris 1050RS excimer laser which simultaneously removes the corneal epithelium and reshapes the cornea in a single step. This single-step “no touch” laser treatment is known as trans-PRK surgery. Trans-PRK surgery does not require the use of any surgical instruments, thus allowing for a gentler, less invasive and more comfortable experience for you. The recovery time is also quicker than conventional PRK surgery. At the end of the procedure, a soft contact lens is placed on the eye for 5 days to allow re-growth of the corneal epithelium.

PRK EYE SURGERY

Single-step trans-PRK procedure

WHY CHOOSE DR JOANNE GOH?

Specialist refractive surgeon
Specialist refractive surgeon
The most important consideration when deciding on your eye specialist is selecting the surgeon with the right expertise, skill and experience. Dr Goh is a leading expert in laser eye and lens implant surgery who has been fellowship trained at international centres of excellence, guaranteeing you the highest level of surgical expertise and care.
Personalised care
Personalised care
Unlike at some larger laser eye clinics, where you may only meet the surgeon on the day of your surgery, you can expect personalised care at every step of your journey. You will be seen by Dr Goh at all of your pre and post-operative appointments.
Customised treatment
Customised treatment
We customise all individual treatments to give you the best possible vision. We also offer a complete range of vision correction options tailored to your needs if laser eye surgery isn’t suitable for you.
Cutting edge, state-of-the-art technology
Cutting edge, state-of-the-art technology
We use the latest, state-of-the-art technology in your assessment, treatment planning and surgery. Your laser eye surgery is performed using the world’s most advanced laser eye technology available on the market, German engineered Schwind Amaris 1050RS excimer laser.
We are committed to helping you achieve your goal of 20/20 vision
We are committed to helping you achieve your goal of 20/20 vision
We routinely analyse our outcomes using sophisticated eye analysis softwares to continually monitor and refine our calculations and techniques to ensure that our patients achieve the best possible visual outcomes.
Specialised team
Specialised team
We have a team of experienced ophthalmologists each with their own subspecialty expertise enabling us to provide you with holistic eye care.

Book a laser eye surgery assessment

Dr Joanne Goh is a leading vision correction specialist in Melbourne and is dedicated to achieving the best results for her patients.  If you’d like to find out if you are suitable for PRK surgery, please contact us on (03) 9070 0955 to book a consultation, or click on the button below to request a call back.

Request a call back

PRK FAQs:

1. Is laser eye surgery covered by Medicare or private health insurance?

Laser eye surgery is considered discretionary surgery and therefore does not attract any Medicare rebates. There are, however, a limited number of health funds that will cover some or all of the cost of laser eye surgery. It is always worth contacting your health fund to check if you are eligible for any rebates.

2. What is included in the surgery cost?

Your surgery fee includes:

  • All postoperative appointments with Dr Goh for 12 months.
  • All tests and investigations carried out within the first year of surgery.
  • Any enhancements required within the first year of surgery.

3. How much time do I need off work?

We recommend a week off work after PRK surgery.

4. Will I still need reading glasses after laser eye surgery?

Laser eye surgery does not specifically address the need for reading glasses, which usually occurs in your 40s. If you’re over 40 and having laser eye surgery, you may be recommended monovision, where your dominant eye is fully corrected for distance vision and the non-dominant eye left slightly short-sighted for reading, thus reducing your dependence on reading glasses.