CK and PRK Offered in the Fayetteville Area of North Carolina
While LASIK is the most well-known refractive surgery technique, it may not be right for everyone. Patients with thin corneas, large pupils, or age-related farsightedness often do better with PRK or CK. In North Carolina, our eye center serving Fayetteville and surrounding areas offers these alternative refractive surgery procedures in order to meet the needs of all of our patients. If you have blurry vision and would like to be less dependant on glasses or contacts, refractive surgery may be right for you.
CK (Conductive Keratoplasty)
CK is a non-laser procedure used to treat patients with mild to moderate farsightedness or presbyopia (the loss of focusing ability that develops naturally over time). Farsightedness occurs when the shape of the eyeball is not long enough or the cornea is too flat or rigid to focus light effectively onto the retina at the back of the eye. Through CK, mild heat energy can be used to reshape the cornea so as to correct these aberrations, significantly improving your vision. CK — offered at our North Carolina locations — was approved by the FDA in 2002 for patients with mild farsightedness and in 2004 for those with presbyopia.
The CK Procedure
With CK, no incisions are made and no tissue is removed. Instead, heat in the form of radio waves is conducted through a fine probe and applied to the mid-cornea and its periphery in small bursts, creating a circular pattern. As these treated spots heal, they shrink, tightening the collagen tissue of the cornea so as to create a steeper shape.
CK surgery takes anywhere from five to fifteen minutes for both eyes. A speculum will hold the eyelids open during the procedure. We use numbing eyedrops to anesthetize the eye before beginning the CK procedure, so there is little to no pain or discomfort. Because CK is non-invasive, the risk of complications is significantly reduced.
After CK
There is no need to wear an eye patch following the CK procedure, and most patients can return to work the following day. You should make arrangements for someone to drive you home from our office, however, as your vision may be slightly impaired due to the topical anesthesia used during the procedure.
Many patients notice an improvement in their vision almost immediately after undergoing CK; however, final results may not be seen until a week or more following surgery. While CK can minimize the effects of aging on the eye, it cannot halt the aging process altogether. Repeat treatment may therefore be necessary to maintain the results of surgery.
To find out if you are a good candidate for CK, contact our Fayetteville eye centers, serving all of North Carolina.
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)
PRK has been successfully performed for more than two decades. Originally approved by the FDA in 1995, the PRK procedure involves the use of an excimer laser to reshape the cornea in order to produce clearer vision. Although LASIK and PRK are both highly effective at treating refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, PRK is considered a more appropriate treatment choice for people with large pupils or thin corneas.
The PRK Procedure
Unlike LASIK, the PRK procedure—also available at our Fayetteville, North Carolina location—does not involve the use of a microkeratome or the creation of a corneal flap. Instead, the surgeon gently removes the outer layer of the cornea (the epithelium) to expose the middle cornea to the laser.
A speculum is used to hold the eye open and prevent blinking during the procedure. To anesthetize the eye, the surgeon applies numbing eyedrops. The laser, preprogrammed with the patient's prescription, is placed above the eye while the patient is directed to stare at a blinking light. The surgeon will use the laser to remove very small amounts of tissue to reshape the cornea for optimal vision. Once the procedure has been completed, the surgeon applies topical antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication to prevent infection and promote healing. A bandage contact lens will then be applied. Typically, the entire PRK procedure takes less than 15 minutes for both eyes, and patients can leave after resting for a few minutes following surgery.
After PRK
The epithelium of the eye will take several days to heal. Patients are instructed to continue wearing the bandage contact lens for approximately three days following the PRK procedure. Eyedrops to help with the healing process may be needed for as little as six weeks or as long as six months, depending on the severity of the preoperative refractive error.
Results of PRK are comparable to those of LASIK. Patients generally end up with 20/40 vision or better. However, with PRK, recovery time is longer and final results may not be seen for up to six months following surgery. With our LASIK surgeons, you can discuss which refractive surgery technique is most appropriate for you.
Contact Cape Fear Eye Associates for CK and PRK Refractive Surgery
If you are interested in having your eyesight surgically corrected with CK or PRK, our North Carolina eye centers serving Fayetteville and surrounding areas can help. To schedule a consultation with one of our ophthalmologists, contact Cape Fear Eye Associates today.
To schedule a consultation for CK or PRK eye surgery, contact the Fayetteville, North Carolina offices of Cape Fear Eye Associates.