Advanced Surface Treatment

Advanced Surface Treatment also known as PRK - Photorefractive Keratectomy is a vision correction procedure that is considered primarily for patients with thinner corneas. Advanced Surface Treatment uses the same excimer laser technology that is used in LASIK, however, no corneal flap is made. The surgeon manually removes the thin top corneal layer (the epithelium). The laser is applied and then a protective bandage contact lens is inserted. The contact lens is typically left in the eye for 3 to 4 days and removed by your doctor during a post-operative visit.

Advance Surface Treatment

Advance Surface Treatment is a recently adopted type of LASIK eye surgery performed to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Advance Surface Treatment actually combines advantages from both PRK and conventional LASIK into one procedure. Advance Surface Treatment is a viable alternative to these two procedures and is performed by our surgeons at the Parris & Castoro Eye & Laser Center.

The procedure

Advance Surface Treatment involves cutting an ultra thin flap from tissue known as epithelium that covers the very front of the eye's surface or cornea. Advance Surface Treatment differs from LASIK primarily based around the type of flap created. The flap cut is so thin that it does not penetrate the actual cornea whereas LASIK actually penetrates into the cornea. With Advance Surface Treatment the surgeon uses epithelial separator to separate the sheet from the eye. After the epithelial separator has created this ultra thin flap the flap is lifted and carefully folded back. The next step involves using an excimer laser just like with conventional LASIK. The laser treatment then occurs, thus reshaping the surface of the eye. The epithelial flap is then gently repositioned back on the eye. A contact lens bandage may be required after the surgery to assist with the healing process.

Advantages of Advance Surface Treatment:

1. Fewer Flap Complications With Advance Surface Treatment: Because flaps are so much thinner with Advance Surface Treatment, chances of complications appear to be reduced.
2. Less Dry Eye With Advance Surface Treatment: Surgeons using Advance Surface Treatment have reported fewer instances of dry eye syndrome as a complication, possibly because the thinner flap does not hamper normal processes of corneal nerves involved in triggering responses necessary to moisten the eye's surface.
3. Advance Surface Treatment More Appropriate for Thinner Corneas: Patients with thinner corneas or less cornea tissue appear to have less likelihood of complications with Advance Surface Treatment, because this method does not penetrate the cornea.