LASIK & PRK

Wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses can be inconvenient, especially if you’re active. At Atlantic Eye Consultants, with offices in Melbourne, Merritt Island, Titusville, Rockledge, and Palm Bay, Florida, LASIK and PRK surgeries are available to correct refractive errors like nearsightedness and astigmatism. Dr. Darlington is a fellowship trained LASIK surgeon. During his residency in ophthalmology at the University of California Davis he piloted research on laser vision correction and wavefront technology. Dr. Darlington has also served both as speaker and faculty at refractive surgery courses teaching other surgeons how to perform laser vision correction and phakic intraocular lens implant surgery. He had LASIK himself in 2005 and has better than 20/20 uncorrected vision. Call the Atlantic Eye Consultants office nearest you today to schedule a LASIK and PRK consultation to determine which laser treatment is best for you, or book an appointment online.

What is LASIK and PRK?

LASIK (laser in-situ keratomileusis) and PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) are minimally invasive outpatient procedures that use lasers to reshape your cornea. These refractive surgeries correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.

The difference between LASIK and PRK is how the procedure is done. In LASIK, your surgeon creates a thin flap in the outer layer of the cornea, giving the laser access to the cornea. In PRK, your surgeon removes the outer layer of tissue to expose the cornea for reshaping.

Atlantic Eye Consultants offers LASIK and PRK procedures to qualified candidates. The ophthalmology team performs comprehensive eye exams to determine which refractive error you have and whether LASIK or PRK is the best fit for correcting the problem.

What qualifies me for LASIK or PRK surgery?

The team reviews your medical history as part of your eye exam at Atlantic Eye Consultants. During a dilated eye exam, they evaluate various aspects of your eye health, including corneal thickness and the degree of your refractive error.

The team also discusses your expectations for laser treatment. LASIK procedures suit people with thicker corneas and moderate to high refractive errors.

You could qualify for PRK if the surface of your cornea is irregular or thin.

What happens during LASIK and PRK treatment?

You remain awake during your LASIK or PRK procedure, but the Atlantic Eye Consultants team provides a sedative to keep you relaxed and calm.

For LASIK, your provider creates a thin flap in your cornea. They lift the flap and use a laser to reshape the cornea’s inner layer to correct your vision.

If you’re undergoing PRK, the team uses the laser to remove the outer layer of cells on the cornea that shape the cornea.

Both procedures take minimal time to complete. The team can prescribe eye drops to help your eyes heal fully after treatment. After LASIK, people typically return to their usual activities within 48 hours with clearer vision. PRK requires a longer recovery: it can take several weeks for your vision to improve.

Call the Atlantic Eye Consultants office nearest you today to schedule a consultation for LASIK and PRK. You can also book an appointment online.