By A/Professor Rob Paul, Ophthalmologist, Melville & Nedlands
It’s hard to believe the first laser keratorefractive procedure on humans was performed 40 years ago. It was called PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) and involved manual removal of the corneal epithelium then reshaping of the corneal stroma with an excimer laser.
The procedure was exceptionally painful and had a prolonged recovery. This was superseded by LASIK (laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis) which involved cutting a corneal flap with a mechanical blade and then applying the excimer laser to the underlying cornea. This procedure carried a higher complication rate.
The introduction...
It’s hard to believe the first laser keratorefractive procedure on humans was performed 40 years ago. It was called PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) and involved manual removal of the corneal epithelium then reshaping of the corneal stroma with an excimer laser.
The procedure was exceptionally painful and had a prolonged recovery. This was superseded by LASIK (laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis) which involved cutting a corneal flap with a mechanical blade and then applying the excimer laser to the underlying cornea. This procedure carried a higher complication rate.
The introduction...
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