Chu Vision Institute Offers PRK Procedure in Minneapolis

Bloomington, Minnesota -

Chu Vision Institute, a premier vision correction center based in Bloomington, MN, is pleased to be offering the PRK procedure to their local community. PRK is a trusted laser vision correction procedure that has been around for decades, offering excellent results. Those who have to wear glasses and contacts are effectively renting their vision, but the PRK procedure offers permanent vision correction for patients. Thousands of Twin Cities patients have experienced visual freedom with PRK from refractive surgeon Dr. Ralph Chu. Learn more here: PRK Minneapolis.

There are many benefits of getting the PRK procedure through Chu Vision. It helps patients achieve crisp, clear vision. It is also a great LASIK alternative for those who have thin corneas and other conditions that would prevent them from qualifying for LASIK. The procedure is safe and effective as well as quick and painless. The procedure also provides freedom from contacts and glasses, and of course, a patient will always find that investing in their vision is always a wise choice.

The first innovative method of laser refractive surgery, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) has given millions of people throughout the world 20/20 vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses. Prior to LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis), PRK was practiced reliably and safely for around 10 years. Ophthalmologists continue to perform PRK on a regular basis, mostly on patients with thin corneas making them unable to have the LASIK procedure. In order to correct refractive error and vision issues including myopia (nearsightedness), astigmatism and hyperopia (farsightedness), PRK surgery is performed a little differently than other laser eye surgery procedures, and one notable difference is that patients experience slightly longer recovery times. The good news is that results from photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) surgery are on par with (or even better than) those from other laser vision correction procedures. If a patient feels that they could be a suitable candidate for PRK, they may get in touch with the staff at Chu Vision Institute in Minneapolis for a comprehensive evaluation.

PRK laser eye surgery is a great option for those who need corrective eyewear, want to undergo laser vision correction, and also are not a candidate for LASIK. Patients with specific eye diseases or those who are at a higher risk of eye injury due to an active lifestyle, dangerous jobs or participation in extreme sports may benefit more from PRK surgery. Candidates for laser eye surgery must be at least 18 years old, have fully developed eyes and have stable corrective lens prescriptions for at least a year. The clinic’s skilled team of eye care professionals will run a series of tests, including a thorough eye assessment, and consider any recent or existing medical issues to determine whether PRK is the best option for each patient.

The PRK procedure typically takes about 10 minutes. Dr. Chu typically recommends scheduling the procedure one eye at a time 1-2 weeks apart. To provide a pain-free procedure, a team member will first numb the eye with eye drops. To keep the eye from blinking, a lid separator will be used so the patient doesn’t have to worry about blinking.The first stages of the PRK procedure share some similarities with LASIK surgery. The absence of a corneal flap makes PRK refractive surgery distinct from LASIK eye surgery, however. Instead of a flap, the eye's epithelium is gently removed and the cornea is reshaped with the laser. At the conclusion of the PRK procedure, a bandage contact lens is placed on the eye to protect the eye while the epithelial tissue heals. In 1 - 2 weeks, the epithelial tissue fully regenerates itself.

Patients will require 2 - 3 follow-up visits to the Chu Vision office in the Twin Cities following PRK. After the photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), a follow-up appointment will be scheduled on the following day, one week later, and one month later. These visits are essential for monitoring each patient's healing, identifying any unexpected reactions and managing any discomfort that might arise.

A pioneer in refractive and cataract surgery, Dr. Ralph Chu is a board-certified ophthalmologist with training in corneal surgery. He specializes in cataract, LASIK, and cornea surgeries for patients in the Minneapolis, St. Paul and the surroundingTwin Cities areas. Those interested may visit the practice's website or get in touch via phone or email.