Ditch the specs with safe and convenient PRK in East Grinstead, Sussex and London

Flapless laser eye surgery for active lifestyles

Safe and convenient PRK in East Grinstead, Sussex and London

Flapless laser eye surgery for active lifestyles

Say goodbye to glasses with PRK

A great solution if you are not suited for LASIK

What is PRK?

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) was the first major laser eye procedure surgeons used to treat refractive errors like short-sightedness, long-sightedness, and astigmatism.

It’s also an excellent option for those who don’t fit the criteria for traditional LASIK, such as patients who have extremely thin or irregularly shaped corneas or those who participate in physically demanding activities and occupations.

PRK is suitable for patients who have dry eyes or thin corneas and want to have refractive surgery. This is because some other types of refractive surgery, such as LASIK, are not recommended if a patient suffers from these conditions.

Also, if you have a very active lifestyle or job, PRK may be a better option for you than LASIK or similar procedures. This is because PRK does not involve cutting a flap in the cornea like LASIK. If you are highly active, this could accidentally dislodge a corneal flap, causing problems.

Some people who have certain lenses put in their eyes during cataract surgery may have PRK to finely tune their vision.

To have PRK, you must meet certain requirements:

  • You should be 18 years or older (ideally, over 21 years old, when vision is more likely to have stopped changing).
  • Your eye prescription should not have changed in the last year.
  • The refractive error must be one that PRK can treat.
  • Your corneas need to be healthy, and your overall eye health must be generally good.
  • You need to have realistic expectations about what PRK can and cannot do for you.

During PRK, instead of creating a corneal flap as in LASIK, the surgeon removes the extremely thin outer layer of the cornea (epithelium, which is like a clear “skin layer” covering the cornea), using an alcohol solution, a “buffing” device or a blunt surgical instrument. They then reshape the underlying corneal stroma with an excimer laser. A new epithelial layer grows back within five days.

Advantages
  • PRK can treat patients with thinner corneas
  • PRK can treat patients with unusual corneal shapes
  • PRK can be used for LASIK retreatments
Disadvantages
  • Longer healing time compared to LASIK
  • More discomfort compared to LASIK

PRK risks include:

  • Minor loss of best-corrected visual acuity that can’t be corrected with glasses or contact lenses
  • Permanent changes to night vision that include seeing glare and halos
  • Double vision
  • Severe or permanent dry eye
  • Diminished results over time, especially in older and long-sighted/far-sighted people

Your treatment options and alternatives will depend on your individual circumstances, which we will establish at your initial assessment.

PRK steps:

Step 1: We put anaesthetic drops in your eye to numb it. We then use a speculum to keep the eye open once the anaesthetic has taken effect.

Step 2: The surgeon will scrape off the epithelium, the thin outermost layer of the cornea, exposing the Bowman’s layer.

Step 3: The surgeon will now use an excimer or femtosecond laser to reshape the cornea. The laser is guided by a computer that will tell it which parts of the cornea to vaporise to give it the right shape. This part lasts for just a few seconds.

Step 4: Once the procedure is complete, the surgeon will put a soft contact lens as a ‘bandage’ to protect the eye while the epithelium is regrowing. The patient will also get painkillers to take during the recovery period.

The PRK results are similar to LASIK results. Most people achieve 20/20 vision after laser eye surgery, and nearly all achieve 20/40 visual acuity or higher. Depending on your degree of refractive error, you may still need to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, but the prescription will be significantly lower.

You’re just one step away from enjoying a fuller, more enriched life without glasses or contact lenses.

Say goodbye to tiresome visual aids with a suitability assessment in your local area. It really couldn’t be easier.

Do your glasses and contact lenses get in your way?

Learn more about vision correction surgery

You don’t want wear glasses or contact lenses

If you feel encumbered by needing glasses or contact lenses, then laser eye surgery might suit you. We offer all-laser LASIK and PRK.
Learn more

You don’t want to wear reading glasses

If you’re over 50 and want to see clearly at close and distant objects, lens eye surgery might be for you. We offer lens replacement with premium IOLs.
Learn more

You have a high prescription and are not suitable for laser eye surgery

If you’re not a candidate for laser, we offer Implantable Contact Lenses (ICLs) as an ideal option to get out of glasses and contact lenses.
Learn more

Thousands of happy patients gain freedom from cataracts, glasses and eye conditions

“I found the service I received from Dr. Elalfy very good, having experienced problems with surgery elsewhere, he sorted out those problems and reassured me to go on and complete my treatment. A lovely person with a very high skill set in optical surgery.”

Ms A.A.

“Fantastic impression and support from the first meeting. Excellent bedside manner with detailed explanations. Eye surgery expertly executed with 100% result wished for. Professional from start to finish. Absolutely no hesitation to recommend.”

Mrs L.W.

Thousands of happy patients instantly gain freedom from cataracts, glasses and eye conditions

“I found the service I received from Dr. Elalfy very good, having experienced problems with surgery elsewhere, he sorted out those problems and reassured me to go on and complete my treatment. A lovely person with a very high skill set in optical surgery.”

Ms A.A.

“Mohamed Elalfy achieves all that we want from our medical practitioners; interest in you as a patient, great care in analysing the problem and ensuring that one’s concerns, emotional and practical, are thoroughly considered and explained and a great outcome.”

Mr B.P.

We have replaced the images of real patients who provided these testimonials to protect their privacy.

Affiliations and memberships

We are aligned with the following professional bodies

Academic resources on PRK

Learn more about PRK from authoritative sources

This paper compares the visual and refractive outcomes of transepithelial corneal crosslinking (CXL) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in eyes with low myopia based on a non-randomized study. Click here for more information.

PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) is a type of laser refractive surgery to correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. PRK was the first type of laser eye surgery for vision correction and has been performed longer than LASIK. Click here for more information.

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) was introduced in the late 1980s to correct myopia. The purpose of this study was to assess its long-term efficacy and safety, analyzing patients with at least a 20-year follow-up. Click here for more information.

For vision problems the best first step is an assessment for vision correction surgery

An assessment appointment for vision correction surgery helps you find out if you’re suitable for the procedure based on your prescription and lifestyle needs.

Beat the lockdown wait lists and move forward with your life

We provide personalised treatment at a time and place that suits you

Mr Mohamed Elalfy

MBBCh, MSc, MD, DRCOphth, FRCS (Ed), FRCS (Glas), FRCOphth, FICO, FEBO
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Seeking eye treatment for a worrying eye condition can be stressful. Waitlists everywhere are long due to the lockdowns, and leaving the house to attend appointments can be a real inconvenience.

To make your experience as easy and stress-free as possible, we provide assessments in your local area. We also offer online appointments both before and after your treatment, so you don’t have to travel far to get the personalised support you deserve.

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