Refractive Surgery in Monterey and Salinas: PRK, AK, CRT

LASIK may be the most popular and best known refractive surgery available, but it is not right for everyone. Depending on the structure of the patient’s eye, the problem to be addressed, and the medical history of the patient, other treatment options besides LASIK may offer the best chance of good results and minimal side effects. If these circumstances apply to you, an ophthalmologist at our practice can offer some other choices instead. The refractive surgery procedures available in Monterey and Salinas at Monterey Bay Eye Center include PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), AK (astigmatic keratotomy), and CRT (corneal refractive therapy).

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PRK – Photorefractive Keratectomy

PRK is a refractive surgery that can provide laser vision correction to patients who might not be good candidates for LASIK. These patients may include those with thin corneas, or those who require greater levels of vision correction than can be provided through LASIK.

Using the same laser technology as LASIK, PRK differs in that no flap is created in the cornea prior to reshaping it. Instead, the doctor will use a laser to directly shape the surface of the cornea to the required dimensions.

Because there is no flap to protect the treated surface of the eye, PRK patients usually experience more burning and discomfort in the days following refractive surgery than with LASIK. Vision will gradually improve over a couple of weeks while the eyes heal.

To find out if you are a good candidate for PRK refractive surgery, contact our Monterey or Salinas laser eye surgery centers today to schedule a consultation.

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AK – Astigmatic Keratotomy

Astigmatism is a condition in which the eye fails to curve uniformly and may occur in conjunction with myopia or hyperopia. Images processed by an astigmatic eye reach the retina at two points, rather than one, resulting in a blurry image.

Astigmatic keratotomy, or AK, is a type of refractive surgery that corrects astigmatism by evening out the curvature of the cornea. After numbing the eye, the doctor makes tiny and precise slits in the affected area of the cornea. This allows the eye to flatten into a more symmetrical shape.

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CRT – Corneal Refractive Therapy

CRT is technically not a refractive “surgery.” Rather, it is a non-surgical method of correcting myopia and astigmatism that uses special contact lenses to reshape the corneas at night. Rather than the permanent correction offered by laser vision correction, CRT affords a non-invasive and temporary solution to blurry vision.

When patients come to the Monterey Bay Eye Center to be fitted for corneal refractive therapy contact lenses, the doctor will measure their eyes using digital mapping similar to that used in Wavefront™ LASIK refractive surgery. The map will be used to create a unique pair of contact lenses that are designed to flatten the front of the cornea.

Unlike normal contact lenses, CRT lenses are worn at night. After the patient removes them in the morning, the result is clear vision for the rest of the day. Results may depend on such factors as the severity of the patient's myopia and the length of their active day. If the CRT treatment is not performing as well as the patient would like, more invasive refractive surgery options may be considered. Consult with our doctors in Monterey or Salinas to find out which of these treatment options is right for you.

CRT is completely reversible. If a patient stops wearing their CRT contact lenses their vision will return to pre-treatment levels within one week.

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To learn more about your treatment options or to find out if you are a good candidate for refractive surgery, contact Monterey Bay Eye Center in Salinas or Monterey today to schedule a consultation.

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