Yale-New Haven Eye Laser Center. PRK is the acronym for photorefractive keratectomy. Let us explain the basic elements of how these types of procedures work by first explaining how a normal, healthy eye functions. In the normal eye , light enters and is bent or refracted by a clear, strong tissue at the front of the eye called the cornea. The cornea focuses incoming light onto the retina at the back of the eye. . . . .
Refraction refers to the way the cornea and lens bend light rays to focus properly on the retina.
It is a three-way relationship that, unfortunately, is based on hereditary and developmental factors. Just as you inherit your family's eye color, you may also inherit the way your cornea, lens, and retina operate to produce clear vision. The hereditary and developmental factors that cause refractive errors such as nearsightedness can be corrected surgically. The best option for most cases is to alter the shape of the cornea to allow light to enter the eye and focus properly on the retina. Although RK has been successfully performed over many decades, numerous complications have surfaced.