Phototherapeutic Keratectomy

PTK: An Alternative to LASIK

Not all patients who would like to correct their vision are candidates for LASIK Laser Vision Correction. For those who are not LASIK candidates, Whitsett Vision Group is proud to offer alternative treatments that may be better options for them. Phototherapeutic Keratectomy, or PTK eye surgery, is an excellent alternative treatment for patients that have refractive errors, but may not be the best candidate for LASIK. PTK and LASIK are very similar procedures, however they do have differences that we discuss below.

What is PTK?

PTK is a laser vision correction procedure that smooths out the surface of the cornea.

​​​​​​​During the procedure, an excimer laser is used to reshape the surface of the cornea, removing some corneal tissue. The reshaping of the cornea changes the way the eye is able to focus, correcting the patients vision problems.

PTK Recovery

After the PTK procedure is complete, your surgeon will place a bandage contact lens on the eye, which will allow the epithelium to heal, and help reduce eye irritation. This contact lens will be removed by your surgeon after a few days.

In the week following your procedure, you might feel some discomfort or irritation. Your visual acuity may fluctuate, and it is common to feel sensitive to light. You should be able to perform most of your regular activities, such as driving, work, and chores around the house. It can take up to 6 months to achieve your best visual acuity, but most patients notice an immediate improvement in their vision.

​​​​​​​You will have several post-operative appointments in the weeks and months after your procedure to ensure your eyes are healing properly, and your visual acuity is progressing as expected.

PTK versus LASIK

Like LASIK, PTK eye surgery corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. It also treats higher order aberrations, which can affect the quality of vision.

Because PTK does not create a corneal flap like LASIK does, it may be a better treatment option for patients in higher risk careers, such as law enforcement, pilots, members of the military, and athletes such as boxers or martial artists. ASA may also be a good option for patients with thinner corneas, or significant myopic prescriptions.

​​​​​​​At your free consultation, our doctors will work with you to determine if PTK is a good option for you.

Cost of PTK

At Whitsett Vision Group, the cost of PTK is the same as LASIK. Since PTK is also considered an elective surgery, most insurance companies do not cover the cost of the procedure. You can, however, use your Health Savings Account or Flex Spending account to help cover the cost of your procedure.

​​​​​​​We also offer financing options, with approved credit, through Care Credit, to all of our surgical patients. Learn more by contacting our refractive counselors today. You can also visit CareCredit.com, or apply online for your CareCredit® account today.