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Will RK survive PRK?
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Even the dinosaurs lasted for millions of years. Contrary to rumor, experts say that radial keratotomy is not an endangered species about to be driven from the surgical landscape by that flashier creature, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).
Refractive surgeons with experience in both incisional and laser surgery say they will continue to perform RK, at least for certain indications, for the foreseeable future.
Optometrists who comanage refractive surgery patients, experts interviewed for this article suggest, should seek out surgeons who can perform a variety of incisional procedures and who also have access to a refractive laser.
The future of refractive surgery, as seen through the eyes of the nation's top refractive surgeons, is described in RK, PRK, both, neither? .
For a "how to" on treating refractive surgery complications, see Troubleshooting PRK .