PRK Eye Surgery in Iran

Why Should You Come to Iran For Your PRK Eye Surgery?

Iran has been one of the first destinations for both medical and cosmetic surgeries in recent years. There are many reasons why patients choose Iran. One of the most important factors is the low prices of these surgeries. Many people may want to undergo these operations including PRK eye surgery, but their budget is not enough. Therefore, this country will be a good option for them to have their treatment at such a low price. By choosing this country, they will be able to have effective treatment while saving a noticeable amount of money!

Another important reason is that the best ophthalmologists and eye specialists are settled in Iran. They have completed their education at top universities in the world such as Oxford, and Harvard, and also, they have had so many successful eye surgeries in their career. 

In advanced hospitals, patients are presented with excellent quality services a nd facilities. Because of the trustworthy doctors and these high-quality services, a high number of eye surgeries, including LASIK or PRK get done every year with the high satisfying results.

If we want to summarize the reasons why patients choose Iran instead of other countries, they would be:

1.Low cost of PRK in Iran

2.Well-experienced doctors and eye specialists

3.The high number of PRK in Iran

4.Low cost of accommodation in Iran

Before you do any kind of eye operation, you better consult a well-experienced doctor. Make sure you feel free enough to discuss your concerns, and desired expectations, and ask questions. Afterward, your doctor will choose the best method of treatment based on your needs and expectations.

Cost of PRK Eye Surgery in Iran

The cost of PRK eye surgery in Iran depends on some factors. The doctor or eye specialist you choose, the hospital or clinic you want to have your treatment there, the type of hotel you are going to stay for a few days in Iran, and other things will determine the exact costs. In general, a PRK surgery price is around $900 to $1,600 for both eyes. This range of prices is so affordable compared to other countries. 

For example, this operation costs about $4,000 in the United States, $1,500 in Europe, $800 in Turkey, and $1,000 in Thailand. The same procedure will be presented in Iran at a lower cost. Undoubtedly, if you aim to lower the price, it’s better to ask a less experienced ophthalmologist to do this procedure for you.

Ermateb is a facilitator in the medical tourism industry located at Iran University of Medical Sciences. We will provide you with the best eye surgeons and hospitals at an unbelievably low cost to get your operation and also do all the arrangements for your travel to this country.

If you decide to have this surgery, you can get in touch with us via an online form on the website, or you can contact us via WhatsApp. After that, Ermateb’s coordinator guides you through the next process of your treatment. Our consultant may ask for your information and records may be required, and now you can plan your trip to this country. Alongside your treatment, you can enjoy your travel by visiting the cultural and historical attractions of this country. We will help you to get the best services you can have during your trip to this country.

Advantages and Disadvantages of PRK Eye Surgery in Iran

Like any other surgery, this method of eye operation has its advantages and disadvantages. 

The pros of PRK eye surgery are:

1.Appropriate for those with a thin cornea

2.Lower risk of compromised corneal thickness

3.Highly accurate for so many cases of nearsightedness (myopia)

4.Shorter operation time than LASIK

5.Simpler than LASIK

6.High chances of success (95%)

7.Achieves better vision

The cons of PRK eye surgery are:

1.Patients require to wait for a few days to notice the eyesight improvement

2.Higher risk of haze, inflammation, and infection

3.Some patients may still require glasses for certain activities

4.Slower recovery process and more discomfort during the first few days of this period compared to LASIK

5.Less predictable outcomes than LASIK

6.Risk of dry eyes

7.May result in worse vision than before

If we want to compare the LASIK to PRK eye surgery, we can say that during LASIK operation, on the outer cornea layer, a flap is made and then replaced and left to heal without sutures. While in the PRK procedure, the epithelial layer is eliminated. The cells regenerate later to create a new corneal flap.

PRK Vs Lasik; Similarities and Differences 

A study of Lippincott says in this regard:

Both of them are kinds of laser eye surgery techniques that aim at correcting refractive errors to make vision better. The PRK technique was developed before the LASIK technique, but this does not prove that the PRK is old-fashioned. Nowadays, eye specialists use both procedures widely. 

They work in different ways. In PRK, a surgeon will cut away a thin layer of the cornea and then use a laser to reshape the layers beneath and correct irregularities. In this procedure, both eyes can be operated on in 1 session. On the other hand, in a LASIK operation, the surgeon will use a blade to make a small flap in the cornea, which he/she raises to reshape the layers beneath with the use of a laser and then puts it back in place.

Both of them are used to treat farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism by reshaping the cornea of the eye using tiny blades or lasers.

The major difference between them is that in a PRK operation, a surgeon permanently eliminates a thin layer of the cornea but in a LASIK operation he/she makes a flap to achieve the underlying layer of the cornea and fix the imperfections and then places it back to heal.

In terms of outcomes and recovery, both methods provide great outcomes but PRK needs more time for recovery and it takes more time (like six months or more) for the patient to see the last results.

There is no evidence that PRK is more painful than LASIK. Both of these procedures make patients have pain during the first 24 hours post-operative. Because PRK eliminates the outer corneal layer, there is a greater area of the cornea to work with. This is good for individuals with a thin cornea who would otherwise be at risk of LASIK. PRK operation is also usually recommended for individuals with chronic dry eyes.

Who Are The Good Candidates for Having a PRK Eye Surgery in Iran?

After you consult with your doctor, they will decide on what procedure is better for your condition. The doctor will evaluate your eye and may ask about your lifestyle. Some individuals are better candidates for PRK and some other people are better candidates for LASIK. If the cornea has an irregular shape, PRK operation might not be appropriate for you. Some individuals have a cone-shaped cornea due to keratoconus disorder. Reshaping it with an excimer laser doesn’t give positive outcomes. The cornea must not have a drastically irregular shape even if it may not be perfect.

The good candidate must be at least 18 years old with a stable vision. Individuals who are younger than this age are not suitable candidates. If the patient has been having a fluctuating vision for a while, they should treat that first. Diabetic individuals have a lot of limitations with surgeries. If the patient is a diabetic, he/she may have issues with healing after the operation. 

Pregnant or lactating mothers are not good candidates for PRK surgery. They have fluctuating hormones and are predisposed to some other conditions like hypertension, anemia, and hyperemesis gravidarum. They may interfere with the recovery process after the operation. During this procedure, a strong anesthetic medication will be used, and after the surgery also, strong medications are given to decrease inflammation and pain which may not be good for the baby. 

Generally, you are a good candidate if you:

1.Are above 18 years 

2.Are in good general health

3.Aren't nursing

4.Have healthy eyes

5.Don't have underlying diseases such as cataracts that can affect operation or healing

What are the merits and demerits of PRK eye surgery?

The merits of PRK eye surgery are:

1.Appropriate for those with a thin cornea

2. Lower risk of compromised corneal thickness

3. Highly accurate for so many cases of nearsightedness (myopia)

4.Shorter operation time than LASIK

5. Simpler than LASIK

6. High chances of success (95%)

7. Achieves better vision.

And the demerits are:

1.Patients require to wait for a few days to notice the eyesight improvement

2.Higher risk of haze, inflammation, and infection

3. Some patients may still require glasses for certain activities

4.Slower recovery process and more discomfort during the first few days of this period compared to LASIK

5. Less predictable outcomes than LASIK

6. Risk of dry eyes

7. This may result in worse vision than before.

Recovery Process Of PRK Eye Surgery in Iran

After a PRK surgery, a surgeon applies a special contact lens as a bandage to help the eye heal. You will have mild discomfort, watering eyes, and irritation for 1 to 3 days and pain that can be controlled or stopped by over-the-counter pain medicines or pain-killing eye drops.

Make sure to arrange for somebody to drive you home following the operation. You might require to take a few days off to just relax and take plenty of rest. Avoid strenuous activities for at least 1 week after the surgery.

You may have blurry vision for the first 4-5 days. As your cornea heals, your vision will be better, but it takes 1 month or more before you can benefit from the full outcomes. The doctor may prescribe some eye drops to be used during the recovery process following PRK, including anti-inflammatory drops, antibiotic drops, and artificial tears for eye dryness.

Eye specialists recommend that patients wear sunglasses for a few days when going outside since sun exposure may cause corneal scarring and vision issues following surgery. You can drive as soon as you can see well, but not on the day you had the surgery.