Reeve Woods Eye Center - PRK Eye Surgery

Excellent personalized care, use of advanced technology and equipment, and extensive surgical experience are the main reasons why so many patients come to see Drs. Reeve and Woods for their PRK or LASIK treatment.

PRK and LASIK is a refractive surgery that changes the shape of the cornea enabling a person to see without the use of glasses or contact lenses. The cornea is the part of the eye that focuses light to create an image on the retina. When light reaches a curved surface such as the cornea or the lens inside the eye, it bends. This bending of light is called refraction. More often than not, the shape of a person’s cornea is not perfect, which prohibits the light from focusing correctly on the retina. When this occurs, the eye is referred to as near-sighted, far-sighted or astigmatic. These problems are called refractive errors.

Drs. Reeve and Woods are trained in reducing and eliminating these refractive errors, so you can see without using glasses or contact lenses. They both perform many types of refractive surgeries and are therefore able to custom tailor the perfect procedure for each individual patient.

Why PRK?

There are a variety of reasons why people choose Laser Vision Eye Surgery. For many it is a wish to simplify their life. A desire to wake up in the morning and see the alarm clock clearly. To no longer be dependent on contacts or glasses while playing sports or swimming. To save money on endless contact lenses and the products needed every day to wear them. To read a menu in a restaurant without reading glasses. To be able to see better, anytime…all the time.

What happens during the procedure?

To begin the procedure, you will first relax in a comfortable, reclining chair. Your doctor will place a few numbing drops in your eye and will use a lid-retainer-device to gently hold your eyelids open during the procedure. You will focus on a blinking light. The doctor then removes the surface epithelium from the cornea, and and the laser correction is performed. The treatment lasts approximately 60 seconds, after which the cornea is covered with a protective contact lens to promote healing and comfort. Most patients then go home and sleep.

Although vision generally improves dramatically right away, it is normal for some patients to experience small vision fluctuation during the first several weeks after their procedure. Typically, you will be scheduled for a follow-up appointment in our Chico, CA office the next day and again in about a week.  

Wavefront Laser Treatment: Highest Quality Vision and Safest Procedure

No two pairs of eyes are alike. The standard PRK and LASIK procedure performed by most doctors corrects “lower order aberrations” such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Although this may correct 90% of visual imperfections, 10% of visual imperfections are “higher order aberrations” that can cause problems such as halos, glare and poor night vision. Using the newest VISX Wavefront™ technology, Drs. Reeve and Woods are able to correct both lower and higher aberrations, which result in the best vision and quality of life for you.

Common LASIK Questions

Am I a good candidate for PRK or LASIK?

If you suffer from farsightedness, nearsightedness or astigmatism, you may be a candidate. If you are over 18 years old and in good health with no history of glaucoma or cataracts, PRK or LASIK may be a viable option for you. Every patient is unique and our surgeons methodically examine each individual to determine the correct vision procedure. To identify if PRK or LASIK is appropriate for you, schedule an appointment for a consultation.

What are the risks?

As with any elective surgery, there are risks that are dependent upon the patient. Reeve Woods Eye Center strives to provide excellence in care and will review all risks and rewards prior to your procedure, providing you with an opportunity to make an educated decision that is right for you.

Does it hurt?

Patients of Reeve Woods Eye Center are given a topical anesthetic to numb the eye, so there is no pain. During the procedure itself, patients may experience a sensation of pressure, and momentary fading of vision, however, the laser does not cause any pain or discomfort.

After PRK surgery , patients may experience pain or a mild burning sensation which normally subsides in 2 to 3 days after the procedure.

How long does the procedure take?

The PRK or LASIK procedure takes about 10 minutes and is relatively painless. Prior to PRK or LASIK eye surgery, most patients are given a small dose of valium simply to help them relax.

Why choose Reeve Woods Eye Center for PRK?

Excellent personalized care and the comfort of knowing our practice has performed tens of thousands of successful eye surgeries over the years is what sets us apart from other centers.  Both doctors of our Laser Vision Correction Center have extensive experience.  Both doctors take tremendous pride in the quality of their surgical outcomes and will do everything possible to ensure that you have the best possible visual result.  Thousands of satisfied patients have trusted their eyes to Drs. Reeve and Woods.

When selecting a LASIK doctor, the most important things to consider are experience, technology, safety, and comfort. At Reeve Woods Eye Center, each LASIK doctor is committed to providing the highest-quality care. Our experienced surgeons, Dr. Reeve and Dr. Woods meet personally with each patient to perform thorough pre-operative testing and ensure maximum comfort and safety throughout treatment. We also utilize advanced wavefront technology to personalize your vision correction procedure, and our doctors perform all follow-up care to maximize your recovery and visual outcomes.

Trust the doctors that other health professionals trust, visit Reeve Woods Eye Center today for a LASIK consultation.  Call (530) 899-2244 or schedule online!