What Is Superficial Keratectomy?
A superficial keratectomy, sometimes shortened to “Super K,” is a type of eye surgery that works to smooth out or take out the anterior (outer) layer of the corneal tissue, the epithelium. This process could be necessary for some people who have specific eye conditions or have endured corneal trauma. Apart from worsening vision, these symptoms could additionally result in chronic dry eye, severe discomfort, or a gritty, grain-like sensation in the eye. At Focal Point Vision in San Antonio, TX, our board-certified ophthalmologists perform this procedure with the highest level of precision and care to enhance your eye health and restore your overall comfort.
What Are The Benefits Of Superficial Keratectomy?
A superficial keratectomy procedure at Focal Point Vision offers a wide range of great benefits to improve your vision, including:
- Correcting corneal defects
- Improving astigmatism
- Enhancing eye comfort
- Reducing inflammation
- Preventing progressive scarring
- Can be performed alongside other procedures (cataract surgery, etc.)
- Quick, easy, and comfortable outpatient procedure
How Is A Superficial Keratectomy Done?
A superficial keratectomy is performed on an outpatient basis and utilizes mild anesthesia. This is a fast and effective procedure that is typically finished within several minutes. To begin, a member of our team will fully numb your eyes using special drops. As soon as your eyes are desensitized, we will place a device over the eye to keep you from blinking. We will then use fine instruments to remove or smoothen out the tissue of the epithelium. After this, we will carefully remove any remaining damaged tissue. At the conclusion of your procedure, we will place a bandage contact lens over the eye for protection and to aid in the healing process.
Superficial Keratectomy FAQ
Is superficial keratectomy safe?
Yes, it is. Multiple clinical studies have found that superficial keratectomy is a safe and effective procedure to treat a variety of conditions to reduce blurry vision, enhance visual acuity, remove corneal scarring, reduce corneal astigmatism, and more.
Is Super K (superficial keratectomy) painful?
No, not at all. Before the procedure begins, your eyes will be numbed with anesthetic drops to keep you comfortable. Most people only feel a slight sense of pressure, if they feel anything at all. After your procedure, during the recovery phase, some discomfort is normal, which is sometimes compared to having something in your eye. This discomfort typically resolves in a few days.
How long is recovery after superficial keratectomy?
Recovery times can vary for each patient, but typically, most recover in about 3 – 7 days. During this time, you will be given antibiotic eye drops to use. Vision in the treated eye may be blurry for a few days or weeks. Complete healing may take about 6 – 8 weeks.
What Can I Expect After Superficial Keratectomy?
Before your superficial keratectomy procedure, you’ll be given a prescription for medicated eye drops and antibiotics. You will need to have these filled so you can begin using them immediately after your procedure is finished. We will give you detailed aftercare instructions on how to use your eye drops, when to take your antibiotics, and more.
After the procedure, you’ll wear a bandage contact lens to protect the treated eye and speed healing. When the numbing eye drops wear off, patients may experience minor discomfort similar to having something in their eye. This sensation typically resolves in a few days. Some patients may experience light sensitivity, hazy or blurry vision, watery eyes, and eye redness during the first stage of their recovery. This is normal and expected. You will be scheduled for follow-up examinations to check the progress of your healing. It is very important to follow all care instructions and attend follow-up examinations to achieve optimal outcomes. In general, many patients can experience improved vision in about 2 – 4 weeks, with full healing reached in about 6 – 8 weeks.
Am I A Candidate For Super K?
Our team of board-certified ophthalmologists at Focal Point Vision has successfully enhanced the eye health and sight of countless patients with anterior corneal damage. The superficial keratectomy is a quick and effective treatment that can decrease your negative symptoms and improve your life. To find out if this treatment is the solution you need for your eye struggles, get in touch with one of our offices in San Antonio, TX.
