Improve vision affected by corneal damage with PTK eye surgery in Sydney

By removing a very thin layer of diseased or irregular corneal tissue, PTK may improve vision and comfort in suitable patients with superficial corneal disease

Improve vision affected by corneal damage with PTK eye surgery in Sydney

By removing a very thin layer of diseased or irregular corneal tissue, PTK may improve vision and comfort in suitable patients with superficial corneal disease

With PTK eye surgery, suitable patients may experience a smoother corneal surface and clearer vision

Quickly explore how PTK works, who it may suit, and what to expect before, during, and after treatment

Who is suitable for PTK?

PTK is generally suitable for patients who suffer from anterior corneal diseases such as:

  • Damage related to a current or previous eye trauma or injury
  • Corneal Erosions
  • Cornea irregularities, Dystrophy or scarring.

You may have already trialled previous prescription eye drops and bandage contact lenses to treat your condition with minimal effect. You will first need an assessment with the eye surgeon to assess your eyes and eligibility for this procedure.

PhotoTherapeutic Keratectomy (PTK) is a form of treatment for various corneal conditions which include previous injury or other causes of corneal scarring. In some cases, it can also be used to treat breakdown of the corneal surface otherwise known as recurrent corneal erosion syndrome.

It uses an excimer laser to remove a very thin layer of abnormal or irregular tissue from the front of the cornea. The aim is to smooth the surface, improve corneal clarity, and reduce symptoms caused by superficial disease or damage.

Advantages

  • Suitable for patients with thin corneas
  • No flap created and therefore no risk of flap-related complications like detachment or displacement
  • PTK only removes a small amount of the cornea and hence less corneal thickness is removed
  • It can treat superficial corneal disease with a precise excimer laser rather than a more invasive transplant-style procedure in selected cases.

Disadvantages

  • It does not treat every cause of reduced vision, it is not mainly a refractive surgery for glasses independence, and some conditions can recur after treatment
  • Some patients may still need glasses, contact lenses, or further procedures, depending on the underlying problem and whether refractive error remains after treatment.

It is very rare for complications to occur during the procedure. But there are short term and long term side-effects that may include but are not limited to:

  • Dry eyes
  • Fluctuating vision
  • Haloes and starbursts around lights
  • Glare sensitivity
  • Infection
  • Excessive thinning of the cornea leading to the need to wear glasses, contact lenses or in rare instances a corneal graft.

Alternatives depend on the problem being treated.

They may include lubricating drops, hypertonic ointments, bandage contact lenses, superficial keratectomy, or corneal transplant procedures in more advanced cases.

If refractive error is also present, PTK may sometimes be combined with PRK.

The right option depends on whether the main issue is corneal surface disease, refractive error, or both.

Prior to surgery

  • If you wear contact lenses, you will need to be out of them for a certain time frame. Soft contact lenses are 3 days. Hard contact lenses are 3 weeks
  • Be prepared to be at the day facility half an hour before your admission to ensure all paperwork has been finalised
  • Wear comfortable, warm clothes as the laser room is set at a specific temperature and humidity to ensure ideal operating temperatures for the laser
  • A staff member will explain what to expect inside the procedure room and prepare you for the laser. You will be given a sedation tablet to relax you prior the surgery. For this reason, it is important to organise someone to accompany you home on the day.

During the procedure

  • You will come into the surgery room and will be positioned underneath the laser
  • The doctor will instil anaesthetic eye drops to provide a painless experience and a prop to hold your eyelids open
  • During the procedure, you will be asked to focus on a flashing light. The laser is then applied to your eyes in order to remove any corneal surface irregularities present. This is only a very thin layer of your corneal tissue
  • The actual PTK procedure takes about 10 minutes. Sometimes, this treatment can be used in conjunction with PRK to help improve or restore vision
  • Once the treatment is complete, the eye surgeon will instil antibiotic and steroid drops. A therapeutic contact lens will be placed into your eye to help assist with healing and comfort
  • You will then be escorted to a consulting room where you will have your post instructions explained to you. It is very important not to rub the eye after surgery as it can dislodge the contact lens. For this reason, a plastic eye shield will be given to wear at night to prevent eye rubbing whilst sleeping.

Post-operative recovery

  • You will be given prescription eye drops and instructions on when to use them. You will be required to wear a plastic shield to protect your eye from rubbing whilst sleeping. It is very important to follow the instructions your eye surgeon advises and to also attend all your follow up appointments
  • During the healing period, you will experience discomfort, minor pain, grittiness, glare sensitivity and haloes around lights. This will progressively get better as the epithelium regenerates and it’s very important to dedicate time to rest to allow for a quicker recovery
  • After 3 days, you will be required to come back to have the bandage contact lens removed. After this, your eyes may feel very dry. This is part of the healing process. Our clinic will provide preservative-free lubricants for you to use as well. It is necessary to keep the eyes adequately lubricated after your treatment
  • Most patients are able to see and return to work and normal activities after a few days. But each individual can vary with recovery time.

Clear guidance for your eye care journey

Eye treatment options can vary from person to person. We help you understand what is happening and what care may be right for you

Step 1: REACH OUT

The first step is to book an assessment so your symptoms, concerns, or vision goals can be discussed with the clinic. Give our friendly team a call or use our easy contact form to get in touch.

Step 2: WE’LL MEET

At your visit, our refractive surgeons will examine your eyes, explain the findings, and talk through the treatment options that may be appropriate for your condition and needs.

Step 3: ENJOY COMFORT

After treatment, the aim is to help you see more clearly, feel more comfortable, and manage your eye health with greater confidence. Depending on your condition and treatment plan, this may make daily life feel easier and more manageable.

Find comfort and clarity for your eyes

Contact us to discover the next step toward healthier, more comfortable vision

Hi, I’m Dr John Males

I’m the owner and principal surgeon at Envision Eye Centre, specialising in laser vision correction, cataract, and corneal surgery. With over 15 years’ experience, I’ve been involved in introducing advanced procedures such as SMILE® and laser-assisted cataract surgery in Australia. I’ve held leadership roles at St Vincent’s Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital, and I continue to contribute to teaching and research through the University of Sydney. My focus is always on delivering safe, precise, and personalised care, using the latest technology to help patients achieve the best possible visual outcomes.

Dr John Males

M.B B. Sc. (Med)(Hons) MMed (Clin Epi) FRANZCO