Prokera® Eye Treatment: A Complete Patient Guide

If your doctor at Green Eye Harlem has recommended Prokera®, you are on your way to faster healing and long-term relief for your ocular surface condition. We have put together this guide to help you understand exactly what the device is, how it works, and what you can expect before, during, and after your treatment.

What is Prokera?

Prokera is an FDA-cleared therapeutic device that acts as a biological corneal bandage. It is made from cryopreserved amniotic membrane tissue, which is secured within a thin, flexible polycarbonate ring. This tissue contains powerful natural anti-inflammatory and anti-scarring properties that actively promote cellular regeneration.

While traditional treatments like artificial tears only manage symptoms, Prokera addresses the root cause of the damage to help your eye heal itself. We commonly use it to treat advanced dry eye syndrome, keratitis, corneal scarring, and erosions.

The Treatment Process: What to Expect

The entire process is minimally invasive and performed right here in our office.

1. The Insertion Process

Placing the device is quick and completely painless. Your eye doctor will apply numbing drops to your eye to ensure your comfort. The Prokera device is then gently placed onto your eye, much like a large contact lens. The entire procedure takes only a few minutes.

2. The Healing Period (Days 1 to 3)

For optimal healing, the device typically remains in your eye for 1 to 3 days. During this time, the amniotic membrane gradually dissolves, delivering healing proteins and growth factors directly into your eye tissue. To help keep the device in place and improve your comfort, your doctor may use a small piece of surgical tape to partially close your eyelid.

3. The Removal

Once the treatment period is complete, you will return to our office. Your doctor will simply lift the flexible ring out of your eye. As the membrane has already dissolved and done its healing work, the removal is fast and painless. Many patients experience significant relief from their original symptoms almost immediately, with continued improvement over the following weeks.

Prokera Aftercare: Do's and Dont's

To get the most out of your treatment and ensure the device stays safely in place, please adhere to the following guidelines during your 1 to 3 day recovery window:

• Do take naps and rest your eyes; keeping your eyes closed speeds up the initial adjustment period.

• Do gently clean away morning eye discharge using a clean, warm, and wet washcloth.

• Do use over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen if you experience mild discomfort.

• Do continue using any specific eye drops or medications explicitly prescribed by your doctor.

• Don't rub your eyes or touch the device with your fingers.

• Don't drive, operate heavy machinery, or perform tasks requiring clear vision and depth perception.

• Don't squeeze your eyes shut or blink forcefully.

• Don't swim, use a hot tub, or submerge your face in water (you may shower, but keep your eyes tightly closed and face away from the water stream).
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Frequently Asked Questions

A Quick Note on Symptoms

Because Prokera is a physical device resting on your eye, you may notice some temporary changes while it is in place. It is completely normal to experience cloudy vision in the treated eye, mild watering or redness, morning eye discharge, or a slight "foreign body" sensation or awareness of the ring.

While rare, if you experience any severe, sudden, or escalating eye pain, excessive eyelid swelling, a sudden shower of black dots in your vision, or if the device becomes dislodged, please reach out to us right away via our contact page.