How PRK Surgery Works

How PRK Surgery Works

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a procedure in which the surface of the cornea is reshaped using an Excimer laser. This process removes only 5-10% of the thickness of the cornea for mild to moderate myopia - about the thickness of 1 to 3 human hairs.

Learn more about how PRK surgery works.

PRK vs Traditional LASIK

PRK does not create a corneal flap utilizing the microkeratome, and therefore, the protective superficial layers of the cornea must heal post-surgery. This generally means that patients who undergo PRK surgery will require significantly more recovery time than LASIK patients in order to achieve their best vision.

PRK eye surgery may be used to treat myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), or astigmatism. The outcomes of LASIK and PRK are quite comparable at 6 months after surgery. But with PRK surgery, there is a greater risk of scarring (haze) and unpredictable healing of the cornea. The risk of infection is also slightly higher with PRK than with LASIK, although infections following either procedure are rare. Many surgeons prefer PRK surgery for patients with larger pupils or thin corneas.

Orgins of PRK Surgery

PRK was invented in the early '80s. The first FDA approval of a PRK laser was in 1995, but the procedure was practiced in other countries for years prior.

After PRK

Your vision may be blurry for the first few days after your PRK treatment as the corneal surface heals. Avoid rubbing your eye (your doctor will tell you how long). You will probably wear a special "bandage" contact lens, use antibiotic eye drops for a few days, and apply anti-inflammatory eye drops for several weeks.