PRK Laser Eye Surgery

A PRK procedure fixes refractive errors by using an excimer laser to reshape the cornea. First, your surgeon will gently remove the surface cells (epithelium) on the surface of the cornea. Then, using a cool excimer laser, your surgeon reshapes your cornea to correct your vision.

This type of refractive surgery has identical outcomes to LASIK. The vast majority of patients who receive PRK get 20/20 vision without glasses or contacts. PRK is a better alternative to LASIK for many patients who have thin or irregularly shaped corneas, who have pre-existing chronic dry eye, or those who perform sports with a lot of direct contact to the eyes (ex: Boxers, Ultimate Fighting Champions, etc).

Those with nearsightedness, also called myopia, may be able to see near objects clearly, but experience blurriness when trying to see objects that are at a distance. The PRK procedure can help make distant objects clear.

Hyperopia, or farsightedness, causes individuals to clearly see distant objects, but experience blurry vision when trying to focus on objects that are close. Individuals with severe farsightedness may also experience blurry vision when trying to focus on distant objects. Both types of hyperopia can cause headaches and eye strain. PRK addresses all of the above symptoms of farsightedness.

Individuals with astigmatism may be unable to see objects clearly at any distance. This can result in the appearance of a comet-like flare around lights, as well as headaches and eye strain. PRK corrects the shape of the cornea, thereby eliminating the symptoms of this condition.

Right after your PRK procedure is complete, you will likely notice that you have very clear vision. But you should know that after a PRK procedure, it takes a week for your cornea’s surface cells, or epithelium, to grow back.

During this time, your vision will likely worsen. You shouldn’t worry about this, as blurry vision is very common in the first one or two weeks following surgery. Your sight gradually improves in the few weeks after the procedure.

It takes anywhere from two to six weeks for the cells to smooth and allow for clear vision. It can take up to three months for clear vision after PRK.

Follow-up is performed the day after your surgery. Another follow-up will be scheduled for between four and six days after the first.. At this second visit, we will monitor your healing and remove the contact lens. You will also be prescribed a topical non-steroidal drop, steroid drop, and antibiotic after your treatment.

After your first and second follow-up appointments, you’ll be scheduled to return two weeks after the procedure, and then one month. After these appointments, you’ll need to return three and six months, and then one year after your procedure.

LASEK is a type of PRK where alcohol is used to loosen the surface cells of the cornea prior to removing them. LASEK is used when patients have had previous LASIK with a corneal flap. After 3 to 4 years, it is not safe to lift a LASIK flap because of the risk of cells growing under the flap (epithelial ingrowth).

It is also not safe to attempt to recut a LASIK flap years later because of the risk of creating irregularity by cutting through the previous flap. The only safe way to enhance LASIK with laser vision correction is with LASEK. With LASEK, the alcohol is used to loosen the underlying epithelial cells so that the initial flap is not disrupted.

Healing after LASEK is identical to PRK, although LASEK patients may have more discomfort due to the alcohol.