PRK is a laser eye surgery where the laser ablates tissue on the top layer of the cornea. During a PRK procedure, the outer layer (epithelium) of the cornea (the clear window in the front of the eye) is removed and your cornea is then reshaped using a cool excimer laser. The difference between PRK and LASIK is that no flap is created during a PRK procedure.
PRK can treat myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. The treatment takes about 5 minutes per eye, and it’s a quick outpatient procedure. Most patients have reported that the procedure is painless.
PRK can be very beneficial for those with thin corneas and/or a higher prescription. It can also be the most suitable procedure for those who participate in contact sports or who have professions that run a risk of eye injury (MMA fighters, boxers). PRK is often used as a strategy to enhance a previous LASIK patient’s distance vision.
If there is a downside to PRK, it is the healing time. Patients often are blurry for up to three weeks. Doctors often advise that patients proceed with PRK one eye at a time. A clear contact lens is often worn for a short period of time (5-6 days) after the procedure as an aid in healing.