PRK procedure used to be the more common refractive correction than LASIK. But it cannot be determined which one is a better procedure because each procedure has advantages over the other. LASIK patients suffer less discomfort and gain good vision more quickly. PRK patients vision is gradual improve much slower (a few days or months). PRK is more preferable for patients with thin cornea or larger pupils.

The different between these two procedures is that LASIK surgeon uses microkeratome laser or blade to create a corneal flap, folded it, treat the inner cornea then reposition the flap. While PRK surgery reshape the inner cornea by removing outer cornea layer (epithelium) at the same time. Patient have to wear bandage soft contact lenses until the outer cornea layer are regenerated which make PRK patient recover slower than LASIK.

PRK can be used to treat nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism.
If you are interesting in PRK, you have to consult your doctor to determine whether you are a good candidate or not. The doctor will analyze your eye with a topographer to identify your corneal shape in order to select a proper refractive correction methodology.

PRK laser reshaping

PRK tissue regenerate and recover

PRK after finish

During the PRK, doctor will give you anesthetic drops which will numb the eye and prevent pain. An instrument will be placed to hold the eye lids to prevent you from blinking. The laser will be applied to remove outer cornea and reshape the inner cornea which took less than a minute in most case. Patient can leave the office immediately, right after the doctor give you a bandage contact lens and antibiotic and pain relief eye drops.

Patient with PRK laser eye surgery recovery time may not longer than 6 months. Every patient will need to be re-evaluated the next day and the other day as the doctor request. Patient can remove the bandage contact lens within 3 days once the doctor tell that the outer layer of your corneal has been healed. You can expect discomfort during these days. For the next 3 months, patients will be required to use eye drops to help in healing. Some patients may require additional medications up to 6 months. This depends on how great your refractive error is.

PRK laser eye surgery recovery time may not fast as LASIK, but the final results of these two procedures are the same. Typically surgeon will not treat both eyes at the same time but they can.