PRK

Photo-Refractive Keratectomy or PRK treats refractive errors by removing tissue from the surface of the cornea. The surgeon first removes the epithelium, a thin layer of protective skin that covers the cornea, then the laser is applied to the underlying layers to reshape the surface of the cornea. The procedure only takes a few minutes. By altering the shape or placement of the laser beam, the cornea is made flatter to treat near-sightedness, steeper to treat farsightedness and/or more spherical to treat astigmatism.

Photo-Refractive Keratectomy or PRK treats refractive errors by removing tissue from the surface of the cornea. The surgeon first removes the epithelium, a thin layer of protective skin that covers the cornea, then the laser is applied to the underlying layers to reshape the surface of the cornea. The procedure only takes a few minutes. By altering the shape or placement of the laser beam, the cornea is made flatter to treat near-sightedness, steeper to treat farsightedness and/or more spherical to treat astigmatism.

Is PRK Permanent?

Like LASIK, the results from your surgery are permanent; however, laser eye surgery does not prevent your eyes from aging. Over time, if your vision changes from aging, the results from PRK may begin to fade. If this happens, you can have PRK again to recorrect these changes.

How Long Does it Take to Recover from PRK Eye Surgery?

PRK Eye Surgery tends to have a slower recovery period when compared to LASIK. Your eye may take 3-4 days to heal, but by 4-5 days, your vision should clear up. Expect to wait several weeks to a month to see the full results of your surgery. Your vision may continue to improve for the next 3-6 months as well.