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PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy), a type of Excimer Laser Vision Correction, was the first vision correction surgery procedure to gain FDA approval in 1995. Since then, this procedure has helped millions of people see the world more clearly. At Gordon Schanzlin New Vision Institute, our eye surgeons perform PRK at our state-of-the-art facility in La Jolla.
When most people think of vision correction surgery, they think of LASIK. LASIK is used to correct refractive errors by reshaping the cornea. However, not all patients are suitable candidates for LASIK surgery. For many, PRK is an ideal alternative to LASIK.1
PRK surgery is also a procedure that reshapes the cornea to improve a patient’s vision. However, while LASIK involves the creation of a corneal flap before reshaping, PRK involves the removal of the outermost layer of the cornea before it is reshaped.2 Because of this, the recovery period after PRK is slightly longer than that of LASIK and patients need to wait longer to realize their optimal vision. Still, PRK and LASIK have very similar outcomes and rates of patient satisfaction.3
Through reshaping the cornea to improve the way light is refracted, PRK can treat refractive errors including:
PRK is an outpatient procedure, and there is little our patients need to do to prepare. The first step in the PRK process, of course, is a thorough examination by a skilled ophthalmologist from our team. Once you are pronounced a good candidate for PRK, your procedure will be scheduled.
On the day of your PRK procedure, you should arrive at our practice without any makeup, lotions, or creams on your face. You will not be permitted to drive yourself home after the procedure, so you should make arrangements for a friend or family member to drive you to and from your appointment.
Though the PRK procedure itself only takes minutes, you should plan to be at our practice for a few hours on the day of your vision correction surgery.
Before beginning the PRK procedure, your eye surgeon will apply anesthetic eye drops to numb your eyes. A device will be used to hold your eyes open and to prevent you from blinking.
Once your eyes have been numbed, your surgeon will remove the outer layer (epithelial layer) of your cornea to expose the underlying corneal tissue. Next, an excimer laser will be used to reshape the cornea, making it possible for your eye to properly focus light onto the retina.
Following PRK, you will have a temporary bandage contact lens placed over your eye so that your epithelial cells can regenerate. You’ll be given a final check by your surgeon after briefly relaxing in a recovery room, then you will be free to be driven home.
Because the outer layer of the cornea is removed during PRK, this procedure has a slightly longer recovery period than LASIK. For the first 3-5 days after PRK, you will need to keep the bandage contact lens in place to allow your epithelial cells to regenerate.
You may feel some mild discomfort, itching, or burning as your eyes heal from PRK: this is normal and to be expected. Please do your best not to touch or rub your eyes as they heal.
After PRK, most of our patients take 2-3 days off of work to recover. You will attend a follow-up appointment with your surgeon, and will be cleared to return to non-strenuous physical activity within a week or two. You should notice your optimal vision correction results in about a month.
You should not experience any pain during your PRK procedure, as your eyes will be numbed with anesthetic eye drops before the surgeon begins. You may feel some mild discomfort during the healing process, but this will be manageable with over-the-counter pain medications.
While any surgical procedure is associated with some risk factors, PRK is generally considered to be a safe procedure. Risks associated with PRK, while rare, may include:
Yes. In fact, most of our patients prefer to undergo PRK on both eyes during a single session, as this consolidates their recovery time.
The best way to determine whether PRK is the ideal procedure for you is to consult with one of our ophthalmologists. In general, candidates for PRK:
At Gordon Schanzlin New Vision Institute, your eye health is of paramount importance to us. Our expert surgeons offer a number of laser refractive surgery procedures designed to safely help you see more clearly. If you would like to pursue clearer vision, potentially without the need for eyeglasses or contacts, and have been told you aren’t a good candidate for LASIK, PRK may be the ideal solution for you. To learn more about this procedure and the options available to you, please contact us to schedule a consultation with an experienced ophthalmologist.
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1 Somani SN, Moshirfar M, Patel BC. Photorefractive Keratectomy. [Updated 2021 Feb 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549887/. Accessed July 7, 2021.
2 Cleveland Clinic. What is photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) eye surgery? Available: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/8596-photorefractive-keratectomy-prk-eye-surgery. Accessed July 7, 2021.
3 Hashmani N, Hashmani S, Ramesh P, et al. A Comparison of Visual Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction Between Photorefractive Keratectomy and Femtosecond Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. Cureus. 2017;9(9):e1641. Published 2017 Sep 1. doi:10.7759/cureus.1641. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5665689/. Accessed July 7, 2021.
4 Spadea L, Giovannetti F. Main Complications of Photorefractive Keratectomy and their Management. Clin Ophthalmol. 2019;13:2305-2315. Published 2019 Nov 27. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S233125. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6885542/. Accessed July 7, 2021.
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The doctors at Gordon Schanzlin New Vision Institute have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
