What is PRK Eye Surgery?

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When you hear about laser eye surgery, you might immediately think of LASIK — after all, the procedure has been sought out by over 10 million patients since its FDA approval in 1999. 

Did you know a similar surgery has been available since before LASIK? It’s called PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) and like LASIK, it’s a great option for people wanting to correct their vision and reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses.

Both surgeries involve reshaping the cornea of the eye to treat conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. There are pros and cons to both treatments, and patients should be well aware of the processes from start to finish before talking to their eye doctor about getting surgery. 

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The difference between PRK and LASIK

There is a fundamental difference between how both procedures are performed:

PRK: The outer layer of the cornea is removed entirely prior to the laser reshaping process, leaving the eye exposed. A contact lens “bandage” protects the delicate tissues during healing. 

LASIK: A thin flap is made in the cornea followed by reshaping using a laser to target the underlying tissue. While the flap eventually re-secures itself back to the eye, it will always be there. 

The goal of both surgeries is to provide clearer sight for patients and even eliminate the need for corrective lenses in some cases!

There are a few things to consider when you’re trying to decide which option is best for you. 

The Pros and Cons of PRK 

Pros

• Preserve more corneal tissue than LASIK, meaning reliable long-term stability and integrity of the eyes
• Patients with thin corneas can still get this surgery
• Safer for highly active people and athletes
• No risk of complications that can happen with a flap
• No disruption to the nerves that are involved in tear production, meaning less chance of dry eyes
• “Touch up” procedures are easier without a flap to worry about
• More comfortable procedure for patients
• Often less expensive 
• Simpler than LASIK
• Highly successful for nearly complete correction of nearsightedness
  

Cons

• Longer recovery time than LASIK, which means you’ll have to take time off work
• Must wait a week to drive
• Must avoid bright sun exposure for up to 6 weeks post-op
• Recovery can be more painful than LASIK
• Increased risk of infection in the days after surgery
• A bandage is needed to cover the cornea after the procedure (the bandage is like a contact lens)
  

If you’re still wondering which eye surgery is best for you, talk to your ophthalmologist or optometrist about the advantages and disadvantages that will impact you most. 

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Are you a candidate for PRK? 

You’ll have a thorough examination and several tests done to determine if PRK is a good fit, including testing your vision, checking for undetected eye conditions, measuring and mapping the cornea surface, and measuring the size of your pupils. 

Your doctor will be able to use this information to advise you on which laser eye surgery is best for your specific eye condition. 

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What happens during PRK surgery? 

Having any surgical procedure can seem scary, but PRK is quite simple and performed in less than 20 minutes in an outpatient surgery center without being put to sleep.

Here is what you can expect when going in for the procedure:

1. Your surgeon will numb your eyes with special anesthetic drops

2. A holder will be placed in your eyes to prevent you from blinking

3. The outer layer of your cornea (called the epithelium) will be removed with a brush, blade, laser, or liquid solution

4. The ophthalmic surgeon will reshape your cornea with a special high-tech laser

5. You’ll be given additional anti-inflammatory and antibiotic eye drops

6. A clear contact lens bandage will be placed over the eye to protect the tissues during healing

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Recovering from PRK surgery

You can expect some sensitivity for up to a week during the initial phase of recovery, so getting plenty of rest and avoiding physical activity is recommended. You’ll usually need to take a few days off of work, so plan on using sick or vacation time for your surgery. 

After PRK, direct sunlight should be avoided for around 6 weeks, so protective sunglasses are required any time you go outside, even for just a minute. This is crucial to protecting the cornea from scarring. 

Your vision will be blurry and hazy for a few days, but as healing progresses, your visual clarity will improve greatly until you’re fully healed. The bandage will be removed after around 4-5 days by the doctor. 

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Want more information? 

PRK can be a life-changing surgery for those with vision impairments caused by a range of eye conditions. At Punzal Vision, we are here to care for and support our patients that choose to have this procedure done. Dr Punzal can advise you on the benefits of laser eye surgery, so schedule an appointment to learn more today. 

Stay tuned for a follow up story as one of our own at Punzal Vision undergoes PRK surgery in the coming weeks!