PRK Eye Surgery

The PRK procedure also reshapes the corneal bed to eliminate myopia, astigmatism, or hyperopia, but is fundamentally different in the way access to the corneal bed is obtained. Instead of making a corneal flap, access to the corneal bed is by scraping away the surface epithelial layer (essentially a clear skin layer over the front part of the cornea).

Laser is then applied to the cornea, and the epithelium then grows back over the ensuing three to five days. Unfortunately, during the time of epithelial regrowth, the eye can be somewhat uncomfortable, with pain, sensitivity to light, and blurry vision. These symptoms can be controlled with medication, but visual recovery is significantly slower than with LASIK.

By one month, with mild to moderate prescriptions, visual results are similar to LASIK. Uncommonly, haze can also occur in the reshaped area, and is more common with higher prescriptions. PRK is only effective for mild to moderate prescriptions, as higher prescriptions have an unacceptable regression rate and a higher chance of corneal haze.

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