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Disclaimer

This website is only for basic information. It is not to be considered medical advice or a substitute for obtaining your own medical consultation, during which you will be informed also about possible risks, side effects and restrictions of refractive & cataract surgery. Not all treatment options are approved or offered in every country and approved labeling and instructions may vary from one country to another. This site is also not intended for patients and healthcare providers residing in the United States of America and Japan.

First performed in the 1980s, Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) was one of the first procedures to use an excimer laser to correct refractive errors. It is still performed today to improve the vision of patients with certain conditions, despite the availability of more advanced techniques such as Lenticule Extraction with ZEISS SMILE or LASIK. The treatment can correct most refractive errors, including near- and far-sightedness, as well as astigmatism. Discover the pros and cons of PRK here.

Can PRK correct my vision?

Discover if your prescription qualifies for PRK laser vision correction

PRK can correct most refractive errors, including near- and far-sightedness, as well as astigmatism. It is sometimes the preferred choice for patients with thinner corneas or those who want to avoid post-op complications caused by the flap created during LASIK.

What does the PRK procedure look like?

Does PRK hurt?

Anaesthetic drops are used to numb the eye before PRK surgery. The procedure normally takes around 15 minutes per eye. PRK is an outpatient procedure with no overnight stay needed, but post-op pain might be higher compared to more advanced procedures.

What risks are involved with PRK?

Potential post-op side effects and complications

As with any type of surgical intervention, there are risks and side effects associated with the PRK treatment. Many side effects, such as glares, halos, or ghosting, are temporary and disappear after your eye has fully healed. Your eye doctor will monitor you regularly to ensure any potential complications are identified and dealt with early.

Does recovering from PRK take a long time?

Post-op care and healing processes

Typically, recovering from PRK surgery takes longer than other types of laser eye procedures because the corneal epithelium needs time to regenerate and heal. However, vision should take about a month to gradually improve, and most patients achieve visual stability within three to six months after PRK surgery. Overall, the vision should stabilise within three to five months.

Is PRK suitable for astigmatism?

What degree of astigmatism can PRK correct?

With astigmatism, your cornea is more oval in shape and so distorts or blurs your vision. PRK can be used to correct the most cases of corneal astigmatism. However, if your astigmatism is caused by some corneal disorders, you will probably not be a suitable candidate for PRK surgery.

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Learn more about alternative laser vision correction solutions.

ZEISS SMILE

LASIK

Discover how laser eye surgeries compare

Treatment comparison

PRK

To find out more about PRK and your personal suitability, don’t hesitate to talk to an eye doctor that offers PRK.

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    This website is only for basic information. It is not to be considered medical advice or a substitute for obtaining your own medical consultation, during which you will be informed also about possible risks, side effects and restrictions of refractive & cataract surgery. Not all treatment options are approved or offered in every country and approved labeling and instructions may vary from one country to another. This site is also not intended for patients and healthcare providers residing in the United States of America and Japan.