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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.

Man smiling outdoors in a city environment, representing clarity and confidence following PRK laser vision treatment.
Laser Vision correction

PRK

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 farsightedness, as well as astigmatism.

PRK can help correct:

  • Nearsightedness with or without astigmatism
  • Farsightedness with or without astigmatism
Man with glasses walking through city holding phone, symbolizing dependence on eyewear before undergoing PRK treatment.

Can PRK correct my vision?

PRK can correct most refractive errors, including near- and farsightedness, 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.

Alcohol solution being applied to the cornea to dissolve the epithelial layer in preparation for PRK eye surgery.

Facts about PRK surgery

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.

Bearded man with neutral expression symbolizing clarity, focus, and confidence after PRK eye surgery.

What risks are involved with PRK?

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 check up on you regularly to ensure any potential complications are identified and dealt with early.

Runner in sleeveless shirt at dusk, embodying dynamic clarity and visual confidence post-PRK.

Does recovering from PRK take a long time?

Typically, recovering from PRK surgery takes longer than other types of laser eye procedures because the outer layer of the eye needs time to regenerate and heal. However, your vision should gradually improve in about month. Most patients’ vision becomes stable within three to six months after PRK surgery.

Blurred trees and light distortions representing impaired vision caused by astigmatism before PRK correction.

Is PRK suitable for astigmatism?

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

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  • 1

    Approved and available in selected markets.
  • 2

    Data on file (unpublished). Myopia with optical zone of 6.5 mm.
  • 3

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