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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.

PRK for astigmatism

PRK can be used to correct the three most common types of refractive errors: nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism. With an astigmatism, your cornea has an irregular, more oval shape which distorts and blurs your vision at various distances. It is a common condition that can cause eye strain or headaches when concentrating for longer periods, such as driving or extended screen work. Astigmatism can also affect your depth perception, making it difficult to judge how far objects are. And you may also experience halos or glare when looking at lights, particularly at night.

Although astigmatism can be partially corrected with glasses or contact lenses, many patients turn to laser vision correction as a longer-term option to treat the condition. Read on to find out more about PRK surgery and how far it can correct astigmatism.

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

How PRK corrects astigmatism

Before any surgery takes place, your doctor will examine your eyes and perform a series of tests to ensure PRK is the right type of laser vision correction for you. They will also explain the risks and benefits of the procedure, so you can make an informed decision.

If an eye is affected by astigmatism, the cornea is shaped more like a rugby ball with different curvatures in different directions. During the PRK procedure, your surgeon uses an excimer laser to sculpt your cornea’s tissue. The aim is to make the cornea more spherical like a football, thereby correcting the irregularities that cause astigmatism.

Smiling eye doctor in consultation room, representing expert advice and guidance for patients considering PRK treatment for astigmatism.

Limits of PRK for astigmatism

The PRK procedure is suitable for moderate astigmatism up to 6.00 dioptres. However, if your prescription is outside this range or if your astigmatism is caused by certain corneal ectatic disorders including keratoconus, keratoglobus or pellucid marginal degeneration, PRK is most likely not suitable for you.

PRK is not an option if you are under 18 years of age, have unstable visual acuity, are pregnant or breastfeeding. In addition to the corneal ectatic conditions mentioned above, you won’t be considered for PRK if you have another eye disease, such as glaucoma, cataract or retinal disease. This is also true if you are taking immunosuppressive drugs or suffer from other illnesses, such as diabetes, hepatitis C, herpes, rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
Your eye doctor can advise you on your options and suitability for PRK, based on your individual health and circumstances.

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Frequently asked questions

  • TransPRK (Transepithelial PhotoRefractive Keratectomy) is a similar procedure to standard PRK. Both procedures follow the same steps to correct your vision. However, during standard PRK, the outer layer of the eye is dissolved using an alcohol solution whereas during the TransPRK procedure, your surgeon removes the epithelium layer using an excimer laser.

  • PRK, LASIK and lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE or ZEISS SMILE pro have proven to be safe and effective procedures to correct astigmatism. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The PRK treatment may be more advantageous than LASIK for patients with thinner corneas. However, corneal healing after PRK usually takes longer than after LASIK. Lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE or SMILE pro are advanced laser vision correction procedures with fast recovery times and without the risk of flap-related complications. You should talk to your doctor to determine which procedure is best for you.

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    Lenticule extraction with SMILE® pro from ZEISS is an advanced laser vision correction treatment. Using ZEISS SMILE pro, your surgeon can treat nearsightedness and farsightedness¹ with or without astigmatism in a minimally invasive procedure – with less than 10 seconds of laser exposure when treating nearsightedness2 and less than 13 seconds when treating farsightedness3.

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    Lenticule extraction with SMILE® from ZEISS is an advanced laser vision correction. Using ZEISS SMILE, your surgeon can correct nearsightedness with or without astigmatism in a minimally invasive procedure.

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    PRK, developed in the 1980s, was the first laser vision correction procedure and is still used today for certain patients. It can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. While newer techniques like ZEISS SMILE, ZEISS SMILE pro and LASIK are available, PRK remains a trusted option for patients with specific eye conditions.

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    Astigmatism

    If you experience blurry vision, halos, or glare, especially at night, you may have astigmatism. This common condition occurs alongside nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia). While glasses or contact lenses can correct it, laser vision correction offers an alternative solution for treating astigmatism.

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    Explore other options of laser vision correction and how they differ in technique, treatment approach or recovery time. Your eye doctor can help determine the best option for you.

  • 1

    Approved and available in selected markets.

  • 2

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

    Data on file (unpublished). The whole procedure including extracting the lenticule lasts about 5 to 10 minutes per eye.