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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.

Is PRK right for me?

Your first step to better vision

PRK (short for photorefractive keratectomy) was one of the first procedures to use excimer lasers to correct vision and has been available since the late 80s. Since then, it has gained widespread acceptance for correcting most refractive errors, including near- and farsightedness as well as astigmatism. Find out here if PRK is suitable for you, the pros and cons that might influence your decision to go ahead with surgery, and the further options you have to improve your vision.

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Hands holding a book in clear focus, symbolizing the restored ability to read comfortably after PRK laser eye surgery.

Who is a suitable candidate for PRK?

The PRK procedure may be an option for you if you suffer from nearsightedness or farsightedness with or without astigmatism. Just like for other types of laser vision correction, to qualify for PRK, you should be over 18-years old, have had a stable prescription for at least a year and generally be in good health. During the PRK treatment, your ophthalmic surgeon completely removes the top layer of corneal cells (epithelium). This exposes the corneal layer underneath the epithelium, which your surgeon reshapes using a traditional excimer laser to correct your refractive error. Once this is done, they apply a bandage contact lens to help with healing.

In general, you will not be a suitable candidate for PRK if you have an unstable refractive error, advanced glaucoma or uncontrolled diabetes. Likewise, if you have a history of significant corneal scarring or certain eye infections, PRK is not right for you. Your doctor will be able to assess your suitability for PRK based on your individual circumstances. They can explain the procedure in detail and also offer advice on the alternatives available should you decide PRK is not your best option.

Close-up of an eye gazing upward, reflecting visual focus and the desire for clear sight through PRK correction.

The pros and cons of PRK

PRK is one of the oldest procedures on the market and may be the most suitable choice for patients with thinner corneas. During a PRK procedure, the outer layer of the eye is removed, which leaves enough tissue for your surgeon to shape your cornea to correct your vision.

As the epithelium is completely removed during the PRK procedure, it usually takes around three days for the layer to grow back, after which your surgeon will remove the bandage contact lens. Overall, your vision will stabilise after around three to five months, which is typically longer than other procedures.

PRK is usually an option considered by patients who do not want a procedure that creates a flap, such as LASIK. With PRK, there is no risk of a flap being displaced (as no flap is created in the first place) or other flap-related complications after surgery. This may be interesting for anyone with an active lifestyle or occupation who is worried about accidentally dislodging the flap during strenuous activity. However, there is now an advanced procedure available, lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE or ZEISS SMILE pro, that corrects your vision using the latest laser technology from ZEISS without the need to create a flap.

Alternatives to PRK

With a track record stretching back to the 1980s, PRK is a well-established procedure. However, developments in medical technology and surgical procedures mean there are more advanced laser eye correction procedures available.
Smiling woman resting on a sofa in a bright home, symbolizing ease and confidence after ZEISS SMILE laser vision correction.

ZEISS SMILE

ZEISS SMILE is a minimally invasive, flapless and bladeless treatment option for myopia with or without astigmatism that can correct your eyesight. With ZEISS SMILE, your surgeon uses a femtosecond laser to separate a small piece of corneal tissue in around 30 seconds.

Woman reading comfortably in natural light, representing sharp, unaided vision after ZEISS SMILE pro treatment.

ZEISS SMILE pro

ZEISS SMILE is a minimally invasive and effective option that can correct vision disorders like nearsightedness or farsightedness1 with or without astigmatism, each in a single procedure.2 The treatment is performed with the most advanced laser from ZEISS: ZEISS VISUMAX 800. With this latest generation of ZEISS lasers, your eye is exposed to the laser for less than 10 seconds when treating nearsightedness3 and less than 13 seconds when treating hyperopia4.

Bearded man smiling outdoors in a city environment, symbolizing confidence and visual freedom after LASIK treatment.

LASIK

Since the 1990s, LASIK has helped millions of people achieve clearer vision. Nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia can be treated with LASIK. There are two main types: Femto-LASIK, which uses a laser to create the corneal flap, and classic LASIK, where the flap is made manually with a microkeratome.

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Frequently asked questions

  • PRK surgery has good success rates, but like any surgery, it is not risk-free. Some possible complications include infection and inflammation of the eye, glares, halos and starbursts, as well as corneal haze and dry eyes. Many of these complications are treatable with medication; however, some of them may require additional surgery. You should contact your ophthalmic surgeon immediately if you notice any signs of infection, redness of the eye, pain, discharge, or impaired vision.

  • Go to our FAQ page
  • 1

    Approved and available in selected markets.

  • 2

    In most cases a single procedure is sufficient. In rare cases a re-treatment is needed.
  • 3

    Data on file (unpublished). Myopia with optical zone of 6.5 mm.
  • 4

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