PRK Surgery

Q: Is PRK better than LASIK?

LASIK and PRK are both advanced, safe procedures, with neither being objectively better. Rather, they are designed for different patients. The right option will depend on your eye anatomy and your personal needs.

Q: Is PRK painful?

The numbing drops used during the procedure ensure a fully pain-free experience. There is one day of mild to moderate discomfort treated with at-home numbing drops. Otherwise, some minor irritation, sensitivity, or discomfort are possible during the first week following the procedure. However, these should remain mild and resolve after the first few days post-procedure.

Q: How long does PRK recovery take?

It typically takes about 1 week for the eye to recover enough for vision to begin stabilizing. From this point, the eye will continue to heal, with continued vision improvements occurring in the following months. Most patients have full vision stabilization around 3 to 6 months after their PRK surgery. Most people are driving and working even during the first week of healing.

Q: Who is not a good candidate for PRK?

While PRK is often ideal for patients who cannot have LASIK, we still explore your medical history to ensure it is safe. Some signs that PRK may not be a good option at present can include: Unstable prescriptions Certain corneal conditions Active eye disease Uncontrolled dry eye Certain medical conditions that impair healing A consultation is always essential to provide a full assessment and recommendation.

Q: Does PRK create a flap?

No. Unlike LASIK, PRK does not involve creating a corneal flap. Rather, it directly removes the outer epithelial layer of the cornea.

Q: Can PRK correct astigmatism?

PRK can be highly effective for treating astigmatism (often up to 4.0 diopters or higher). The procedure removes microscopic amounts of tissue, which can correct the irregular shape that causes astigmatism.

Q: How long do PRK results last?

PRK results are typically stable over the long term. Natural age-related changes can still occur, so maintaining excellent eye health is supportive for longer-lasting results. Conditions like cataracts could influence results with age, but patients can still have cataract surgery if they have had PRK surgery.

Advanced laser eye surgery for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism

PRK (Photorefractive keratectomy) is a trusted laser vision correction option for patients who may not be ideal candidates for LASIK or who prefer to have the least invasive form of laser vision correction. The unique techniques involved with PRK make it more suitable and safer for patients with thinner corneas or dry eyes. As a leading provider of laser vision procedures, Dr. Caster is proud to offer PRK surgery in Los Angeles.

Take our self-test or schedule a consultation to see if PRK might be right for you.

What Is PRK Surgery?

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) surgery, like LASIK, is a refractive laser vision correction procedure. While it also involves reshaping the cornea to improve light focus, it does not involve creating a corneal flap. Instead, the outer surface layer of the cornea is gently removed. This key difference is what makes it suitable for patients with thinner corneas. Patients can use PRK surgery to correct:

Nearsightedness
Farsightedness
Astigmatism

PRK Surgery: At a Glance

Procedure Type: Laser vision correction
Best For: Patients who may not be ideal LASIK candidates
Conditions Treated: Nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism
Anesthesia: Numbing eye drops
Procedure Time: Typically < 5 minutes
Downtime: About 5 days for first step in healing, though most patients are able to work during this time
Results: Gradual vision improvements leading to long-term correction

Who Is a Good Candidate for PRK?

When assessing candidates, Dr. Caster performs a full assessment. This generally includes a full eye exam, corneal mapping, prescription review, and discussion of expectations. Some key features of a good PRK surgery candidate include:

Wanting to reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses
Having nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism
Having stable vision prescriptions
Having healthy eyes with no active infection or serious chronic eye disease

What Happens During PRK Surgery?

PRK surgery often surprises patients with how quick and pain-free it is. The surgery itself often takes as few as 5minutes and is an outpatient procedure. Each procedure involves steps such as:

1.Numbing Drops

The eye is numbed to ensure a comfortable procedure.

2. Surface Preparation

The outer epithelial layer is gently removed. You should not feel any pain, but some pressure sensation is normal.

3. Laser Reshaping

We use an excimer laser to gently reshape the cornea based on your prescription. The laser beam will ablate target areas without damaging the surrounding tissue.

4. Protective Contact Lens

We place a bandage contact lens over the eye to keep it safe while it heals.

PRK Recovery Timeline

The surface layer of the cornea will naturally regenerate over several days. However, there are a few key points of the recovery period to keep in mind.

First Few Days

Side effects like blurry vision or light sensitivity are normal. Tearing, irritation, and mild to moderate discomfort for one day are also normal. You will be given numbing drops to use at home to help with any pain. Continue to wear the protective contact lens as healing progresses for your eye(s).

First Week

The corneal surface will continue to heal, allowing your vision to begin improving. Most patients can be cleared to return to most activity.

First Month and Beyond

Your vision should continue to sharpen as healing progresses. You should also see improvement in side effects like dryness, glare, or fluctuation. Eventually, your final results will stabilize with time. While PRK recovery is slower than LASIK, the visual outcomes are excellent and well worth it for appropriate patients.

Why Choose Dr. Caster for PRK Surgery in Los Angeles?

Extraordinary Expertise: Dr. Caster has performed over 30,000 laser vision correction procedures.
Los Angeles Magazine has recognized Dr. Caster as the “Best LASIK Surgeon in Los Angeles,” and he has been listed in “Best Doctors in America” repeatedly.
Our ultramodern facility is designed for comfort and safety.
Our advanced diagnostic evaluations help determine whether PRK, LASIK, or SMILE is most appropriate.

FAQ

Is PRK better than LASIK?

LASIK and PRK are both advanced, safe procedures, with neither being objectively better.
Rather, they are designed for different patients. The right option will depend on your eye
anatomy and your personal needs.

Is PRK painful?

The numbing drops used during the procedure ensure a fully pain-free experience. There is one
day of mild to moderate discomfort treated with at-home numbing drops. Otherwise, some minor
irritation, sensitivity, or discomfort are possible during the first week following the procedure.
However, these should remain mild and resolve after the first few days post-procedure.

How long does PRK recovery take?

It typically takes about 1 week for the eye to recover enough for vision to begin stabilizing. From
this point, the eye will continue to heal, with continued vision improvements occurring in the
following months. Most patients have full vision stabilization around 3 to 6 months after their
PRK surgery. Most people are driving and working even during the first week of healing.

Who is not a good candidate for PRK?

While PRK is often ideal for patients who cannot have LASIK, we still explore your medical history to ensure it is safe. Some signs that PRK may not be a good option at present can include:

Unstable prescriptions
Certain corneal conditions
Active eye disease
Uncontrolled dry eye
Certain medical conditions that impair healing

A consultation is always essential to provide a full assessment and recommendation.

Does PRK create a flap?

No. Unlike LASIK, PRK does not involve creating a corneal flap. Rather, it directly removes the
outer epithelial layer of the cornea.

Can PRK correct astigmatism?

PRK can be highly effective for treating astigmatism (often up to 4.0 diopters or higher). The
procedure removes microscopic amounts of tissue, which can correct the irregular shape that
causes astigmatism.

How long do PRK results last?

PRK results are typically stable over the long term. Natural age-related changes can still occur,
so maintaining excellent eye health is supportive for longer-lasting results. Conditions like
cataracts could influence results with age, but patients can still have cataract surgery if they
have had PRK surgery.