PRK is an all-laser vision correction procedure that is similar to LASIK, except that no flap is created in PRK. Rather, the corneal epithelium is removed, and the corneal sculpting is then done with the excimer laser on the surface of the cornea. Learn more about the differences between LASIK and PRK.
Because the corneal epithelium is removed, the recovery from PRK is less comfortable and takes longer than with LASIK. In the PRK procedure, the laser removes less tissue from the cornea than it does in the LASIK procedure. Patients with thin corneas or nearsightedness too high to correct with LASIK are often candidates for PRK. During your comprehensive eye exam, Dr. Herschel will evaluate your corneas, including corneal thickness, to determine which vision correction procedure is best for your eyes. Learn more about the PRK procedure.
Who Is Candidate For PRK?
Young Adults or Adults with thin corneas or high myopia to correct these refractive errors:
Nearsightedness
Astigmatism
Visian ICL patients with astigmatism after surgery
Adults or Older Adults who have residual refractive error after:
Refractive Lens Exchange
Refractive Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery
Keratoconus patients (see topography-guided PRK)