May 5, 20265 min read
The Original Laser Procedure
Before LASIK existed, there was PRK — Photorefractive Keratectomy. PRK was the first laser vision correction procedure approved for use, and it has been quietly correcting eyesight since the late 1980s.
Today, most people choose LASIK because the recovery is faster. But PRK is still the right answer for some patients — and in certain cases, it is actually the *safer* choice.
Today, most people choose LASIK because the recovery is faster. But PRK is still the right answer for some patients — and in certain cases, it is actually the *safer* choice.
How They Differ
Both procedures reshape the cornea with the same type of laser. The difference is what happens on the surface:
- **LASIK** creates a thin flap, reshapes the tissue underneath, and replaces the flap.
- **PRK** gently removes the very thin outer skin of the cornea (the epithelium) and reshapes the tissue directly. The skin grows back naturally over a few days.
Think of it like this: LASIK is like lifting a door to fix what is behind it. PRK is like polishing the surface and letting it heal back smoother.
- **LASIK** creates a thin flap, reshapes the tissue underneath, and replaces the flap.
- **PRK** gently removes the very thin outer skin of the cornea (the epithelium) and reshapes the tissue directly. The skin grows back naturally over a few days.
Think of it like this: LASIK is like lifting a door to fix what is behind it. PRK is like polishing the surface and letting it heal back smoother.
When PRK Is the Better Choice
I recommend PRK over LASIK when:
- The patient has a **thinner cornea** — there may not be enough tissue to safely create a LASIK flap.
- The patient has a **very active lifestyle** with risk of eye trauma — boxers, martial artists, military personnel. No flap means no flap to dislodge.
- The patient has **certain corneal surface conditions** where a flap would be risky.
The downside? Recovery. With PRK, the first 3 to 5 days can be uncomfortable while the surface heals. Vision is blurry during that time. By two weeks most patients are back to normal, and at three months results match LASIK closely.
- The patient has a **thinner cornea** — there may not be enough tissue to safely create a LASIK flap.
- The patient has a **very active lifestyle** with risk of eye trauma — boxers, martial artists, military personnel. No flap means no flap to dislodge.
- The patient has **certain corneal surface conditions** where a flap would be risky.
The downside? Recovery. With PRK, the first 3 to 5 days can be uncomfortable while the surface heals. Vision is blurry during that time. By two weeks most patients are back to normal, and at three months results match LASIK closely.
Did You Know?
Many professional pilots and military special forces are required to have PRK rather than LASIK, because the procedure has no corneal flap that could be affected by sudden pressure changes or impact.
The Bottom Line
Same laser. Same final result for the vast majority of patients. The choice between LASIK and PRK is about your cornea, your lifestyle, and how much recovery time you can afford.
At your consultation, we measure your cornea precisely and tell you honestly which procedure gives you the best long-term outcome. Sometimes faster recovery is worth it. Sometimes a slower recovery and a safer procedure is the smarter choice.
At your consultation, we measure your cornea precisely and tell you honestly which procedure gives you the best long-term outcome. Sometimes faster recovery is worth it. Sometimes a slower recovery and a safer procedure is the smarter choice.
LASIK
PRK
laser eye surgery
recovery