Custom Surface PRK [Photorefractive Keratectomy] Surgery

What is Custom Surface PRK?

It’s a type of laser eye surgery used to correct myopia (shortsightedness), hyperopia (longsightedness) and astigmatism. It was the first type of laser surgery for vision correction and the forerunner to LASIK. It is sometimes used as an alternative to LASIK for people who have very thin or flat corneas. It is also known as Surface Treatment or Surface Ablation.

Procedure time: About 10 minutes per eye

Typical results: 20/20 vision without glasses or contact lenses

How does PRK work?

The thin outer layer of the cornea (called the epithelium) is removed before the surgeon reshapes the underlying corneal tissue with an excimer laser. By removing tiny amounts of tissue from the surface of the eye, your surgeon is able to correct your vision. The main difference between PRK and LASIK is the first step of the procedures. In LASIK, a thin flap is created on the cornea with a femtosecond laser. This flap is then lifted to reveal the underlying corneal tissue and then replaced after the cornea is reshaped with an excimer laser.

Healing times are generally a little longer for PRK than for LASIK surgery, because the outer layer of the cornea needs to grow back again. It usually repairs itself and grows back within a few days. A protective lens is placed over the eye after surgery to help the healing process.

What to expect from PRK

PRK is quick, painless and highly effective, so there’s no need to feel nervous. Even if you are a little worried, our really friendly, highly trained team will make sure you feel completely at ease before, during and after your procedure.

The surgery:

First, anaesthetic eye drops are administered to numb the eye. Then, a device is gently placed on the eye to help keep it open. The surgeon will then remove the microscopic surface layer of the cornea, so the layers of the cornea that need to be treated are revealed.

An excimer laser is then applied to the cornea to precisely reshape the surface of the eye. Afterwards, a protective lens is placed over the eye to help it heal.