What Is PRK Eye Surgery? Is It Better In The Long Term?
Glasses are okay… until they start to feel annoying every single day.
They fog up when drinking something warm, slip down your nose when it’s hot, and no matter how often you clean them, there’s always a smudge in the wrong spot. And contact lenses? They dry out your eyes or just don’t feel great after a few hours.
That’s usually when people start thinking — it would be nice to just wake up and see clearly.
Most folks hear about LASIK first. It’s common and works well for many.
But there’s another type of vision correction called PRK. It’s been around for a long time and, for some people, it might actually be a better choice.
This guide is here to explain PRK in a way that makes sense. No technical words. No pushy tone. Just real info — how the procedure works, who it’s good for, what recovery feels like, and what kind of results to expect.
That’s it. Simple, honest, and hopefully helpful.
What Is PRK Eye Surgery?
PRK is a type of laser eye surgery. Been around for a while. Since the late ’80s, actually. Stands for photorefractive keratectomy — kind of a mouthful though. Most people just call it PRK.
It’s used to fix blurry vision. Like if you can’t see far (that’s nearsightedness), or close-up stuff is fuzzy (farsightedness). Or if your vision’s just kind of blurry all over—that’s astigmatism.
So here’s what it does: it changes the shape of the cornea, that clear layer in front of the eye. Once that’s reshaped, light goes in the right way and hits the retina where it’s supposed to. That’s what makes things clear again.
Now—PRK vs LASIK. The big difference is in how the laser gets to the cornea. LASIK makes a little flap. The laser goes underneath it. In PRK, no flap. They just remove the surface layer first, then do the laser part.
Sounds a bit more serious, maybe—but it’s better for some people. Like if your cornea’s thin or you’re into contact sports. No flap means less risk in those cases.
Same goal, though. Clear vision. Just a different way of getting there.
Who Is PRK Best For?
PRK isn’t for everyone, true. But for some folks, it’s actually the better choice.
Like, say someone’s got thin corneas — that can make LASIK a bit risky. PRK doesn’t involve cutting a flap, so yeah, it’s usually safer in those cases.
Also, if someone has dry eyes already, LASIK can sometimes make that worse. PRK’s a better call for people dealing with that on a daily basis.
Then there’s the physical stuff — like people who play sports where there’s a lot of contact, or have a job where getting hit in the face could actually happen (boxing, army, that kind of thing). A LASIK flap might shift in those cases, so PRK’s flap-free approach makes more sense.
Some people just prefer the idea of no flap at all — even if it means recovery takes a little longer. They’re okay waiting a few more days for the vision to settle, as long as it’s safer for them long term.
So yeah — not for everyone, but for the right eyes and the right lives, PRK makes a lot of sense.
So, How Does PRK Surgery Actually Work?
The PRK procedure is pretty quick — like 10 minutes per eye, give or take.
You lie back, they put in numbing drops. Feels cool, not painful at all. No sharp tools or anything like that.
Then they gently remove the top layer of your eye (super thin, you won’t feel much). That step just clears the way for the laser.
Next, the laser reshapes your cornea. You just stare at a blinking light — it takes a few seconds, and it’s over before you even realize.
After that, they place a soft contact lens on your eye. It’s not for vision, more like a bandage to help healing.
They’ll send you home with some eye drops and a list of simple care tips. Stuff like “don’t rub your eyes” and “rest as much as you can.”
The whole thing is way less scary than it sounds. It’s quick, no pain, and honestly kind of chill.
What Does Recovery Feel Like?
So… PRK recovery. It’s not fast, just being honest. First few days are kinda rough. Not pain, but like, your eyes feel weird. Gritty? Like when you get dust in them and can’t get it out. Bright light’s super annoying too. You won’t want to look at screens or anything.
Usually after like 3–4 days, it starts to ease. Still not clear vision, but better. They’ll probably remove that lens they put in during surgery. It’s just there to help healing, not for seeing.
After a week-ish, you can do normal stuff. Work, walking around, reading a bit. Things still sharpen slowly, though.
A few weeks later — could be two, could be four — things start feeling really normal. Vision is good, maybe 20/20 by then. Maybe takes a bit longer for some.
You’ll be doing drops — lots of them — for a few weeks. Helps stop infection and calm swelling. And yeah, don’t rub your eyes. Avoid dust. No screens too much early on.
Feels long when you’re in it, but it’s not bad in the bigger picture. Most people are glad they did it.
PRK vs LASIK: Not Better Or Worse—Just Different
So, PRK and LASIK kind of do the same thing. Both help you get rid of glasses or contacts. The goal is clear vision. But how they get there is different.
LASIK is faster when it comes to healing. A lot of people say their vision clears up the same day or the next. But it involves making a flap on the surface of your eye. For some, that’s totally fine. For others—like if you already have dry eyes or you play sports or work in rough conditions—that flap can be a risk.
PRK does not use a flap at all. They remove the top layer of the eye and let it grow back. So yes, it takes longer. But the upside is there’s no flap to worry about later. That is why people in the military or athletes often go with PRK.
End result? Both work really well. It is not about which one is better. It is more about which one fits your eyes and the kind of life you live.
Are There Side Effects?
There are some side effects after PRK, just like you’d expect with any surgery. Most people say things feel a little off in the beginning. Vision’s usually not super clear right away — it’s kind of blurry for a few days. And your eyes might feel dry or tired, especially if you try to do too much too soon.
Some people also mention that light feels too bright at first. Like, going outside in the daytime or using a phone in a dark room might bother your eyes more than usual. You might see halos around lights at night too — that sort of glow around streetlights or car headlights. It sounds weird, but it’s not painful, just something you notice.
But these things don’t last. They fade. Most of it improves within a few weeks, sometimes even faster. If the surgery’s done by someone experienced, and if you follow the instructions they give — rest well, use your drops, avoid rubbing — recovery usually goes smooth. Serious issues? They’re rare.
It just takes a little patience and care.
Should You Consider PRK?
Some people think about ditching glasses or lenses for good, and for them, PRK might be something to look at. It’s not fast like LASIK, that’s true, and healing can take a bit. But still, it’s solid and has been around for decades.
It doesn’t make a flap on the eye like LASIK does, so for people who are into sports or have a job that’s physical, that’s a big plus. Less chance of problems later. And if someone has thin corneas or gets dry eyes easily, PRK is often safer.
PRK is not trendy, and that’s okay. It’s proven. What matters more is what suits you. Not all eyes are the same.
Ask your doctor. Ask everything you need to. It’s better to be clear than fast. And when it feels right, you go ahead.