PRK Laser Eye Surgery, The Next Best Option for LASIK

Q: Does PRK Hurt?

Most patients experience little to no pain during the PRK procedure because the eyes are numbed with a topical anesthetic. Our ophthalmologist, M. Farooq Ashraf, may prescribe short-term pain medications, eye drops and suggest over-the-counter pain medicines to ease your discomfort during recovery.

Q: Are My PRK Results Permanent?

PRK results are permanent in the sense that the curvature of your corneas is corrected for good. However, your eyes change as a natural part of aging, and PRK won't prevent you from needing reading glasses in your 40s or later due to the age-related loss of near vision (presbyopia) caused by the hardening of your eye's natural lens.Women may experience temporary vision changes during pregnancy and menopause due to hormonal changes. It's essential to continue with comprehensive eye exams to maintain healthy eyes and make sure that eye diseases that may interfere with your eyesight are detected early. If you're tired of wearing prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses, contact Atlanta Vision Institute to learn more about your laser eye surgery options.

A Clearer Vision Starts Here, Even If LASIK Isn’t Right For You

At Atlanta Vision Institute, our mission is simple: help you see life more clearly. Led by renowned ophthalmologist Dr. Farooq Ashraf, our team has performed over 50,000 successful eye surgeries, helping thousands of patients across Atlanta, Dunwoody, and John’s Creek experience life without contacts or glasses. If you’ve been told you’re not a candidate for LASIK, PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) may be the perfect alternative to achieve the same life-changing results.

What is PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)?

While LASIK is the most popular type of laser eye surgery performed today, it’s not right for everyone. PRK is one of the original forms of laser vision correction, using laser technology to reshape the cornea and correct how light focuses on the retina. PRK helps correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Unlike LASIK, PRK doesn’t require creating a corneal flap, and instead gently removes the outermost layer of the cornea, allowing the laser to reshape the surface directly.

What is the Difference Between PRK & LASIK

The difference between LASIK and PRK is that with LASIK a corneal flap is created and the laser is applied to the inner tissue of the cornea. With PRK, the epithelium (the outer layer of “skin” of the cornea) is removed and a laser is applied to the surface of the cornea. PRK can be used to correct low to high hyperopia (nearsightedness), myopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism (having an irregularly- or oval-shaped cornea rather than one that is round). As is true with LASIK, the entire PRK procedure takes only a few minutes to perform.

Why Choose PRK Over LASIK?

PRK may also be the best choice for individuals who lead very active lifestyles or work in high-risk fields such as law enforcement, aviation or the military, any of which carries a greater risk of eye injury. Because a corneal flap is not made during the PRK procedure, there is less of a chance of injury after this treatment should something come into contact with the eye.

The best way to determine whether PRK is the best type of laser vision correction for you is to visit our office for a comprehensive eye evaluation with Dr. Ashraf. This will allow you the time to have your questions answered and learn more about our PRK technology, experience, and results.

PRK Results & Recovery

Your vision may be slightly blurry at first, but most patients notice steady improvement within 3-5 days as your eyes heal. Most patients return to normal activities within a few days!

Typical PRK Recovery Timeline:

Days 1-3: Blurry vision and mild light sensitivity
Days 4-7: Vision sharpens
Weeks 2-4: Vision continues to refine and get better
1-3 Months: Optimal clarity achieved

Results are long-lasting, giving you the freedom to enjoy life without glasses or contacts.

PRK FAQs

Does PRK Hurt?

Not at all. Your eyes are numbed before surgery, and most patients describe the sensation as mild pressure. Our ophthalmologist, M. Farooq Ashraf, may prescribe short-term pain medications, eye drops and suggest over-the-counter pain medicines to ease your discomfort during recovery.

How Long Does PRK Take to Perform?

The actual laser eye surgery takes only a few minutes per eye.

Am I a Good Candidate for PRK?

You may be a great candidate if:

You have thin corneas or dry eyes
Your prescription is stable for one to two years.
Your eyes are healthy and free from common diseases and conditions, including glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic eye disease and infection.
You are not pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive.

Dr. Ashraf can determine if PRK is right for you during a free comprehensive eye exam at Atlanta Vision Institute.

What Happens on the Day of PRK Treatment?

Have a friend or family member accompany you on the day of your PRK eye surgery. PRK is an outpatient procedure, and you will need someone to drive you home afterward as your vision will be blurry. On the day of your PRK procedure, you’ll relax in one of our comfortable surgical suites. Dr. Ashraf will apply numbing eye drops before surgery begins. Step 2, the laser reshapes the cornea in seconds, and a soft bandage contact lens is placed to protect your eyes as it heals. Lastly, you’ll receive prescription eye drops and detailed recovery instructions prior to leaving the clinic.

Follow-up appointments typically consist of one appointment the day after PRK, another one several days later to remove the bandage contact lens, followed by a series of visits to check vision, eye pressure and dryness and determine if enhancement is needed.

Are My PRK Results Permanent?

Yes, PRK permanently reshapes your cornea. However, like all adults, you may eventually need reading glasses later in life due to natural aging.

See Life Clearly Again

If you’re tired of wearing glasses and contacts, it’s time to see what PRK can do for you. Schedule your free PRK consultation today with Dr. Ashraf, and experience the clarity you deserve.