Procedures

ophthalmology

PRK is a refractive laser eye surgery in which the corneal epithelium is removed and an excimer laser reshapes the underlying corneal stroma to correct myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism. PRK predates LASIK and remains the preferred surface-ablation technique for patients with thin corneas, occupational requirements that contraindicate a corneal flap (military, contact sports), or borderline topography that makes a flap risky. Recovery is slower and more uncomfortable than LASIK because the epithelium has to heal over the treated cornea — typically 3-5 days with a bandage contact lens — but biomechanical integrity of the cornea is preserved.