PRK Eye Surgery

You may consider PRK eye surgery if you experience ongoing vision challenges that affect your daily activities and are looking for a long-term solution beyond glasses or contact lenses.

PRK surgery is often advised for individuals who are not suitable for LASIK due to corneal thickness or other eye-related factors. It is also a preferred option for those with active lifestyles where flap-based procedures may not be ideal.

A detailed eye evaluation helps determine whether PRK laser eye surgery is the right choice based on your eye health, vision needs, and overall suitability.

PRK surgery is designed to correct common refractive errors by improving how light focuses on the retina, helping restore clearer and more stable vision.

It is effective in treating:

• Myopia (difficulty seeing distant objects) - Up to -6D
• Hyperopia (difficulty focusing on near objects) - Up to +6D
• Astigmatism (distorted or blurred vision due to uneven corneal shape) - Up to 6D

By reshaping the cornea with precision, PRK laser eye surgery corrects these vision issues at their source, reducing dependence on glasses or contact lenses over time.

Lifestyle plays an important role when choosing PRK eye surgery as a vision correction option. People involved in sports, fitness routines, or physically demanding jobs often require a solution that supports active movement.

Since it does not involve creating a corneal flap, it reduces concerns related to flap displacement during high-impact activities or contact sports.

This makes PRK laser eye surgery a suitable choice for individuals looking for stable vision correction without restrictions on their daily or professional activities.

Overall eye health is carefully assessed before recommending PRK eye surgery. Conditions such as dryness, infections, or corneal irregularities need to be identified and managed in advance.

A comprehensive eye examination helps determine whether PRK surgery is the right option or if another procedure may be more suitable.

Ensuring good eye health before treatment allows PRK laser eye surgery to deliver safer outcomes, smoother recovery, and more consistent visual results.

Stable vision is an important requirement for undergoing PRK eye surgery. If your glasses or contact lens number is frequently changing, it may indicate that your eye power has not yet stabilised.

Doctors typically recommend it only after vision has remained stable for a year or six months, to ensure accurate correction.

This stability helps PRK laser eye surgery deliver predictable and long-lasting results, reducing the chances of future changes in vision after the procedure.

TransPRK is an advanced version of PRK laser eye surgery that uses a completely "no-touch" technique. The laser performs both the surface preparation and vision correction in a single step.

This reduces manual involvement during PRK surgery and improves precision. It also makes the procedure more streamlined and comfortable for the patient.

Key Highlights:

• No-touch, fully laser-based approach
• Improved precision and consistency
• Reduced procedure time
• Enhanced patient comfort

Smart SurfACE is the most advanced and fastest form of PRK eye surgery developed by Schwind Amaris, designed to provide a smoother, quicker treatment experience and improved healing profile. It focuses on optimising the laser application on the corneal surface.

This advanced approach helps reduce surface irregularities and enables visual prediction even before the surgery.

Key Highlights:

• Smoother corneal surface treatment
• Supports faster visual recovery
• Improved comfort during healing
• Advanced laser precision technology

How the Procedure Works

Flap-based surgeries involve creating a thin layer (flap) on the cornea, lifting it, reshaping the underlying tissue with a laser, and then placing the flap back.

How It Differs from PRK (Surface-Based)

• PRK works on the surface → no flap created
• Flap-based procedures → the corneal flap is essential
• Faster initial recovery than PRK
• Slightly higher structural considerations due to the flap

Key Considerations

• Not ideal for very thin corneas
• Quick visual recovery (often within 1–2 days)
• Long-term outcomes are highly predictable

Common Surgeries: LASIK, Femto LASIK, Contoura Vision, Custom Eyes, and Innov Eyes.

How the Procedure Works

Lenticule-based surgeries reshape vision by creating a small disc-shaped tissue (lenticule) with the help of a laser and then removing it from within the cornea through a tiny incision.

How It Differs from PRK (Surface-Based)

• PRK treats the outer surface
• Lenticule-based → works within corneal layers
• No flap, but still involves internal tissue removal
• Faster recovery than PRK in most cases

Key Considerations

• Minimally invasive with a small incision
• Reduced dry eye risk compared to flap-based

Common Surgeries: SMILE, SILK, and CLEAR

How the Procedure Works

Lens-based surgeries correct vision by placing a biocompatible artificial lens inside the eye, without reshaping the cornea.

How It Differs from PRK (Surface-Based)

• PRK reshapes the cornea → permanent structural change
• Lens-based → adds a lens without altering the cornea
• Suitable when laser correction may not be ideal
• Reversible

Key Considerations

• Ideal for high refractive errors
• Preserves corneal thickness

Common Surgeries: ICL and Phakic Intraocular Lens (PIOL)