Surface Laser Vision Correction (PRK)

We’ve all heard of LASIK, but have you heard of surface laser vision correction, known as PRK? PRK eye surgery is a popular alternative to LASIK and is particularly suitable for patients with thin corneas, dry eyes, or mild refractive errors.

PRK, or Photorefractive Keratectomy, is an excimer laser procedure used to treat myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. A computer‑guided cool excimer laser beam is used to precisely remove and reshape corneal tissue at a microscopic level.

Currently, PRK is used to treat about −1.0 to −12.0 diopters of myopia (with up to 4.0 diopters of astigmatism) and +1.0 to +6.0 diopters of hyperopia (with up to 4.0 diopters of astigmatism). The actual PRK procedure usually takes only one to two minutes per eye.

Let’s go over everything you need to know about PRK surgery, including what to expect during the procedure and recovery, the benefits of PRK, and how much it typically costs.

Surface Laser Vision Correction

The most common types of surface laser eye surgery are PRK, LASEK, and more recently, TransPRK. The main difference between these procedures lies in how the corneal epithelium (the surface “skin” layer of the cornea) is removed. In PRK and LASEK, this epithelial layer is removed mechanically by the surgeon—while in LASEK, diluted alcohol is first applied to loosen the epithelial cells.

With surface laser eye surgery there is no need to create a corneal flap. Instead, the same excimer laser used in LASIK reshapes the cornea directly on the surface after the clear epithelial layer has been removed. This epithelial layer then grows back over about a week. During this healing phase, the eye surface can be quite painful and uncomfortable.

Why Surface Laser Vision Correction Is Performed

Although LASIK is a primary procedure at Batal Specialist Eye Center for laser vision correction, there are situations where an experienced eye surgeon may recommend PRK instead. The main reasons for choosing surface laser vision correction include:

– Thin corneas that are not ideal for creating a LASIK flap  

– Significant dry eye where a flap may worsen symptoms  

– Certain irregularities or mild forms of blurred vision where surface treatment is safer or more precise  

The Importance of Surface Laser Vision Correction

Surface laser vision correction, or Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), is a type of refractive eye surgery commonly used to treat mild to moderate myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (blurry or distorted vision).

PRK is similar to LASIK in that it improves long‑term vision and can potentially eliminate the need for prescription glasses, reading glasses, and contact lenses altogether. However, PRK is generally recommended for patients with dry eyes, thin corneas, or certain types of visual blur where flap creation is not ideal.

PRK itself is not considered a painful operation. You may feel slight pressure during the treatment, but most patients tolerate it very well. General anesthesia or heavy sedation is not required for PRK, which makes it a safer option than some other types of refractive surgery.

The key difference is that during PRK, the surgeon does not create a corneal flap as in LASIK. This eliminates flap‑related complications such as flap displacement or flap‑edge infections.

In fact, the discomfort associated with PRK is usually mild and can be effectively managed with over‑the‑counter pain medications. Most patients report only mild irritation or discomfort in the first day or two after the procedure. Fear of pain should not stop you from considering PRK—this is one of the important advantages of surface laser vision correction.

Patients Who Undergo PRK at Batal Center in Jeddah

As mentioned, PRK—Photorefractive Keratectomy—is a type of refractive surgery that uses a laser to correct vision problems caused by refractive errors. When the eye does not bend (refract) light properly, a refractive error is present.

During PRK, your ophthalmologist uses a laser to reshape the cornea. This changes how light rays are focused on the retina, improving visual clarity. PRK is used to treat myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.

The goal of PRK is to improve your vision by correcting the refractive error. In many cases, PRK can significantly reduce or completely eliminate your dependence on glasses or contact lenses.

Typical candidates and cases suitable for PRK at Batal Specialist Center in Jeddah include:

– Patients with thin corneas who are not good LASIK candidates  

– Patients with mild to moderate refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism)  

– Patients with an active lifestyle or contact sports where a corneal flap is a risk  

– Patients with certain corneal surface irregularities where surface ablation is preferred  

How Conditions Are Diagnosed at Batal Center in Saudi Arabia

PRK, or Photorefractive Keratectomy (surface laser vision correction), is designed to reshape the cornea using a computer‑guided excimer laser.

Contact lenses correct vision by changing the path of light as it enters the eye and how it focuses onto the retina. PRK works in a similar way, but instead of adding a lens, it reshapes the cornea itself and thereby changes the light path—much like a “built‑in” contact lens.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, PRK typically takes about 10 minutes to perform. Your eyes will be numbed with anesthetic drops, and your doctor will use a speculum to gently hold your eyelids open so you don’t blink.

You’ll be asked to look at a fixation (target) light during the procedure. You don’t need to worry about small eye movements because the laser is equipped with a high‑speed, computer‑controlled eye tracker that follows the eye more than 1,000 times per second. You should not feel pain during the actual laser treatment.

Your surgeon will remove a thin layer of cells (the epithelium) from the central two‑thirds of the cornea. The laser is then used to reshape the corneal tissue based on precise measurements taken before surgery.

You may receive wavefront‑guided, wavefront‑optimized, or topography‑guided PRK. All of these advanced techniques can produce excellent outcomes, with more than 98% of patients achieving 20/20 vision or better with both eyes open.

Key Advantages and Disadvantages of Surface Laser (PRK)

Without glasses or contact lenses, an estimated 90–95% of PRK surgeries achieve 20/40 vision or better. You may still need glasses for fine print or night driving, and like everyone else, your vision will naturally change with age.

PRK offers similar long‑term benefits to LASIK. Patients who are not ideal candidates for LASIK—such as those with thin corneas—may be very suitable for PRK instead. It can also be an excellent option for athletes, as there is no corneal flap that might be dislodged by impact or rubbing, which is a consideration with LASIK where a flap is created.

Some of the main benefits of PRK include:

– No corneal flap, eliminating flap‑related complications  

– Safer choice for thin or irregular corneas  

– Good option for people with certain dry‑eye profiles  

– Very predictable and stable long‑term visual outcomes  

However, like any surgical procedure, PRK carries some risks. Potential side effects include corneal haze (clouding), infection, scarring, and “halo” or glare effects around lights. There is also a possibility of under‑correction or over‑correction, which may require glasses, contact lenses, or enhancement surgery.

In some cases, vision can regress slightly over time after PRK. Initial recovery after PRK is slower than with LASIK. Many patients notice some visual improvement within days, but the epithelium takes several days to fully heal, and vision may fluctuate for up to three months before it completely stabilizes.

The most common side effects include:

– Eye pain or discomfort for a few days  

– Tearing and light sensitivity  

– Blurry or fluctuating vision in the early healing period  

– Halos or glare at night, which usually improve over time  

Cost of Surface Laser (PRK) at Batal Center

Both PRK and LASIK are safe, effective procedures that can significantly enhance vision. If you don’t have a specific medical indication favoring one over the other, choosing between them can be challenging. Your doctor is more likely to recommend PRK if you have thin corneas or certain types of refractive error.

Because PRK is considered elective surgery, it is unlikely to be fully covered by insurance, similar to LASIK. Some pre‑operative exams or diagnostic tests may be partially covered by your vision insurance, but the surgery itself is usually not. You should still contact your insurance provider to clarify which aspects of PRK, if any, may be covered.

As with other laser‑assisted eye surgeries, the cost of PRK depends on several factors, including the surgeon’s expertise, geographic location, and the type of practice or surgical center. A surgeon with decades of experience who has successfully treated tens of thousands of patients may charge more. A high‑end surgical center with advanced technology may also be more expensive.

Whatever the exact cost, Batal Specialist Eye Center strives to provide competitive pricing combined with high‑level expertise. Geographic location is one of the main factors influencing the final price of PRK and other similar elective eye surgeries.

Does Vision Weaken After Surface Laser (PRK)?

Although laser eye surgery has a very high success rate, like all surgical procedures, PRK carries some risk of complications that patients should understand beforehand. Possible PRK‑related problems include pain, discomfort, and blurred vision during the healing phase.

One of the main drawbacks of PRK compared to LASIK is the longer recovery time. The outer corneal layer has to regenerate, which takes time. PRK also carries a higher chance of temporary blurred vision and increased light sensitivity, especially in patients who need to wear a bandage contact lens after surgery.

Over‑ or under‑correction, night glare, halos, or regression can occur in a minority of cases, but these are usually manageable and often improve with healing or enhancement procedures when needed.

Also read: Femto‑LASIK Vision Correction

Laser Facial Contouring

Facial contouring, also known as facial sculpting or facial definition, is the process of reshaping the facial features to create more balanced and refined contours. This is often achieved by removing localized fat deposits under the skin, helping you look slimmer and more defined.

Facial contouring may also involve reshaping the underlying bones or cartilage through surgical procedures when necessary. In some cases, doctors add dermal fillers or fat grafts to restore volume and enhance facial harmony.

The goal of facial contouring is to create a more refined, proportionate face while highlighting the areas you want to emphasize. It is another form of elective cosmetic surgery that aims to bring better balance to your facial features.

The face is the main area people focus on when recognizing or identifying others. Because the face occupies a relatively small area of the body, only a modest amount of excess fat can noticeably alter its appearance.

This may show as flat or poorly defined cheekbones, puffiness around the eyes, or a round, heavy lower face. These issues can be very distressing, as many people strongly associate their facial shape with their sense of identity.

The good news is that the very cause of the problem—small amounts of fat in a small area—also makes it one of the easier aesthetic concerns to address with appropriately selected treatments.

Also read: Key Advantages of Femto‑LASIK Vision Correction at Batal Center in Jeddah

My Experience with Surface Laser Vision Correction at Batal Center in Jeddah

One patient who underwent surface laser vision correction at Batal Specialist Center shared:

“Before surgery, I stopped wearing my contact lenses because I didn’t want them to affect the shape of my eyes. I had to go through a series of updated prescriptions up until the day of surgery.

A friend drove me to the Batal Specialist Center building. There, they took additional measurements of my eyes. I was given half a dose of Valium and several eye drops, some of which were numbing. They felt icy cold.

I went into the operating room, where the laser was used to perform the procedure. On the first eye, I started to feel the laser, which was quite uncomfortable, but for the second eye they gave me more numbing drops. The entire surgery took maybe 10 minutes. They gave me a care kit to take home along with detailed postoperative instructions.

I was told to keep my eyes closed as much as possible. It was best for me to go home and sleep, as that would help my eyes heal.

My companion woke me up for dinner, but I went back to bed afterwards. My eyes were extremely sensitive to light. They gave me protective goggles to wear while sleeping and dark sunglasses that I had to wear even indoors. My eyes were so light‑sensitive after the surgery that even dark rooms seemed bright.

My companion drove me to my follow‑up appointment the next day. Everything looked good. I was instructed to keep my eyes closed as much as possible and to continue using the prescribed drops. Some were for pain, others to support healing.

For the rest of that week, I tried to keep my eyes closed and listened to podcasts and audiobooks. If you have this surgery, I highly recommend having audio content ready, because you really can’t read or watch TV. Every morning I woke up expecting that I’d finally open my eyes and see clearly.

My eyes eventually healed, and I was able to see perfectly once I had followed the instructions carefully. I’m not sure whether the stress of my father’s illness and passing made my recovery feel longer, but now I have 20/10 vision in one eye and 20/30 in the other. It’s amazing what the surgery at Batal Specialist Center has done for me.”

Most Common Questions About Surface Laser Vision Correction

How long does it take to recover after surface laser (PRK)?

Patients may experience glare, halos, starbursts, haziness, and difficulty seeing in low‑light conditions. As healing progresses, these light‑sensitivity issues usually improve within 7–10 days after PRK. While most patients see reasonably well within about one month, full visual recovery and stabilization can take up to three months.

Can vision become weak again after surface laser (PRK)?

A common concern is: “Does vision deteriorate after surface laser surgery? What are the drawbacks?” The main disadvantages are temporary: mild stinging, tearing, and some blurred vision for 3–4 days after the procedure, while haze gradually reduces over 3–4 weeks. After about one month, visual performance is usually very good—comparable to LASIK—and by two to three months, refractive measurements are typically stable.

What are the symptoms after surface laser (PRK)?

The typical immediate postoperative symptoms after PRK include mild pressure or discomfort during and shortly after treatment, tearing, light sensitivity, and blurry vision during the epithelial healing phase. These symptoms generally improve significantly over the first several days.

How long should I avoid using my phone after LASIK?

As part of the initial rest period, you should avoid looking at any screens—TV, phone, computer, or tablet—for the first 24 hours after LASIK. After this initial rest, you can gradually increase screen time over the following days, as long as your eyes feel comfortable and your doctor has no objections.

Is it safe to go outside after LASIK?

Even if you feel well after LASIK, it’s best to go home and rest for a few hours. Keeping your eyes closed helps protect them from warm or cold air currents and other environmental factors that can dry the eye surface. When you do go outside, wear protective sunglasses as instructed.

When does vision stabilize after surface laser (PRK)?

After PRK, it takes about one week for the surface epithelial cells to fully regrow over the cornea. It then takes about two to six weeks for these cells to smooth out enough to allow clear vision. Achieving maximum, fully stable vision can take up to three months.

When can I use my phone after surface laser (PRK)?

You can usually start using your phone again 24 hours after surface laser surgery, but screen time should be limited and broken into short intervals at first, depending on comfort and your surgeon’s advice.

Whatever type of blurred vision or eye problem you have, these delicate medical conditions require thorough evaluation and proper treatment by a skilled ophthalmologist using effective, modern diagnostic and surgical tools.

If you are experiencing any visual problems, you can book an appointment at Batal Specialist Eye Center for a comprehensive eye examination and to begin addressing your eye condition—no matter how complex it may seem.