Refractive Surgery

LASIK / PRK

Laser vision correction to reduce or eliminate dependence on glasses and contacts

LASIK and PRK are laser procedures that reshape your cornea to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Both aim to reduce or eliminate your need for glasses or contacts. LASIK involves creating a thin flap in the cornea before laser treatment, while PRK removes the outer layer of the cornea instead. Both have excellent success rates, with most patients achieving 20/20 vision or better.

How it works

Your cornea (the clear front surface of your eye) bends light as it enters your eye. In nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, the cornea's shape causes light to focus incorrectly on your retina, resulting in blurry vision. Glasses and contacts compensate by bending light before it reaches your cornea.

LASIK and PRK use an excimer laser to precisely reshape your cornea so light focuses correctly on your retina. In LASIK, a thin flap is created in the cornea, lifted, and the laser reshapes the underlying tissue before the flap is replaced. In PRK, the outer layer (epithelium) is removed, the laser is applied, and the epithelium grows back naturally over several days. Both achieve similar final results.

Animation showing laser reshaping the cornea to correct how light focuses on the retina

Is this right for me?

This may be considered if you have:

  • Stable glasses or contact lens prescription for at least 1-2 years
  • Healthy corneas of adequate thickness
  • Age 18 or older (prescription must be stable)
  • No significant dry eye, corneal disease, or other eye conditions
  • Desire to reduce dependence on glasses or contacts for lifestyle or career reasons

It may not be a good fit if you have:

  • Prescription that's still changing
  • Thin corneas that can't safely be reshaped
  • Severe dry eye or corneal disease like keratoconus
  • Very large pupils that may increase side effects
  • Autoimmune diseases or conditions affecting healing
  • Unrealistic expectations — perfect vision isn't guaranteed
  • Presbyopia (reading glasses after 40) isn't eliminated by standard LASIK/PRK

A comprehensive evaluation including corneal mapping and thickness measurements will determine if you're a good candidate and which procedure is better for your eyes.

What to expect

1

Before

  • •Stop wearing contact lenses for a period before your evaluation and surgery (soft lenses 1-2 weeks, rigid lenses longer)
  • •Comprehensive eye exam with corneal mapping, thickness measurements, and pupil evaluation
  • •Discussion of realistic expectations and potential risks
  • •Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure
2

During

The procedure takes about 10-15 minutes per eye. You'll receive numbing drops and a mild sedative if desired. A device holds your eyelids open, and you'll focus on a target light. The laser treatment itself takes only 30-60 seconds per eye. LASIK recovery begins immediately; PRK requires a bandage contact lens for several days while the surface heals.

3

After

  • •LASIK: Most patients see well the next day; PRK takes several days to weeks for vision to clear
  • •Rest and avoid screens for the first day
  • •Use prescribed eye drops to prevent infection and reduce inflammation
  • •Avoid rubbing your eyes, swimming, and dusty environments for several weeks
  • •Multiple follow-up visits to monitor healing
LASIK and PRK are elective procedures with excellent safety records when performed on appropriate candidates. However, no surgery is risk-free. Dry eye, glare, halos, and the need for enhancement are possible. Serious vision loss is very rare but can occur. Discuss all risks with your surgeon.

Frequently asked questions

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Sources

Information on this page is based on the following authoritative sources:

Last updated: April 2026