Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) both reshape your cornea with laser technology, but they access the treatment area through completely different methods.
The type of laser eye surgery you undergo affects your recovery timeline, activity restrictions, and long-term corneal strength in ways that matter for your specific lifestyle and eye anatomy.
Stephen Khachikian, MD, has extensive experience performing both LASIK and PRK for patients at his practice in Rapid City, South Dakota. Understanding how these procedures differ helps you make the right choice for your vision correction needs.
LASIK surgery involves creating a thin flap in your cornea’s outer layer. Dr. Khachikian lifts this flap aside, reshapes the underlying tissue with the laser, then repositions the flap over the treated area. Your corneal surface stays mostly intact throughout the procedure.
PRK works differently. Dr. Khachikian removes the entire outer layer of corneal cells before laser treatment begins. These surface cells regenerate naturally over the following week, but this regrowth process changes your recovery experience.
Thinner corneas often respond better to PRK than LASIK. Creating a LASIK flap removes corneal tissue, and some eyes don’t have enough thickness to safely accommodate both flap creation and laser reshaping.
PRK doesn’t involve flap creation, making it suitable for patients whose corneas measure below LASIK thickness requirements. Dr. Khachikian measures your corneal thickness during consultation to determine which approach works safely for your eyes.
LASIK patients typically return to work within one to two days because their corneal surface remains protected by the repositioned flap. Vision improves rapidly because the protective outer layer stays in place.
PRK recovery takes longer because your corneal surface must regenerate:
Dr. Khachikian places a protective contact lens over your eye after PRK surgery to shield the healing corneal surface during this regeneration period.
LASIK flaps remain vulnerable to displacement from direct eye trauma for months after surgery. Patients who play contact sports, have dusty work environments, or work jobs with high eye injury risk may favor the approach used with PRK.
Because your cornea regains full structural integrity once healing completes with PRK, it’s particularly suitable for:
These professions benefit from PRK’s elimination of flap-related complications.
Higher degrees of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism may achieve better outcomes with one technique over the other. PRK can sometimes correct prescriptions that exceed safe limits for LASIK because it doesn’t require tissue removal for flap creation.
Dr. Khachikian evaluates your prescription strength alongside corneal measurements to determine which procedure offers the most precise correction while maintaining optimal eye health.
If you’re considering laser eye surgery for vision correction, call Stephen Khachikian, MD, at 605-203-4256 today or schedule an appointment online to learn which option works best for you.
