Photo-refractive Keratectomy Houston | PRK Surgery Houston, TX

What is PRK?

PRK is an acronym for photo-refractive keratectomy. Laser vision correction like PRK is a procedure that has been performed over 20 million times worldwide since 1995. Over 1 million people in the United States have laser vision correction every year. PRK laser eye surgery consists of two main steps. First, the thin surface covering of the cornea (called epithelium) is gently removed. Then, a laser light is used to reshape the anterior cornea. A temporary soft clear lens is placed on the eye for about 5 days as the skin surface regrows naturally underneath it. The new cornea curve now refocuses light properly without glasses or prescription contacts.

Laser vision correction has evolved as have the techniques and technologies to determine candidacy for the various types of procedures. Dr. Mattioli is trained and certified in multiple technologies and procedures enabling you to receive the best treatment and outcome. Many people who were told that they are not candidates for laser vision correction may now be able to receive even better procedures for their situation. All-laser LASIK and PRK techniques do not use any type of blade to treat your eye.

Dr. Mattioli has performed over 30,000 treatments using both microkeratome and all-laser LASIK technologies.

Am I A Candidate For PRK?

For the most part, PRK is offered to men and women who want to take advantage of laser eye surgery but aren’t eligible for LASIK or LASEK. PRK may also be a more suitable treatment for patients with particular eye disorders. It could also be a safer procedure for people who have a higher chance of injury to the eye due to dangerous working conditions or taking part in contact sports. Laser eye surgery candidates need to be no less than 18 years old so that their eyes are totally developed, and they have to have had a stable vision prescription for at least a year. To be able to see whether PRK is a good procedure for every individual patient, we have to conduct a thorough eye assessment and talk about any past or current health issues.

Call us now for an Appointment

Call us today for an appointment to see what may be right for you. Have you been told you’re not a LASIK candidate? There are options for you.

What Are The Benefits Of PRK?

Effective for patients who aren’t a candidate for LASIK
It’s safer for people engaged in sports, the military, physically-demanding occupations, or other high-impact activities
Better suited for patients with thin corneas
More effective for patients needing stronger prescriptions
Less likely to cause dry eye and/or infection
It costs less
It has a high success rate
Touchless procedure is safe and gentle

Plan Your Procedure

Average Cost Per Pterygium: From $1,530
Recovery Time: 5-7 days
How Long It Takes: 15 minutes
Follow Up Time: 1 day, 1week, and 1 month

Frequently Asked Questions

It is performed using eye drop anesthetics. You lie on the laser bed and stare at the central target light. You can blink anytime you want, just stare straight. You may feel some pressure for 10-30 seconds, and/or cold eye drops placed periodically, but that’s usually about it. PRK is usually complete for both eyes in 10-15 minutes.

Most will notice some improvement as soon as the treatment is complete. The vision is typically still foggy of course, and a driver will take you home. Typically, the vision continues to improve so that by the third to fifth day, most people are driving already. The surface healing may take several months for continued refinement.

Typically by the third to fifth day for most occupations.

Typically by the third day.

The content on this page has either authored or reviewed by Dr. Fred Mattioli.