NV Eye Surgery — PRK Laser Vision Correction
Told You Are Not
a LASIK Candidate? There Is PRK.
PRK reshapes the cornea with the same excimer laser used for LASIK, but without creating a flap. For thinner corneas and for eyes already prone to dryness, that difference matters.
- No corneal flap, so no flap-related complications
- Lower risk of dry eye because corneal nerves are not cut
- A simpler procedure than LASIK, with a longer visual recovery
Is This Right for You?
Am I a Candidate for PRK Laser Vision Correction?
PRK is often recommended after a LASIK evaluation rather than instead of one. The measurements that rule out LASIK are frequently the same ones that point toward PRK.
PRK is a strong option for eyes that LASIK may not treat safely. If your cornea is too thin to support a flap, or you already have dry eye symptoms that are not well controlled, PRK removes the two mechanisms that cause the most trouble in those eyes. Dr. DeBry evaluates PRK, LASIK, and EVO ICL at the same consultation, using corneal thickness measurements and topographic mapping rather than a preference for one procedure.
The Procedure
What Is PRK Laser Vision Correction?
With PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy, the cornea is sculpted with an excimer laser to correct the focusing error that makes glasses necessary. The thin skin covering the cornea, called the epithelium, is removed first so the laser can reach the surface directly. Over the next three to four days that epithelium grows back and smooths over. PRK is a simpler procedure than LASIK, and because no flap is created, an entire category of complication simply does not apply. The trade-off is time: vision is not fully clear until the epithelium has healed completely.
Removing the Epithelium
The thin skin covering the cornea is gently removed so the laser can reach the corneal surface. No flap is created and no corneal nerves are cut.
Reshaping With the Excimer Laser
Ultraviolet light at 193 nanometers, delivered in ten-nanosecond pulses, breaks the chemical bonds in corneal collagen and ablates tissue with no heat.
Computer-Guided Sculpting
A computer guides thousands of overlapping laser spots into a pattern that flattens or steepens the cornea, bending light differently so it focuses correctly.
Bandage Contact Lens
A soft bandage lens protects the surface while the epithelium regrows over three to four days. Do not rub the eye, which can displace it.
Patient Reviews
Understanding the Difference
PRK Compared With LASIK
Both procedures use the same excimer laser to reshape the same tissue, and both have a success record going back more than 15 years. The difference is entirely in how the laser reaches the cornea, and that single difference changes recovery, comfort, and which eyes qualify.
PRK
Surface treatment, no flap, slower visual recovery
- A simpler procedure with less potential for certain complications
- Corneal nerves are not cut, so less chance of dry eye afterward
- Suitable for thinner corneas that cannot support a flap
- Nothing that can be displaced by later trauma to the eye
- More discomfort, because corneal nerves are exposed
- Vision is not fully clear until the epithelium heals in three to four days
Broader Candidacy
LASIK
Flap-based treatment with same-week return to normal
- Vision clears far faster, usually within 24 to 48 hours
- Considerably less discomfort during the first days
- Most patients return to work in one to two days
- Contoura Vision topography-guided planning available
- Requires adequate corneal thickness for the flap
- Cut corneal nerves mean a higher chance of temporary dry eye
Fastest Recovery
EVO ICL
An implanted lens instead of laser reshaping
- Leaves the cornea untouched, so corneal thickness is not a limit
- Corrects myopia to -20.0 diopters, well beyond laser range
- Removable if your needs change
- An intraocular procedure rather than a surface one
- Not approved in the United States to treat farsightedness
No Corneal Surgery
Neither procedure is better in the abstract. Corneal thickness and dry eye history determine which one is safer for your eyes, and that is measured at your consultation.
Step by Step
Your PRK Laser Vision Correction Journey
PRK asks for more patience in the first week than LASIK does. Knowing the timeline in advance makes that week considerably easier.
1
Evaluation
- Full eye health examination and corneal mapping
- Corneal thickness measured to compare PRK against LASIK
- Dry eye status assessed before anything is scheduled
- ICL discussed as an alternative for higher prescriptions
- Prescription stability confirmed
2
Choosing Your Schedule
- One eye at a time is the safest sequence
- Same-day treatment of both eyes requires an extra consent form
- Plan for blurry vision during the first day or two
- Avoid booking meetings or travel for several days afterward
- Arrange a driver for the day of surgery
3
Procedure Day
- Numbing drops applied, no needles used
- Epithelium removed and the excimer laser applied
- A bandage contact lens is placed to protect the surface
- Antibiotic drops started to prevent infection
- You go home the same day
4
Healing
- Epithelium regrows over three to four days
- More discomfort than LASIK while corneal nerves are exposed
- Vision clears as the surface becomes smooth again
- Post-operative care included for up to six months
- Enhancements free during the first 12 months
What to Expect
Expected PRK Laser Vision Correction Outcomes & Recovery
The first three to four days are the part people ask about. Set expectations for that window and the rest of PRK recovery is straightforward.
What Patients Can Expect in the First 30 Days
- Do not rub your eyes, which can displace the bandage contact lens
- Bathe and shower normally, just keep soap and water out of the eyes
- Avoid visually demanding tasks for the first several days
- Stay out of swimming pools and hot tubs for a few weeks
- Plan on blurry vision for the first day or two while healing begins
- Skip important meetings or travel for at least a few days
Informed Care
Safety & Risk Considerations
PRK carries the same broad safety record as LASIK, built over more than 15 years of use, with treatments and technology improving each year. Every eye responds a little differently, and Dr. DeBry reviews the specific risks for your eyes before scheduling anything.
Safety Profile
- A simpler procedure than LASIK, with less potential for several complications
- No flap is created, so flap displacement and flap-related problems cannot occur
- Corneal nerves stay intact, lowering the chance of persistent dry eye
- Antibiotic drops are used throughout healing to prevent infection
- Pre-operative testing and candidacy screening are used specifically to prevent corneal ectasia
Possible Side Effects
- More discomfort than LASIK during the first days, because corneal nerves are exposed once the epithelium is removed
- Stromal haze, a slight cloudiness where the cornea heals, which in most cases does not meaningfully affect vision quality
- Glare or halos at night, more likely with larger corrections and larger pupils
- Infection, with a risk under 1 in 1,000 even though the protective surface is temporarily removed
- Over-correction or under-correction, addressed with an enhancement after at least three months of healing
- Temporary dry eye symptoms, which can last up to three months and are managed with artificial tears
- Corneal ectasia, a weakening of the cornea that can occur in a small number of eyes. Pre-operative testing helps prevent it.
How We Minimize Risk
Careful Pre-Operative Testing
Corneal thickness measurement and topographic mapping are what prevent ectasia, the weakening of corneal structure that thinning can cause in some eyes.
Bandage Lens and Antibiotic Coverage
A soft bandage contact lens protects the surface while the epithelium regrows, and antibiotic drops run throughout that window to guard against infection.
Staged Treatment When Possible
Treating one eye at a time lets Dr. DeBry review the first result and adjust laser power before the second eye. It is the safer sequence when your schedule allows it.
Why NV EYE SURGERY
Why Have PRK at NV Eye Surgery
The practices worth considering for PRK are the ones that offer it as a genuine recommendation rather than a consolation prize.
All Four Procedures Offered
LASIK, PRK, EVO ICL, and refractive lens exchange are all performed here, so the recommendation follows your corneal measurements rather than the equipment on hand.
Corneal Subspecialty Training
Dr. DeBry completed a fellowship in corneal, external disease, and refractive surgery at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, one of four physicians selected nationally that year.
Same Enhancement Policy
PRK carries the same terms as our other refractive procedures: enhancements included for 12 months, then a reduced fee that steps down each year afterward.
Our Team
Meet Your Surgeon
Surface laser vision correction at NV Eye Surgery is performed by a fellowship-trained corneal and refractive surgeon, with pre-operative testing and follow-up care handled by our clinical team in Henderson and Northwest Las Vegas.
Find Us
PRK Laser Vision Correction in Henderson & Las Vegas
PRK consultations and follow-up visits at both Southern Nevada offices.
Coverage & Financing
Cost & Insurance
PRK is priced the same way as our other refractive procedures: one fee, quoted at consultation, with the same no-hassle structure as our other refractive procedures.
Insurance and Payment
PRK is elective vision correction, which places it outside both medical and vision insurance coverage in nearly all cases.
- Our office is not a provider on vision insurance plans
- Ask your employer benefits coordinator about any refractive surgery discount
- Self-pay accepted as cash, check, credit card, or money order
- CareCredit financing available through our office
What the Fee Includes
The same no-hassle pricing structure that applies to LASIK and ICL, built so you can compare us against another practice on equal terms.
- Consultation and all candidacy testing
- Laser fees included, not billed separately
- Post-operative care for up to six months
- Free enhancements in the first 12 months, then 60% off year two, 40% year three, 20% year four, 15% from year five
Flexible financing available. We work with CareCredit to offer low- and no-interest payment plans for care not covered by insurance. Ask about your options at your visit. Results may vary. Individual results are not guaranteed. Financing subject to credit approval. See office for complete terms and conditions.
locationsCommon Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What patients ask once PRK comes up as the recommendation instead of LASIK.
Why would I have PRK instead of LASIK?
Usually because your cornea is too thin to safely support a flap, or because you already have dry eye symptoms that cutting corneal nerves would worsen. PRK removes both of those problems. It is also the better choice if your work or sport carries a real risk of blunt trauma to the eye.
How long until my vision is clear?
Longer than with LASIK. Vision is not fully improved until the epithelium has grown back over the cornea and become smooth again, which takes three to four days. Plan on blurry vision for the first day or two, and avoid scheduling anything important that week.
Is PRK more painful?
It is less comfortable than LASIK in the first days, and that is expected. Removing the epithelium exposes the nerves in the cornea, which is why discomfort happens. Because PRK doesn’t cut a flap, those nerves stay intact, which is why dry eye is less of a problem afterward.
What is stromal haze?
The cornea is remarkably clear tissue, and any injury to it can produce scar tissue that clouds the area. PRK is a very mild trauma, so some patients develop a slight haze. In most cases it has no real impact on vision quality. Extensive haze is unusual, and severe scarring would be rare.
What can I not do after PRK?
The important one is not rubbing your eyes, which can displace the bandage contact lens. Otherwise there are very few restrictions. Bathe and shower as normal, keep soap out of your eyes, skip visually demanding tasks for a few days, and stay out of pools and hot tubs for a few weeks.
Can I have both eyes treated the same day?
Yes, with an additional consent form. Two separate days is the safer option, because it lets Dr. DeBry assess the first eye and make small laser power adjustments before the second. The risk of a severe problem affecting both eyes, such as infection, is very rare.
Ready When You Are
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Most patients see results within 24 hours. Consultations are available at all four locations, online scheduling takes less than two minutes.
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