PRK Eye Surgery In Portland

Visual Freedom for Everyone

Our knowledgeable team at Tersigni Vision understands how important improving your vision is to your daily life and will work hard to help you understand which laser eye surgery is right for your unique needs.

Many people believe if they are not a candidate for LASIK surgery, there is no longer hope for finding freedom from glasses or contact lenses, but at Tersigni Vision, we have years of experience in refractive surgery and know there is no one-size-fits-all approach to vision correction surgery.

Our team is committed to providing the highest quality of care and will help you understand if PRK surgery is the right solution for you.

Learn More About PRK

What is PRK eye surgery?

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a type of laser refractive eye surgery and was the first type of laser eye surgery for vision correction. PRK is used to correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism and is considered to be a safe and effective choice for vision correction.

Is PRK right for me?

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) may be a good choice for people with irregular or thin corneas and those with special lifestyle considerations. PRK offers the same corrective vision results as LASIK, but the recovery and treatment are different. We have found that many people have been told that PRK is the only other option besides LASIK. Since we offer the widest range of vision correction procedures in Oregon, we know that this is not the case.  Our team at Tersigni Vision will determine if PRK is right for you based on your eye exam and vision goals.

How Are LASIK and PRK different?

While people often compare LASIK and PRK with each other, they are very similar. They are both safe and effective procedures that use a precise laser to reshape the cornea and improve vision. One is not necessarily better than the other, but each offers benefits depending on your anatomy, vision goals and unique circumstances. With LASIK, two lasers are used in the treatment; the first laser prepares the surface of the eye for the treatment and the second laser, an excimer laser, reshapes the cornea. PRK only uses one laser; the surface is prepared with special drops, and then the excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea. In addition, the healing and recovery for PRK will take longer compared to LASIK.

Is PRK worse than LASIK?

LASIK and PRK are both great options to give exceptional, long-lasting vision for good candidates. Neither PRK nor LASIK are necessarily superior to the other  but are both excellent choices. Determining which vision correction procedure is best for you will depend on your unique eyes and circumstances.

Does PRK or LASIK last longer?

The results of both PRK and LASIK are equally effective in permanently reshaping your cornea and correcting your vision. However, refractive surgery cannot prevent your eyes from aging and some of these aging processes can affect your vision over time, but these changes are unrelated to the procedure itself. You can talk with Dr. Tersigni about specific questions you have about how aging may affect your eyes and eyesight over time.

What can I expect during my evaluation?

Patients usually learn about PRK when they come in for a Tersigni Vision Advanced Ocular Analysis. Those who are not a candidate for LASIK may learn they are good candidates for one of our other procedures, such as PRK, SMILE, EVO ICL, or RLE.

If PRK or another of our modern vision correction options is right for you, we will create a customized plan and answer any questions you may have.

What can I expect during my PRK procedure?

It is normal to be nervous on the day of your procedure. Our team with be with you every step of the way to answer your questions and make sure you feel comfortable on the day of your PRK procedure.

Before the actual procedure starts, we will administer eye numbing drops to make sure you are comfortable. Your eyelashes will be gently positioned out of the way, and Dr. Tersigni will then prepare your cornea for the treatment. The excimer laser will then be used to reshape your cornea and remove any imperfections that are causing your blurry vision. At the end of the procedure, we will place a contact lens on your eye that will protect it and keep you more comfortable while you heal. The whole procedure takes less than 15 minutes for both eyes.

What can I expect after my PRK procedure?

The recovery time after PRK is usually longer than that of LASIK. You will probably experience some discomfort in the first few days after the procedure, but we will provide you with medications to help get you. You will have regular follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing. Your results may be slow at first, and the full healing process can take up to six months; however, most patients can expect to be seeing well within a few weeks of surgery.

How can I speed up healing after PRK?

There are several things you can do to help speed the healing process after PRK. Making sure you take all of your prescribed drops is extremely important following your procedure to promote healing. Additionally, frequently lubricating your eyes with artificial tears can assist with comfort and speed of recovery.  Storing your eye drops in the refrigerator will help soothe your eyes with each use. Adequate rest is also vital to your recovery. Allowing your eyes time to rest after PRK will help speed the healing process.

How much does PRK cost in Portland?

In addition to the visual freedom that PRK laser eye surgery provides, it can also save you money in the long term! Wearing glasses and contacts is a temporary solution you have to pay for repeatedly, year after year. In many ways, it is like you are renting your vision. With PRK you can permanently correct your vision and thus “own” your vision; therefore, potentially saving thousands on glasses and contact lens costs. All of the affordable payment plans we offer for our other vision correction procedures are also available for PRK.

Can PRK be done twice?

There are several reasons why someone might have PRK more than once. The most common reasons for subsequent PRK surgeries are improving visual acuity and addressing presbyopia, which happens as we age. If you choose to have a second PRK procedure, it is normally the same as the original procedure. Your eye surgeon will assess the health of your eyes, the quality of your vision, and the thickness of your corneal tissue to determine if you are a good candidate for subsequent surgeries.

Why Do PRK instead of LASIK?

Many patients choose PRK surgery over LASIK because the PRK procedure requires less corneal tissue thickness. This is especially beneficial to those with thinner corneas, higher amounts of nearsightedness, or both.

Is PRK better for Dry Eye?

Many studies have shown that PRK is no more or less effective in reducing dry eye syndrome postoperatively than LASIK. Chronic dry eye is uncommon after PRK; however, preoperative examination of the ocular surface and tear film may help predict chronic dry eye development in PRK.

How Long Does it Take to Recover After PRK?

Recovery after PRK can take three to six months before optimum vision is attained. Some patients may require the use of prescription glasses temporarily during the healing progresses and until vision improves. As with LASIK, most patients see 20/20 or better; it just takes a little longer to get there with PRK.

Dr. Steven Tersigni is a refractive surgeon offering LASIK and five LASIK alternatives in the Portland, Oregon area. In addition to providing customized care to each of his patients, Dr. Tersigni is an educator and researcher He obtained both his medical degree and a master’s degree in public health from Tulane University. He has been published in national journals and has been involved in 10 U.S. FDA trials.