PRK Eye Surgery in India: Cost, Procedure & Recovery
What Is PRK Eye Surgery?
PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) is a surface laser eye surgery. The thin outer layer of the cornea (epithelium) is removed, and an excimer laser reshapes the tissue beneath to correct your power. There is no corneal flap, and the surface layer regrows naturally in 3 to 5 days.
PRK treats myopia up to [-6.00 D], hyperopia up to [+4.00 D] and astigmatism up to [4.00 D] At Planet LASIK, PRK eye surgery in India is performed by refractive surgeons on advanced excimer platforms, alongside SmartSurf LASIK, the no-touch Trans PRK version. Check if PRK suits your eyes
How Does PRK Eye Surgery Work?
- Epithelium removal: The thin outer layer of the cornea is gently removed.
- Laser reshaping: An excimer laser delivers precise pulses of ultraviolet light to reshape the corneal surface, correcting the refractive error.
- No flap created: Unlike LASIK, no corneal flap is created. The reshaping takes place directly on the corneal surface.
- Protective lens placed: A soft bandage contact lens is placed over the treated area to protect it while the outer layer heals.
- Natural healing: The epithelium regenerates on its own over roughly 3 to 5 days.
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Types of PRK Surgery at Planet LASIK
The variants available today differ mainly in how the epithelium (the cornea’s outer layer) is removed before laser reshaping begins.
- Standard PRK: The conventional form of PRK, in clinical use since 1995. The surgeon removes the epithelium using an alcohol solution or a surgical spatula, then the excimer laser reshapes the underlying corneal tissue. It remains a well-studied and reliable option, particularly for individuals with thin corneas or those who need a flapless procedure.
- Trans-PRK (SmartSurfACE): A no-touch version where the excimer laser handles both epithelium removal and stromal reshaping in a single automated pass. The laser removes the epithelium and reshapes the cornea without mechanical epithelial removal.
Benefits of PRK Eye Surgery
Safety benefits:
- No corneal flap, so flap-related complications do not apply.
- More corneal strength is preserved than with LASIK.
Suitability benefits:
- Often possible when the cornea is too thin for LASIK, depending on shape, power and the tissue left after treatment.
- Preferred for contact sports and high-impact jobs, since there is no flap to dislodge.
- A common choice for defence and police aspirants (check the latest medical rules for your service).
Vision quality benefits:
- Long-term visual results are similar to LASIK once healing is complete.
- Treats myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism in one procedure.
- Trans PRK (SmartSurf LASIK) is available if you want a no-touch version with a more comfortable early recovery.
Who Should Get PRK Eye Surgery?
PRK eye surgery is suitable for individuals aged 18 and above with a stable prescription (for at least 12 months) and specific corneal or lifestyle profiles that make flapless vision correction the safer choice.
You can be a suitable candidate for PRK if:
- Your cornea is too thin for LASIK but has enough tissue for surface treatment (confirmed on pachymetry)
- You are preparing for defence or armed forces medicals that require a flapless procedure.
- You participate in contact sports such as boxing, wrestling, or martial arts, where a corneal flap could be at risk of displacement.
- You were previously declined for LASIK due to thin corneas or surface irregularities.
- A prior LASIK procedure resulted in flap-related complications.
- Corneal topography shows mild surface irregularities that a standard flap approach would not address effectively.
- Your prescription was previously increasing but has now been stable for at least 12 months.
Who Should Avoid PRK
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Corneal thickness too low to leave a safe amount of tissue after treatment
- Keratoconus or progressive corneal condition
- Severe dry eye that treatment hasn’t brought under control
- Uncontrolled diabetes or autoimmune conditions affecting healing
The choice between PRK, LASIK surgery and other refractive procedures depends on corneal thickness and shape, prescription, eye health, lifestyle and other clinical factors. For very high power along with thin corneas ICL is usually the recommended alternative.
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PRK Surgery Procedure at Planet LASIK
Three phases: pre-op work-up, PRK surgery itself, and the first 24 hours.
Before PRK: Pre-Operative Tests
The work-up confirms candidacy and builds the treatment plan for your eyes. The assessment takes approximately 90 minutes.
- Visual acuity and refraction: Measures your uncorrected and corrected vision along with your exact spectacle power using both auto and manual refraction.
- Corneal topography and pachymetry (Pentacam / Orbscan): Creates a 3D map of the corneal surface to rule out keratoconus or irregularities, and measures corneal thickness to confirm PRK suitability.
- Tear film assessment: Schirmer’s or TBUT testing establishes your baseline dry-eye status before surgery.
- Dilated retinal exam: A thorough evaluation of the back of the eye to rule out any retinal concerns.
Contact lens users should discontinue soft lenses 1 to 2 weeks before testing and rigid lenses 3 to 4 weeks, so the cornea returns to its natural shape for accurate measurements.
During the PRK Procedure
- Anesthetic drops applied: Numbing drops are placed in the eye. No needles or general anesthesia is involved.
- Eyelids held open: A small speculum gently keeps the eye open throughout the procedure.
- Epithelium removed and laser reshaping: In standard PRK, the epithelium is removed mechanically or using an alcohol-assisted technique. In Trans-PRK, the laser handles this step without contact. The excimer laser then reshapes the cornea, taking roughly 30 to 60 seconds per eye.
- Bandage lens placed: A soft protective contact lens is placed over the treated surface. Both eyes are treated in one sitting, taking about 10 to 15 minutes to complete the procedure.
After PRK: The First 24 Hours
- Same-day discharge: After a brief observation period, you are cleared to go home.
- Prescribed drops begin: Post-operative antibiotic, steroid/anti-inflammatory and lubricating drops may be prescribed according to the surgeon’s protocol.
- Temporary discomfort expected: Some burning, watering, and light sensitivity are normal through the first 24 to 48 hours. This is more noticeable with PRK than LASIK due to the surface healing involved.
- Arrange for a ride home: You will not be able to drive yourself, so a companion is required.
PRK Eye Surgery Recovery Timeline
PRK recovery is slower than LASIK because the surface layer has to grow back: most people return to desk work in 5 to 7 days, and vision sharpens over 2 to 4 weeks. Long-term results are similar to LASIK.
Timeline | What to Expect |
First 24 to 72 hours | Burning, watering, light sensitivity. Vision hazy. Eyes closed and resting mostly. Prescribed drops plus painkillers handle the discomfort. That lens stays put. |
Day 3 to Day 5 | The lens comes off at the first follow-up. Vision starts noticeably clearing. Light indoor activity back on the table. |
Week 1 to Week 2 | Desk work resumes around Day 5 to Day 7. Outdoor or dusty jobs wait until Day 7 to 10. Lubricant drops carry on. Vision keeps sharpening. |
Week 3 to Month 3 | Final visual quality settles in. Routine check-ups from this point onwards. |
Risks & Side Effects of PRK Eye Surgery
PRK is among the safer laser vision correction procedures and has been used for more than three decades. Every surgery carries some risk; most PRK side effects are temporary.
- The uncomfortable first 24 to 48 hours, worse with PRK than LASIK. Prescribed painkillers manage it well.
- Temporary dry eye through the first 4 to 6 weeks. Lubricating drops solve it.
- Light sensitivity and glare during the 3-to-5-day epithelial healing window.
- Corneal haze: a PRK-specific risk that is more likely with higher corrections. Surgeons reduce it with medication during surgery (such as Mitomycin C) and steroid drops afterwards. Persistent haze is uncommon and can be treated.
- Halos and starbursts at night in the early weeks. These usually settle as the eye adjusts.
- Delayed epithelial healing in a small subset of candidates.
- Residual or recurrent refractive error may occur. Enhancements may be considered after refraction and corneal stability are confirmed.
- Infection is uncommon but can occur and requires prompt medical treatment.
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Dos and Don'ts After PRK Surgery: Aftercare Guide
Dos:
- Use antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and lubricating drops on the prescribed schedule.
- Wear dark UV sunglasses outdoors, as advised by your surgeon.
- Leave the bandage contact lens alone until your surgeon removes it.
- Rest your eyes and keep screen time short for the first few days.
- Attend every follow-up: day 3 to 5, week 1, month 1 and month 3.
Don’ts:
- Don’t rub or touch your eyes; this can shift the bandage lens.
- Avoid pools, hot tubs and steam rooms for two to three weeks.
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 2 to 4 weeks.
- Don’t use eye makeup or face creams around the eyes for at least a week.
- Don’t drive until your surgeon confirms it is safe.
When to Call Your Doctor After PRK Surgery
Some burning, watering, and hazy vision are normal in the first 48 hours. Beyond that, call your Planet LASIK surgeon the same day if any of these show up:
- Severe eye pain that prescribed medication isn’t touching
- Sudden vision drop or new blur that appears after Day 5
- Ongoing redness, discharge, or eyelid swelling
- The bandage contact lens falls out before the scheduled follow-up
- Extreme light sensitivity persisting past Day 7
- New flashes of light, floaters, or a curtain-like shadow across your vision (possible retinal issue)
PRK vs LASIK vs SmartSurf LASIK
The PRK vs LASIK question really comes down to two things: whether a flap gets made, and how the epithelium is handled. Standard LASIK makes a flap. PRK procedure strips the surface layer off entirely. SmartSurf LASIK (Trans-PRK) is the newer no-touch version where a single laser step handles both epithelium removal and stromal reshaping.
Parameter | PRK | LASIK | SmartSurf LASIK (Trans-PRK) |
Technique | Epithelium removed manually, then laser reshapes stroma | Corneal flap created, then laser reshapes stroma | Single laser step: removes epithelium and reshapes stroma |
Corneal flap | No | Yes | No |
Epithelium removal | Manual (alcohol, brush, or spatula) | Not removed (flap protects it) | Laser (no alcohol, no touch) |
Initial discomfort | Moderate (24 to 48 hours) | Minimal | Mild (24 to 48 hours) |
Vision recovery to functional | 2 to 4 weeks | 1 to 2 days | 1 to 2 weeks |
Thin corneas | Yes (450+ microns) | No | Yes (450+ microns) |
Contact sports/defence | Recommended | Not typically | Recommended |
Corneal haze risk | Slightly higher | Very low | Low |
PRK earns its slot when corneas run thin, when a flap creates a lifestyle or service problem, or when mild surface irregularities are in the mix. Every procedure in the comparison is available at Planet LASIK. Contoura Vision and SILK LASIK also come into play depending on the cornea.
Cost of PRK Eye Surgery in India
PRK eye surgery cost in India isn’t a flat number. Several things move it: how experienced the surgeon is, the laser platform used, what the diagnostics package includes, city and hospital tier, and how the follow-up plan is structured.
PRK surgery cost at Planet LASIK is approximately ₹69,000 for both eyes. The final cost is confirmed after your pre-operative evaluation.
Health insurance in India treats refractive surgery as elective, so it usually doesn’t apply. Financing through no-cost EMI does. Broader comparison across procedures sits on our LASIK pricing guide.
Why Choose Planet LASIK for PRK Surgery?
A few things worth naming plainly if you’re considering PRK eye surgery with Planet LASIK:
- Nationwide network, 95+ centres across India offering PRK and Trans-PRK.
- Advanced excimer laser platforms with real-time eye tracking.
- Both surface options on offer: standard PRK and modern Trans-PRK (SmartSurf LASIK).
- Pentacam, Orbscan, wavefront aberrometry behind every treatment plan.
- NABH-accredited facilities. Sterilisation protocols as per international standards.
- Transparent, all-inclusive pricing. No-cost EMI where you want it.
Do you want to get rid of glasses and contact lenses?
Book an appointment with Planet Lasik and live unboxed!
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PRK Eye Surgery FAQs
What is the full form of PRK surgery?
PRK stands for Photorefractive Keratectomy. It is a surface laser eye surgery in which the thin outer layer of the cornea is removed and an excimer laser reshapes the tissue beneath to correct your power.
What is the difference between PRK and LASIK?
LASIK creates a thin flap in the cornea and reshapes the tissue under it, so vision recovers within a day or two. PRK removes the surface layer instead, so there is no flap, but the surface takes 3 to 5 days to regrow and vision takes longer to sharpen. PRK suits thinner corneas and high-impact jobs or sports.
Is PRK better than LASIK?
Neither is better for everyone. PRK leaves no flap and keeps more corneal strength, so it suits thin corneas, contact sports and uniformed services. LASIK gives faster, more comfortable early recovery. Long-term visual results are similar.
Is PRK eye surgery painful?
The surgery itself is not painful because numbing drops are used. For the first 24 to 72 hours, most people feel burning, watering and light sensitivity while the surface heals. Prescribed drops, pain relief and the bandage contact lens keep this manageable.
What is the recovery time after PRK?
The surface layer regrows in 3 to 5 days, when the bandage lens is removed. Most people return to desk work in 5 to 7 days. Vision keeps sharpening for 2 to 4 weeks, and final quality settles by about 3 months.
Who is a good candidate for PRK?
Adults over 18 with stable power for 12 months, whose corneas are thin or irregular for LASIK, or who play contact sports or are preparing for uniformed services. Your surgeon confirms suitability after topography and pachymetry.
What is the difference between PRK and Trans PRK?
In standard PRK, the surgeon removes the surface layer with alcohol or a fine instrument. In Trans PRK (SmartSurf LASIK at Planet LASIK), the laser removes the surface layer and corrects the power in one step, so nothing touches the eye.
Is PRK safe?
Yes. PRK has been used since the late 1980s and the first excimer laser for PRK was approved by the US FDA in 1995. The main PRK-specific risk is corneal haze, which is uncommon with modern lasers and preventive medication.
How much does PRK eye surgery cost in India?
At Planet LASIK, PRK costs approximately Rs 69,000 for both eyes. The final cost is confirmed after your pre-operative evaluation. No-cost EMI is available, and insurance usually does not cover it.
Can PRK be done after LASIK?
Yes. PRK is often used to fine-tune vision after previous LASIK, or when a LASIK flap has had complications, because it treats the surface without lifting the flap.
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