Is PRK safer than LASIK?

The short answer is that both are safe in modern clinics. Which is 'safer' depends on your eyes and your lifestyle, not the label.

At Re:Vision in Auckland, our surgeons do laser eye surgery every day.

In this guide, we explain the ins and outs of LASIK and PRK. You’ll discover how each works and the key safety points. We also cover recovery and long-term results associated with each procedure. And finally, we go over how we decide together at our Auckland laser eye clinic on the right vision correction treatment for your goals and safety.

How PRK and LASIK work

PRK and LASIK are both forms of laser eye surgery. The aim of each procedure is the same: vision correction so you don't have to rely on glasses or contact lenses. The key difference between these two surgeries lies in how they're performed:

PRK surgery

PRK surgery is a type of refractive surgery that treats the surface of the eye. We numb your eye, fit a small lid holder, and gently remove the surface skin cells. That gives us clear access to the corneal tissue. We then reshape that tissue with an excimer laser to correct your script.

We plan the treatment from detailed scans. We take 3D corneal topography and wavefront measurements first, so the laser knows exactly how much tissue to remove and where. A high-speed eye tracker follows tiny movements so each pulse lands in the right spot. We finish by rinsing the eye and placing a soft bandage contact lens for comfort.

LASIK surgery

LASIK eye surgery is laser assisted and works a level deeper in the cornea. We numb your eye, fit a lid holder, and use a femtosecond laser to create a very thin corneal flap. We lift the flap to reach the treatment layer, and then reshape the cornea with an excimer laser to correct your vision.

We build the treatment from the same detailed scans, so the laser removes microns of tissue with precision. The tracker keeps the beam centred as you look at the target light. Once the reshaping is done, we rinse the eye and float the flap back into place so it seals naturally.

Which is the safer call?

Both PRK and LASIK are safe forms of laser vision correction when you're in qualified and experienced hands. Which one is safer for you comes down to your personal circumstances.

When PRK may be the safer call

• Thinner corneas or borderline scans: PRK treats the surface of your eye. There's no requirement for a flap. That means you can keep more corneal tissue in reserve, which can be safer if you have thin corneas.
• High-impact sport, military, or dusty work: No flap means one less thing to worry about if you catch an elbow, cop a graze, or work in grit.
• Dry-eye history or flap concerns: Surface treatment avoids a flap and can suit eyes that feel dry already or people who just prefer a flap-free option.

When LASIK may be the safer call

• Healthy thickness and stable scans: If your cornea is thick and your scans look strong, LASIK can be a good fit.
• You need vision back fast: The LASIK procedure creates a small corneal flap, treats the layer underneath, and settles quickly. Many people feel comfortable again fast and can get back to work sooner.
• Healthy tear film and low dry-eye risk: If your eyes don’t feel dry day to day and our tests look good, LASIK can be a smooth path forward.

LASIK and PRK risks compared

Both LASIK surgery and PRK surgery are low risk with good screening and good aftercare. Albeit minimal, here are some of the risks of each procedure:

LASIK risks

• Flap issues: The corneal flap can shift or wrinkle if you rub it or get a knock in the first days. We give you shields and clear care instructions so you can protect it, though.
• Dry eyes early on: The flap cuts tiny nerves, so some people feel dry or gritty for a few weeks. Drops usually fix it.
• Glare and halos at night: These often fade as the eye settles.
• Infection or inflammation: This is super rare, though not impossible. We watch closely and treat fast if anything looks off.
• Ectasia (cornea weakens and bulges): Good pre-screening avoids this. We check thickness and shape, and steer you to PRK or no surgery if risk looks high.

PRK risks

• No flap: No flap issues.
• More discomfort during the first few days: The surface needs to regrow. Expect stinging and light-sensitivity at the start.
• Haze risk: Small risk (though can be higher if you skip UV care or drops).
• Slower vision recovery: You'll need to plan more time off while things clear.
• Infection while the surface heals: While this doesn't happen often, it's still a risk to be aware of. The bandage lens shields your eye, and the antibiotic drops guard against germs.

Shared things to know

• A small number of people need a later enhancement. We will discuss this with you in detail before you decide to proceed.
• Everyone ages into reading glasses at some point. Surgery does not stop presbyopia.
• You lower every risk when you follow the plan and come to your follow-up appointments.

Recovery and time off

The healing process for LASIK and PRK procedures is different but follows clear steps:

• PRK recovery: PRK patients often feel gritty and light-sensitive for two to three days. Vision builds over the next few weeks, so plan several days off work.
• LASIK recovery: LASIK patients usually see well within 24–48 hours. Many drive in a day or two and get back to light work fast.

Results long term

Both of these modern vision correction surgeries deliver strong results once healing finishes, treating common refractive errors like short-sight, long-sight, and astigmatism:

• PRK long-term results: Most PRK patients lock in their final script by about 3–6 weeks, including comfortable night driving. Vision then stays steady for years, and only a small group needs a later touch-up if a tiny prescription creeps back.
• LASIK long-term results: Most LASIK patients completely settle by about 1–2 weeks with clear, sharp vision day and night. Dryness usually fades over the first few months, and a small number choose a touch-up years later if mild regression shows up.

Choosing between LASIK and PRK at Re:Vision

We don’t ask you to pick a surgery on the spot. We work it out with you to ensure that what you go ahead with is the best and safest option for you.

Your visit starts with a free laser assessment. You meet your eye doctor and talk through your goals and any concerns you may have. We run comprehensive testing. That includes corneal shape and thickness, pupil size, tear film, and a check that your script is stable.

We also look at your day-to-day life. Your job, any sports you play, whether you do a lot of night driving, and any dust or impact risk. We ask what matters most. For instance, fast recovery, fewer dry-eye symptoms, minimal time off, or clear night vision. Your answers help guide the choice.

Then we sit together and go over your scans. If your corneas are thin or borderline, we lean toward PRK eye surgery and will explain why a surface treatment fits better. If your corneas look healthy and thick, we may recommend LASIK and show you the evidence for that call.

You leave your appointment with one all-inclusive quote. No hidden extras. We set clear expectations for time off, when you can drive, and you also get written aftercare and our enhancement policy with the time window and criteria clearly spelled out.

Once you've had time to think about it and ask questions and you feel totally ready, we book a date that suits your calendar and recovery window.

Ready to take the first step?