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Flap-free laser vision correction · Fort Worth (Alliance) & Colleyville
PRK Laser Eye Surgery in Fort Worth, TX
PRK laser eye surgery in Fort Worth corrects your vision without creating a corneal flap. Dr. David Truong, a fellowship-trained cornea and refractive surgeon, performs PRK on the Alcon WaveLight PLUS platform. It is often the better choice for thinner corneas, dry eye tendencies, or jobs and sports where an eye injury is more likely.
PRK at Azure Eye Center
- ✓No corneal flap; the surface layer regrows
- ✓Alcon WaveLight PLUS laser platform
- ✓Performed by cornea specialist Dr. David Truong
- ✓Pre- and post-op care with Dr. Samantha Reynolds, OD
- ✓Evaluated at a free LASIK consultation
What is PRK?
PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) is laser eye surgery that reshapes the surface of the cornea without creating a flap. The thin outer layer of the cornea is removed, an excimer laser corrects your prescription, and the surface layer grows back over several days. Recovery is slower than LASIK, but final results are similar.
PRK was the first form of laser vision correction and is still widely used. Because it leaves no flap, it keeps more of the cornea's structure intact, which is why surgeons often prefer it for certain corneas and lifestyles.
Candidacy
Who is PRK best for?
PRK is often recommended when a flap is a poor fit for your corneas or your life. Your corneal measurements and history decide whether PRK or LASIK is the safer choice.
- ✓Thin corneas. PRK uses less corneal depth because no flap is made.
- ✓Irregular or borderline topography. When corneal mapping is not clearly normal, a flap-free approach may be preferred.
- ✓A tendency toward dry eye. PRK may be gentler on dry eye for some patients.
- ✓Contact sports and high-impact work. Military, law enforcement, firefighters, and athletes avoid the small long-term risk of a flap being dislodged.
- ✓Surgeon preference. Some eyes are simply better served without a flap, and your surgeon will explain why.
The general rules for laser vision correction still apply: a stable prescription, healthy eyes, and not being pregnant or nursing. Try our laser vision self-test for a quick first check.
Compare
PRK vs. LASIK: what is the difference?
PRK and LASIK reshape the cornea with the same kind of laser. The difference is how the surgeon reaches the tissue, which changes recovery, not the final result for most patients.
| PRK | LASIK | |
|---|---|---|
| Corneal flap | No flap; the surface layer is removed and regrows | A thin flap is created, lifted, and laid back |
| Discomfort | Moderate for the first 2–4 days | Mild, usually for a few hours |
| Visual recovery | Functional vision in about a week; sharpens over weeks to months | Most see well within about 24 hours |
| Final results | Similar to LASIK for most patients | Similar to PRK for most patients |
| Often best for | Thin or irregular corneas, dry eye tendency, contact sports, high-impact jobs | Healthy corneas of adequate thickness and a faster return to routine |
If neither laser procedure suits your eyes, EVO ICL or refractive lens exchange may be options. See all choices on our vision correction overview.
Surgery day
How is PRK performed?
PRK takes only minutes per eye, you stay awake, and you go home the same day. Numbing drops keep the treatment itself comfortable.
Numbing drops
Your eye is numbed with drops, and a small lid holder keeps you from blinking.
Surface layer removed
The thin outer layer of the cornea, called the epithelium, is gently removed.
Laser reshaping
The excimer laser on the WaveLight PLUS platform reshapes the corneal surface to your measurements.
Bandage lens and home
A clear bandage contact lens protects the eye while it heals. Someone must drive you home.
Recovery
How long does PRK recovery take?
Plan on about a week for functional vision, with sharpening that continues over weeks to months. Everyone heals at a different pace, so these timelines are a guide.
- ✓Days 1–4. Discomfort, watering, and light sensitivity are most noticeable now and usually ease after the first few days. Use your prescribed drops and rest.
- ✓First several days. The bandage contact lens stays in while the surface layer regrows, then it is removed at a follow-up visit.
- ✓About one week. Many patients have functional vision for daily tasks. You are told when it is safe to drive.
- ✓Weeks to months. Vision keeps sharpening as the surface smooths out. Follow your instructions on drops and sun protection, and keep your check-ups with Dr. Samantha Reynolds.
Risks
What are the risks of PRK?
PRK avoids flap-related problems, but it has its own tradeoffs. Most side effects are temporary, and your surgeon reviews your personal risk before you decide.
Slower, less comfortable recovery
The first few days are more uncomfortable than LASIK, and clear vision takes longer to arrive. Plan time off accordingly.
Corneal haze
A faint haze can form as the surface heals. It is usually mild and fades over time; following your drop and sun-protection instructions matters.
Dry eye, glare, and halos
Dry eyes and halos around lights at night can occur early on and usually improve. Some patients need a small enhancement if a prescription remains.
Cost & financing
How much does PRK cost in Fort Worth?
PRK cost depends on your prescription, the care included before and after surgery, and the enhancement policy. Your exact price is given in writing at your consultation.
Your written quote spells out what is included, such as pre-operative testing, the surgery, and your post-operative visits. PRK involves a few more follow-up visits in the first week than LASIK, so ask how those are covered. Our guide to laser vision correction cost in Fort Worth explains what to compare.
Payment options include CareCredit, ALPHAEON Credit, and Cherry payment plans, and promotional plans may be available for qualified applicants. See financing at Azure Eye Center.
Your surgeon
Why have PRK with a cornea specialist?
The patients who are steered toward PRK often have corneas that need a closer look. Dr. David Truong completed fellowship training in cornea and refractive surgery at the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA.
He is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, treats corneal disease including keratoconus, and has published research on it. That background helps when deciding whether a borderline cornea is safe for PRK, or whether corneal cross-linking or a lens-based option is the better path.
Because he performs LASIK, PRK, Contoura, EVO ICL, and RLE, his recommendation is based on your eyes. Meet Dr. Truong.
PRK for Fort Worth and Northeast Tarrant County
Azure Eye Center has two offices, both reached at (817) 886-4600. Dr. Reynolds sees patients at both, which helps during the extra follow-up visits PRK needs in the first week.
Fort Worth office details →
Colleyville office details →
PRK FAQs
PRK questions from Fort Worth patients
Is PRK as good as LASIK?
For most patients, final vision after PRK is similar to LASIK. The main differences are the path there: PRK has no flap, a slower recovery, and more discomfort in the first few days. For people with thinner corneas or high-impact jobs, PRK can be the safer choice. At Azure Eye Center in Fort Worth, Dr. Truong recommends PRK or LASIK based on your corneal measurements.
Does PRK hurt?
The treatment itself is not usually painful because numbing drops are used. Afterward, most patients have moderate discomfort, watering, and light sensitivity for the first two to four days while the surface layer regrows. A bandage contact lens, prescribed drops, and rest help. Discomfort usually eases noticeably once the surface has healed and the bandage lens is removed.
How long does PRK recovery take?
Most patients have functional vision for daily tasks in about a week, and vision continues to sharpen over the following weeks to months. The bandage contact lens usually stays in for several days. Healing varies from person to person, so your follow-up visits at Azure Eye Center track your progress and set your timeline for driving, work, and exercise.
When can I drive after PRK?
You need someone to drive you home on surgery day and usually to your first follow-up visits. Many patients can drive within about a week, but only after your doctor confirms your vision meets the legal standard. Night driving may take longer to feel comfortable because glare and halos can linger while the cornea finishes healing.
Why would a surgeon recommend PRK instead of LASIK?
Common reasons include corneas that are too thin for a flap, corneal maps that are irregular or borderline, a tendency toward dry eye, and jobs or sports with a higher risk of eye injury, such as military service, law enforcement, or contact sports. Dr. Truong, a cornea specialist in Fort Worth, explains which factors apply to you at your evaluation.
How much does PRK cost in Fort Worth?
PRK cost depends on your prescription, the pre-operative testing and follow-up visits included, and the enhancement policy. Azure Eye Center gives you an exact quote in writing at your consultation rather than an advertised starting price. Financing is available through CareCredit, ALPHAEON Credit, and Cherry, and promotional plans may be available for qualified applicants.
Can PRK correct astigmatism?
Yes. PRK can treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, just like LASIK, because the same type of excimer laser reshapes the cornea. Very high prescriptions or certain corneal shapes may be better suited to EVO ICL or another option. Your corneal mapping at Azure Eye Center determines the right approach for your eyes.
Are PRK results permanent?
The reshaping of the cornea is permanent, but your eyes keep aging. Most people need reading glasses in their 40s because of presbyopia, and cataracts usually develop later in life. Some patients have a small change in prescription over time, and an enhancement may be possible if the cornea allows. Dr. Truong reviews what to expect for your age before surgery.
Related pages
Find out whether PRK or LASIK fits your eyes
Start with a free LASIK consultation. Dr. Truong reviews your corneal measurements and tells you whether LASIK, PRK, or another option is the safer choice, with your quote in writing.
This page is for general education and does not replace a medical exam. PRK results and recovery times vary, and not everyone is a candidate. Your eligibility, risks, and expected results are determined by a complete eye examination with Dr. Truong at Azure Eye Center.