PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) has been also termed “Lasik without a flap”. It is primarily offered to patients whom are poor candidates for Lasik due to corneal curvature or corneal thickness issues. PRK is equally effective as Lasik with long-term results being equal. With the PRK procedure, no flap is made on the cornea. The outside layer of cells (epithelium) on the cornea is removed with a soft bristle rotating brush. The laser then reshapes the cornea to the desired correction in the same manner as the Lasik procedure. A soft contact lens is then placed on the cornea to function as a bandage. It remains in place 24 hours-a-day for 3 to 4 days until the epithelium heals over completely, then it is removed. It generally takes about one week for visual function to return to normal. Eye drops are used post-operatively for 12 weeks to control the healing process.