Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a type of refractive surgery. This kind of surgery uses a laser to treat vision problems caused by refractive errors. You have a refractive error when your eye does not refract (bend) light properly.

PRK is a laser surgery that’s designed to remove the need for glasses. It has a long history and is the oldest form of laser eye surgery. It involves removing the endothelium, or the surface of the skin of the eye, and then the cornea is then reshaped by using an excimer laser.

After PRK, because the epithelium, or the skin of the eye, has been removed, a bandage contact lens needs to be placed on the eye. Otherwise, a patient will be in extreme pain.