PRK surgery for myopia in Paris
PRK corrects myopia by reshaping the cornea at its surface, without creating a flap. It is the technique chosen when the cornea is too thin for LASIK, or when a person’s way of life exposes the eye to knocks. Assessment at the Cachan practice, surgery at the Clinique Laser Victor Hugo (Paris 16e).
HOW IT WORKS
PRK for myopia: what it corrects
Photorefractive keratectomy removes the thin surface layer of cells on the cornea — the epithelium — then reshapes the cornea with an excimer laser. The epithelium regrows naturally within a few days. No deep incision is made, which is what sets PRK apart from LASIK.
It corrects myopia and any associated astigmatism. How much can be corrected depends on the corneal thickness measured at the assessment, not on a general threshold.
Trans-PRK, the no-touch variant
In trans-PRK, the laser removes the epithelium itself: no instrument touches the cornea. Published data comparing trans-PRK with alcohol-assisted PRK show similar refractive outcomes, with differences in comfort and early healing.
INDICATION
Why PRK rather than LASIK?
- A thin cornea — LASIK uses up thickness for the flap; PRK does not.
- An irregular cornea or suspected subclinical keratoconus on topography.
- Contact sports, jobs with a risk of impact — with no flap, there is no risk of flap displacement after a blow.
- Pre-existing dry eye — PRK severs fewer corneal nerve fibres.
This is not a fallback choice or a second-rate technique: it is the right technique for certain corneas. The assessment decides.
OÙ
Where your PRK takes place
- Pre-operative assessment : Cachan practice, 1 Ter Rue Camille Desmoulins, 94230 Cachan (tel. +33 1 45 47 08 11), or Cabinet ophtalmologique Sorbonne Saint-Michel in Paris 5e.
- Surgery : Clinique Laser Victor Hugo, Paris 16e.
- Follow-up : Cachan practice.
RECOVERY
The first seven days, day by day
Day 0 — the day of surgery
A few minutes per eye, under anaesthetic drops. A bandage contact lens is fitted to protect the cornea while it heals.
Days 1 to 3 — the uncomfortable phase
This is the most uncomfortable phase: a gritty sensation, watering, sensitivity to light. It is expected and temporary. Pain relief is prescribed in advance.
Days 3 to 5 — the bandage lens comes out
The epithelium has closed. Vision becomes usable, though not yet stable.
Day 7 onwards
Vision keeps sharpening over several weeks. Long-term PRK outcomes are documented in follow-up studies spanning 13 to 19 years.
Getting back behind the wheel
Driving may resume as soon as the visual acuity of the better-corrected eye reaches the legal threshold, 5/10 for a category B licence. After PRK, that threshold is usually reached between day 3 and day 7. A check-up at the practice confirms it.
PRICE
How much does PRK cost in Paris?
PRK is charged at 2,500 € for both eyes : 600 € clinic fee and 1,900 € surgeon’s fees.
What the package includes
The procedure, the bandage contact lens, the first month’s follow-up consultations and any medically justified enhancement within the first six months.
What is billed separately
The pre-operative assessment and the post-operative eye drops.
Cover by your private health insurer
Refractive surgery is not reimbursed by French social security. Most private health insurers provide a “refractive surgery” allowance, 200 to 1,000 € per eye depending on the policy. The itemised quotation given to you at the consultation lets you approach your own insurer — and also your spouse’s, or your employer’s group policy, if you are covered by it. Total reimbursement cannot exceed the actual expense.
Payment methods
Bank card, cash, cheque or bank transfer. A paid invoice is always provided. The surgeon’s fees may be settled in 3 cheques, on dates agreed at the consultation.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is PRK painful?
The first three days are uncomfortable: a gritty sensation, watering, sensitivity to light. Pain relief is prescribed before surgery. This discomfort is temporary.
How long before I see properly again?
Vision becomes usable between day 3 and day 7, once the bandage contact lens is removed, then sharpens over several weeks.
Does PRK give the same results as LASIK?
Long-term follow-up studies comparing PRK, LASIK and SMILE report similar refractive outcomes. What differs markedly is the speed of recovery: slower after PRK.
Why am I being offered PRK rather than LASIK?
Most often because the thickness or regularity of your cornea does not allow a flap to be created safely. It is a decision based on your measurements, not a preference.
Can both eyes be treated on the same day?
Yes, that is standard practice. It does mean planning the first three days accordingly.
Is PRK reimbursed?
Not by French social security. Most private health insurers provide an allowance of 200 to 1,000 € per eye depending on the policy.
Is a sick note issued?
No: refractive surgery is an elective procedure. The few days away from screens are taken as annual or time-off leave.
SOURCES
Scientific sources
Transparency note. References validated via NCBI E-utilities on 29 August 2026.
- Vestergaard AH, Hjortdal JØ, Ivarsen A, et al. Long-term outcomes of photorefractive keratectomy for low to high myopia: 13 to 19 years of follow-up. J Refract Surg. 2013;29(5):312-319. PMID: 23659229
- Taneri S, Knepper J, Rost A, Dick HB. Long-term outcomes of PRK, LASIK and SMILE. Ophthalmologe. 2022;119(2):163-169. PMID: 34241701
- Antonios R, Abdul Fattah M, Arba Mosquera S, et al. Single-step transepithelial versus alcohol-assisted photorefractive keratectomy in the treatment of high myopia. Br J Ophthalmol. 2017;101(8):1106-1112. PMID: 27941045
- Hashemi H, Miraftab M, Ghaffari R, Asgari S. Comparison of transepithelial and conventional photorefractive keratectomy in myopic and myopic astigmatism patients. BMC Ophthalmol. 2022;22(1):68. PMID: 35148689
Further reading
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Cachan practice — 1 Ter Rue Camille Desmoulins, 94230 Cachan — +33 1 45 47 08 11
Medical disclaimer
This page is for information only and does not replace a medical consultation.
Eligibility for surgery, its expected benefits and its risks are assessed individually at the consultation. The fees shown are those charged at the practice and may change; only the written quotation issued after the assessment is binding.