Refractive surgery corrects visual defects such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, helping patients enjoy clear vision without glasses or contact lenses. Among the most common procedures are LASIK, TransPRK, and PRK, each offering excellent results but differing in recovery speed and postoperative comfort.
🔍 Speed of Visual Recovery
The graph below shows how average visual acuity improves over time after each procedure:
- LASIK (red): recovery is very fast. Most patients regain functional vision as early as Day 1 after surgery, with near-100% visual acuity within a few days.
- TransPRK (orange): recovery is gradual. Vision improves significantly within a week (Day 7) and continues to stabilize during the first month.
- PRK (blue): recovery is slower but equally effective. Vision improves steadily over several weeks, reaching optimal acuity between Month 1 and Month 6.
💡 Key Takeaways
All three techniques deliver excellent long-term visual outcomes.
The main differences lie in how quickly vision recovers and the comfort level during healing.
The choice of the most suitable procedure depends on your corneal profile, lifestyle, and your surgeon’s expert recommendation.