A Clear Vision Guide | PRK in Calgary with Dr. Ryan Yau

What this guide does

Clear guidance. No pressure.

This guide helps you understand how PRK works, who it may be for, what recovery can feel like, how pricing is reviewed, and why the consultation matters. It is educational only; your candidacy can only be determined after a comprehensive eye examination and consultation.

A note before you read This guide is for general education only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Whether PRK or another vision correction option is appropriate for you can only be determined after a comprehensive eye examination and consultation with a qualified physician.

1 Candidacy first

PRK is not right for everyone. The consultation exists to determine whether it fits your eyes, or whether another option is safer or more suitable.

2 Recovery explained honestly

PRK has a real early recovery period. You should understand the downtime, the discomfort, and the day-to-day variability before choosing it.

3 A surgeon-led conversation

Dr. Yau evaluates your candidacy, reviews the trade-offs, and can recommend against PRK if that is the right answer for you.

How vision works

Clear vision depends on where light lands.

When everything is working, light passes through the cornea and lens and focuses precisely on the retina at the back of the eye. When the eye does not focus light correctly, you get a refractive error.

01 Light enters the eye

The cornea and lens work together to bend light toward the retina.

02 The retina receives the image

When light lands in the right place, the brain receives a sharper picture.

03 Refractive error changes the focus

PRK may be used to correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism in appropriate candidates.

Open a condition to see what it usually feels like.

Myopia

You can see nearby objects clearly, but distant objects appear blurry.

Difficulty reading road signs
Blurry distance vision
Squinting to see clearly

Hyperopia

You can usually see distant objects clearly, but nearby objects are harder to focus on.

Eye strain after reading
Headaches
Difficulty with close-up tasks

Astigmatism

The cornea has an irregular shape, causing light to focus unevenly on the retina.

Blurred vision at all distances
Eye fatigue
Halos or glare around lights

Presbyopia

A natural, age-related loss of near vision that typically begins after 40.

Holding reading material farther away
Eye strain during close work
Needing reading glasses

What PRK actually is

A no-flap laser vision correction procedure.

PRK stands for photorefractive keratectomy. It reshapes the cornea so light can focus more accurately on the retina, reducing dependence on glasses or contact lenses for appropriate candidates.

Surface The epithelium is removed.

The thin outer layer of the cornea is gently removed before laser treatment.

Laser The cornea is reshaped.

An excimer laser reshapes the cornea underneath so light can focus more accurately.

Protection A contact lens supports healing.

A protective contact lens is placed while the surface regenerates over the next few days.

Trade-off More early recovery. No flap.

PRK typically involves more early discomfort and blur than LASIK, but no corneal flap is created.

Dr. Ryan Yau looking through PRK laser equipment

Real procedure environment PRK is precise, prepared, and closely guided.

The procedure happens with your eye numbed, the laser aligned, and the team focused on keeping the treatment controlled from start to finish.

Is PRK for me?

PRK may be a fit when the no-flap approach makes sense for your eyes and lifestyle.

PRK may be used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism in appropriate candidates. It does not prevent the natural age-related near-vision changes that cause presbyopia.

Stable prescription and healthy corneas with enough tissue to work with.
Active lifestyle, safety-critical work, or corneal factors where a no-flap option may be preferred.
Willingness to plan for several days of downtime and visual fluctuation.
Openness to another recommendation if PRK is not the best fit.

Candidacy matrix Four inputs shape the recommendation.

Cornea

Shape, thickness, and surface health determine whether laser vision correction is appropriate.

Vision

Your prescription, stability, and visual goals set the clinical guardrails.

Life

Work, sport, travel, dryness risk, and tolerance for downtime all affect the best fit.

Recovery

PRK can be a strong option when the no-flap approach is worth the early recovery trade-off.

May be considered for People who value a no-flap option.

Active lifestyles, athletics, or contact-risk work
Safety-critical careers such as police, fire, military, aviation, or emergency response
Healthcare and surgical professionals who use loupes, headlights, or scopes
Long-term thinkers who want a recommendation based on eye health and lifestyle

May not be right if Another option would be safer.

Your prescription is still changing
Your corneas are too thin or irregular
You have significant dry eye disease
You want the fastest path with minimal downtime

The procedure landscape

PRK, LASIK, and SMILE are not the same decision.

Each procedure is designed to reduce dependence on glasses or contacts, but the cornea is treated differently. Dr. Yau's recommendation is based on your prescription, corneal shape and thickness, eye health, lifestyle, recovery expectations, and long-term visual goals.

No-flap approach

PRK

The surface layer of the cornea is gently removed, then the laser reshapes the cornea underneath. Recovery usually involves more early discomfort and blur, but no corneal flap is created.

Faster early vision

LASIK

LASIK involves creating a thin corneal flap before laser reshaping. Early visual recovery is often faster, but flap-related considerations and dry eye risk should be discussed.

Different candidacy

SMILE and other options

SMILE, refractive lens exchange, or another procedure may be more appropriate depending on your eyes. The consultation is where that decision gets made.

Why Dr. Yau performs PRK Dr. Yau performs PRK because he believes it is the safest option for many patients after proper clinical assessment. His recommendation is based on prescription, corneal shape and thickness, eye health, lifestyle, recovery expectations, and long-term visual goals.

Recovery timeline

What PRK recovery can actually look like.

Recovery is not identical for every patient. Some people heal quickly. Others take more time. Your prescription, your eyes, and the way your body heals can all affect the experience.

Days 1-2 Rest and protect your eyes.

Light sensitivity, very blurry vision, tearing, and mild to moderate discomfort are common. Rest in a dark room, avoid screens and reading, wear sunglasses, and do not drive.

Days 3-4 Starting to turn the corner.

Light sensitivity may still be present. Vision may begin improving, and discomfort is often less than in the first couple of days. Keep following the aftercare plan.

Day 5 Protective lens removal.

You return to the office to have the contact lens removed. Vision may feel worse for a few hours as your eye adjusts, then typically begins improving again.

Week 1 Fluctuation is normal.

Some patients heal almost immediately. Others take extra time. Do not drive until you have been cleared to do so.

Weeks 2-4+ Getting back to normal.

Vision continues to improve. Some fluctuation can still happen, especially later in the day or when your eyes are tired.

Months 2-3 Vision continues settling.

Vision continues to stabilize. Night vision symptoms such as glare or halos may continue improving during this period. Follow-ups help confirm healing is on track.

Asymmetry One eye may heal faster.

If one eye heals faster than the other, that does not automatically mean something is wrong. Healing is not perfectly symmetric, and the team monitors your progress.

Aftercare and protection Recovery is planned before you leave the clinic.

The team reviews drops, instructions, sunglasses, ride-home plans, and the first few days of rest so the recovery period is expected rather than surprising.

Dr. Ryan Yau with a PRK patient wearing protective sunglasses after treatment

Consultation pathway Testing first. Recommendation second.

01

Prepare your eyes

Contact lens timing helps make the diagnostic picture more accurate.

02

Map candidacy

The team completes testing before Dr. Yau reviews your options with you.

03

Choose with clarity

You leave with a recommendation, price review, and next-step options.

The consultation

The safest next step is a conversation, not a commitment.

Your initial consultation is a clinical conversation. Dr. Yau reviews your candidacy, answers your questions, and discusses the trade-offs directly.

Soft contact lenses are usually left out for 3-5 days before consultation.
Hard contact lenses or RGP lenses are usually left out for 2 weeks.
The team reviews diagnostic testing, pricing, financing, and what your quoted price includes.
If PRK is not right for you, Dr. Yau will explain what may be.

Testing What the consultation includes

Medical and vision history
Corneal mapping and corneal thickness
Prescription measurement
Dry eye assessment

Decision-making Your time, not a sales appointment

A candid discussion of whether PRK fits your eyes
Direct answers to your questions
Pricing, financing, and quote details
No obligation to book surgery

Procedure day

What happens if you decide to move forward.

The team walks you through the process before, during, and after your procedure so you know what to expect and how to prepare.

Before arrival Prepare the basics.

Review instructions, confirm your driver, have payment ready, fill required medications, eat a light meal, wear comfortable clothing, and plan to be at the clinic for about 90 minutes total.

During PRK The eye is numbed.

Numbing drops are applied. Sedation may be available. The surface layer is gently removed, the laser reshapes the cornea, and a protective contact lens is placed. The laser process is typically about 5-10 minutes per eye.

After PRK Your team reviews care.

The team administers drops, reviews instructions again, contacts your driver, and provides post-operative items and sunglasses.

At home Rest matters.

Plan to do nothing for the rest of the day. Follow the aftercare plan and give your eyes the time they need to heal.

Procedure day setup The room is prepared before treatment begins.

The clinical team sets up the laser, draping, instruments, and support workflow before the procedure starts.

PRK procedure room prepared with laser equipment and clinical team

If PRK is not the right fit

Sometimes the best recommendation is not PRK.

PRK is appropriate for many patients, but not all. If PRK is not the best option for your eyes, Dr. Yau will tell you and walk you through what may be safer or more suitable.

Other options The recommendation may change.

Clearview also offers other vision correction options, including refractive lens exchange and other procedures. The right option depends on prescription, age, corneal health, and visual goals.

Second opinions A previous “no” may not be the final answer.

If another clinic told you that you are not a candidate for laser eye surgery, a second opinion may be worth discussing. Candidacy criteria vary, and the goal is a clear answer either way.

The questions people actually ask

Specific worries deserve specific answers.

These are the concerns patients often carry into the consultation. The goal is not to pressure you. It is to help you ask better questions and make a more confident decision.

Open any question for the plain-English answer.

Is PRK actually safe?

PRK is well established, but like all surgery it carries risks. Your consultation is where Dr. Yau reviews your specific risk profile instead of generalizing.

How do I know PRK is right for me?

You do not have to know before you arrive. The consultation exists to determine whether PRK fits your eyes, or whether another procedure would be safer or more suitable.

What if everyone advertises something different?

Different clinics offer different procedures, use different pricing models, and explain recovery differently. Dr. Yau's goal is to understand your eyes and give you a clear recommendation, even if that recommendation is not PRK.

Will the price change after consultation?

The price provided at your consultation is the price Clearview honours for 1 year following your consultation. The team reviews what is included before you decide.

Do I actually meet Dr. Yau?

Yes. At Clearview, Dr. Yau sees every patient himself at the initial consultation. You meet the surgeon at the beginning, not for the first time on surgery day.

Is it painful?

Most patients experience discomfort more than pain. If discomfort happens, it is typically during the first few days and is managed with your aftercare plan.

Is recovery supposed to fluctuate?

Yes. Some days may be sharper than others, and one eye may heal faster than the other. That does not automatically mean something is wrong. Follow-up visits help the team monitor your healing.

What is the real trade-off?

PRK asks you to plan for several days of downtime and visual fluctuation in exchange for a no-flap approach. Dr. Yau can help you decide whether that trade-off makes sense for you.

About Dr. Ryan Yau

A surgeon who has been on the patient side of PRK.

Before any of this, Dr. Yau was a patient. His prescription was approximately -4.50 to -5. He was active, he travelled, and he was training in a surgical specialty where glasses got in the way. He had PRK himself.

That matters because when you talk to him at your consultation, you are talking to someone who has actually been through what you are considering.

Dr. Yau completed undergraduate studies, medical school, and ophthalmology residency before starting his formal career. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada and an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Calgary.

Clearview Eye Centre is located on Glenmore Trail near Deerfoot, in the centre of Calgary, with free parking and a modern clinical environment suited to a serious medical decision.

The right answer should fit your eyes, your life, and your tolerance for the trade-offs.

FRCSC ophthalmologist

Assistant Clinical Professor, University of Calgary

Calgary-based long-term practice

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta

Pricing and next steps

You should know what is included before you choose.

Clearview reviews pricing with you at your consultation, including the procedure fee, what is included, what is not included, follow-up care, medications and post-operative items, financing options, and enhancement policy where applicable.

PRK is elective and is not covered by Alberta Health Care. Some private insurance plans offer vision benefits or health spending accounts that may apply.

Financing options may be available for qualified applicants. If financing is important to your decision, the team can review available options with you at your consultation and explain how the application process works before you choose whether to proceed.

Typically reviewed What your quote may include

Initial consultation and advanced diagnostic testing
The PRK procedure
Post-operative follow-ups for the included period
Protective contact lenses and procedure-related items as reviewed by the team

Possible extras What may not be included

Prescription eye drops you were already using
Treatment for unrelated eye conditions discovered during consultation
Travel and accommodation if you are coming from out of town

Risks and alternatives

A real decision deserves a real risk conversation.

PRK is a surgical procedure and, like all surgery, carries risks. A complete discussion of risks, expected outcomes, and alternatives specific to your eyes takes place at your consultation.

Common side effects Usually managed during healing

Temporary discomfort, light sensitivity, and tearing
Dry eye, glare, halos, and visual fluctuation
Blur during the early healing period

Less common risks Discussed before you decide

Infection, inflammation, delayed healing, or haze
Undercorrection, overcorrection, or enhancement needs
Glasses or contacts may still be required for some activities

Alternatives matter too Alternatives may include continued glasses or contact lenses, LASIK, SMILE, refractive lens exchange, or another procedure depending on your eyes and goals. You are encouraged to ask questions, request a second opinion, and take the time you need to decide.

Clear vision starts with an honest answer.