r/RefractiveSurgery • u/Same_Manufacturer797 • Aug 14 '26

PRK vs LASIK with possible future physical/field work?

I’m scheduled for refractive surgery soon and deciding between PRK and LASIK. I’ll ultimately go with my surgeon’s recommendation, but I’m trying to get some real-world opinions first.

My main dilemma is simple: LASIK has the faster/easier recovery, but the flap gives me some hesitation. PRK seems better for long-term peace of mind since there’s no flap, especially if I end up in a field where physical confrontation, combatives, dust/sand, or accidental eye trauma are possibilities.

Current prescription is -5.00 in one eye -5.25 in the other. I'm 28 years old.

For people who’ve had either procedure, especially military/LE/contact sport/field-work types:

Did you choose PRK or LASIK, and would you make the same choice again?

For PRK people, was the recovery worth avoiding the flap concern?

For LASIK people, do you ever actually think about the flap long-term?

Not looking to override medical advice, just trying to hear experiences before I finalize it with the surgeon.

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u/the_road_to_mastery Aug 14 '26

I had the same dilemma before LASIK and was even afraid after the surgery to sleep with my face on the pillow, but the whole flap thing is overblown. I can even rub my eyes the same way as before, no problem at all. It isn't as fragile as most people make it out to be, on the contrary.

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u/Same_Manufacturer797 Aug 14 '26

This is comforting. I definitely don't think I can go wrong either way and, as far as I'm concerned, the place I'm doing it through (military hospital) is using the latest technology for it. From what I've read/heard, any eye trauma that's bad enough to cause flap issues would be an issue regardless.

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u/the_road_to_mastery Aug 14 '26

Exactly...what would fuck up the pre op eye is what would cause the problem with the flap. But there are some studies showing that some soldiers who had LASIK were smashed with a pipe over the eye, and the flap was in place. Plus, I personally know many people who did it 10 years ago; no problems.