Illustrative stock photograph; not a CEI patient, treatment result or clinic equipment.
If you farm, ranch or work outdoors in Saskatchewan, you know how much your eyes go through. There’s dust and chaff at harvest, wind that never seems to stop, bright sun on the fields, and long days that start before sunrise. Glasses fog up, slide down and get scratched. Contact lenses and grain dust don’t mix well either.
It’s no surprise that many people who work outdoors are interested in laser eye surgery. The question is which type suits your work best, and when to fit it into your year. Here’s what to think about when choosing between LASIK and ASL (PRK), and why the weeks after harvest can be a great time to plan.
Key Takeaways
- LASIK and ASL (PRK) give similar long-term results. The main differences are how the cornea is treated and how recovery goes.
- AdvancedSurf Laser (PRK) doesn’t involve a corneal flap, so it’s often recommended for people whose work or hobbies carry a higher risk of eye injury.
- Plan surgery for a quieter time of year, such as after harvest, so your eyes can heal away from heavy dust and long days on the equipment.
LASIK and ASL (PRK): A Quick Refresher
Both procedures use a laser to reshape the cornea, the clear window at the front of the eye, so that you can see clearly without glasses or contacts.
- LASIK: The surgeon creates a thin flap in the cornea, reshapes the tissue underneath and lays the flap back down. Vision usually improves quickly, often within a day or so.
- ASL (PRK): The surgeon gently removes the thin outer layer of the cornea and reshapes the surface. There’s no flap. That outer layer grows back over several days, and vision keeps improving over the following weeks.
In our surgeons’ experience, ASL (PRK) is a safe, reliable option for suitable candidates. Modern drop therapy and a soft bandage contact lens greatly improve comfort during early healing for many patients, though comfort and recovery vary and no one can promise a pain-free experience.
For a deeper comparison, see our guide to choosing between LASIK and AdvancedSurf Laser (PRK).
Why Your Work Matters
Eye Injuries and the LASIK Flap
A LASIK flap heals well and stays in place for most people for life. But a hard, direct hit to the eye, years after surgery, can occasionally move the flap. That’s rare, but it’s a reason to think carefully if your work or hobbies put your eyes at risk. Working with livestock, handling tools and chains, fixing equipment, or playing contact sports like hockey all count.
Because ASL (PRK) doesn’t create a flap, there’s nothing to move. For people at a higher risk of eye injury, that’s often a good reason to choose ASL (PRK).
Dust, Wind and Dry Eye
Both LASIK and AdvancedSurf Laser (PRK) can make your eyes feel drier for a while as they heal. Wind, dust and long hours in a cab with the fan blowing can add to that. We’ll check your eyes for dry eye before surgery and help you manage it afterward with lubricating drops and good habits.
Your Corneas
Not every eye is suited to LASIK. If your corneas are thin or have an unusual shape, ASL (PRK) may be the safer option no matter what you do for a living. Learn more in our post on thin corneas and ASL (PRK).
Timing Surgery Around Your Year
Healing eyes need a break from dust, debris and long, tiring days. That’s why timing matters, especially for farmers.
Why After Harvest Works Well
Once the crop is in, many people have more flexibility. Booking surgery for late fall or winter gives your eyes time to heal before spring work and seeding begin. If you run cattle, it’s worth planning around calving season too.
What Recovery Looks Like
- After LASIK: Many people are back to most daily activities within a few days. You’ll still need to avoid rubbing your eyes and keep dust and dirt out of them while the flap settles.
- After ASL (PRK): A soft bandage contact lens protects the eye while the surface heals, and modern drop therapy helps keep many patients comfortable. Some light sensitivity is common early on, so plan for some time off work. Vision sharpens gradually over several weeks. Keeping the eye clean and protected during that early healing is important.
Your surgeon will tell you when it’s safe to go back to dusty work, drive and use equipment. For practical tips, see our post on LASIK and AdvancedSurf Laser (PRK) recovery.
Protect Your Eyes After Surgery, and for Life
Laser eye surgery corrects your vision. It doesn’t protect your eyes from injury. Once you’ve healed, keep wearing:
- Safety glasses for grinding, welding prep, hammering, cutting and any work that sends debris flying
- Wraparound sunglasses with UV protection in the field, which also help against wind and dust
- Goggles for very dusty jobs, like cleaning bins or handling grain
Years of sun, wind and dust can also lead to growths on the surface of the eye. Read more in our post on pterygium and pinguecula.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ASL (PRK) better than LASIK for farmers?
Not always, but it’s often a good fit. If your work carries a real risk of eye injury, or your corneas are on the thin side, ASL (PRK) is often the recommendation. Your consultation will help you decide.
How long will I need off work?
It depends on the procedure and your job. LASIK recovery is usually quicker. AdvancedSurf Laser (PRK) often needs more time away from dusty or physical work. We’ll give you specific advice for your situation.
Can I have surgery during harvest?
You can, but it’s usually better to wait. Dust, chaff and long days make it harder for your eyes to heal comfortably. A quieter season gives you the best start.
How much does laser eye surgery cost?
We’ll explain the cost of your recommended procedure, and what it includes, in writing at your consultation.
Book Your Consultation
If you’re ready to see the fields without glasses fogging up or contacts full of dust, we’d be happy to help you find the right option, and dates that fit around your farm year. Book your consultation: call our Saskatoon office at 306-244-4111, Monday to Friday, 7 am to 4 pm. Conlon Eye Institute is in the Medical Arts Building, 341-750 Spadina Crescent East, Saskatoon, SK S7K 3H3.
References
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. LASIK — Laser Eye Surgery. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/lasik — supports flap creation, candidacy, recovery and risks.
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. What Is Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)? https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/photorefractive-keratectomy-prk — supports surface treatment without a flap, bandage contact lens during healing, and slower early recovery.
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. The Sun, UV Light and Your Eyes. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/sun — supports UV-blocking sunglasses for outdoor workers.
About the Author
Dr. M. Ronan Conlon has practised ophthalmology in Saskatoon since 1994. He completed fellowship training in ocular pathology at Harvard University and in oculoplastic surgery at the University of Iowa. In 1996 he brought laser vision correction technology to Canada from Germany, and he specializes in oculoplastic surgery, LASIK, ASL (PRK) and refractive cataract surgery. With the establishment of the Conlon Eye Institute, Dr. Conlon has drawn on decades of experience in LASIK, RLE surgery, refractive cataract surgery, and oculoplastic surgery. He has also served as Head of Ophthalmology and Chief of Staff with the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
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