ASA / Advanced PRK. Flapless precision for the eyes that need it.
Advanced Surface Ablation reshapes the cornea's surface without creating a flap - making it the right answer for thin corneas, active careers, and patients with specific anatomical considerations.
- 20/Happy Patient Guarantee
- Dr. Shehzad Batliwala, Board-Certified
- Lifetime follow-up
- FSA/HSA + 0% APR financing
- 10 minProcedure time
- FlaplessNo corneal flap
- 3-5 daysBack to daily activities
- 20/20Typical long-term outcome
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shehzad Batliwala, DO, MGM · Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
The flapless laser option when LASIK isn't the right fit.
ASA, also known as PRK, uses the same excimer laser as LASIK, but skips the flap. We gently remove the cornea's outermost epithelial layer, reshape the cornea with the laser, and let the surface naturally regenerate over the next several days.
The visual recovery is slower than LASIK's, but the long-term outcomes are equally excellent, and the procedure is uniquely suited to certain corneas, careers, and lifestyles.
- 100% flap-free, no flap-related risks
- Works with thin corneas LASIK can't safely treat
- First-responder & active-duty friendly
- Long-term outcomes match LASIK
How ASA / Advanced PRK works.
- 01Step 01
Map your eye in 3D
DiagnosticsYour ASA procedure begins with comprehensive corneal mapping and wavefront analysis. Because ASA is often chosen for thinner or atypical corneas, these measurements matter enormously - they let us confirm ASA is the safest option and design a treatment plan tuned to your specific eye.
- 02Step 02
Prepare the surface of the eye
FlaplessUnlike LASIK, ASA does not involve creating a flap. Instead, the cornea's outermost layer - the epithelium - is gently removed to expose the surface for treatment. This is what makes ASA uniquely suited to thin corneas and high-impact careers, since there is no flap that could ever be dislodged.
- 03Step 03
Reshape the cornea with the excimer laser
Seconds per eyeUsing the same excimer laser technology as LASIK, your surgeon performs a wavefront-guided treatment based on your unique measurements. The reshaping itself takes only seconds per eye and corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism with the same precision as LASIK.
- 04Step 04
Place a protective contact lens
Natural healingA soft bandage contact lens is placed to keep you comfortable while the epithelium naturally regenerates over the next several days. Visual recovery is more gradual than LASIK, but the long-term outcomes are equally excellent - with vision continuing to sharpen over the following weeks.
The reasons that actually matter.
No flap, no flap risks
Eliminates a class of complications associated with LASIK flaps, critical for high-impact careers and athletes.
Built for active careers
Military, law enforcement, first responders, and contact-sport athletes choose ASA because no flap can ever dislodge.
Custom wavefront-guided
Treatment plan is mapped to your specific eye, not a generic protocol. Same precision as LASIK.
Decades of stability
Once fully healed, ASA outcomes match LASIK and are highly stable for decades. Patience pays off in lifelong clarity.
- 20/Happy Patient Guarantee
- Dr. Shehzad Batliwala, Board-Certified
- Lifetime follow-up
- FSA/HSA + 0% APR financing
Who this is- and isn't - for.
We don't push the envelope of safety to make you fit a procedure. If you aren't a great candidate, we'll tell you - and recommend the option that is.
You may be a great fit if any of these sound familiar.
- Age 18+, stable Rx
- Corneas too thin for LASIK
- Military / first responders
- Contact-sport athletes
- Specific corneal irregularities
- Want a flapless alternative
We may recommend something else if…
- Need a 24-hour visual recovery
- Active corneal infection
- Severe untreated dry eye
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
None of these are deal-breakers, they're reasons to look at the alternatives. We'll tell you straight at consultation.
Your journey to visual freedom.
- Step 0160 min
Free consultation
Complete eye exam, corneal thickness measurement, and discussion of why ASA may fit your eyes better than LASIK.
- Step 0230 min
Pre-op imaging
Detailed scans drive your custom treatment plan. No contact lenses for two weeks beforehand.
- Step 0310 min/eye
Surgery day
About 10 minutes per eye. Awake but comfortable. You go home with a bandage contact lens that protects the cornea while it heals.
- Step 043-5 days + lifetime
Healing & follow-up
Back to work in 3-5 days; full visual clarity often takes a few weeks. Follow-ups at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, lifetime included.
My eye surgery was quick easy and painless and had staff and doc were great and it resulted with great vision
Clear costs. Real options.
Most patients structure payment through FSA / HSA, insurance, or 0% APR financing via CareCredit and Alphaeon. Our Affordability page walks through every option in plain English, no surprises.
Why we don't discount ASA / Advanced PRK
ASA carries the same upsell-ladder risk as LASIK at discount centers - 'premium' lasers, aftercare add-ons, enhancement guarantees. We quote one honest, all-in number - surface laser, drops, and follow-ups included - with 0% APR financing if you'd rather spread it out.
What patients say
The questions we hear most.
Don't see your question? Call us at 214-972-2020 or book a free consultation.
Why is recovery slower than LASIK?
LASIK protects the surface with a flap that heals quickly. ASA needs the corneal epithelium itself to regenerate. Most patients can return to work in 3-5 days, though full visual clarity may take a few weeks.Is ASA painful?
Most patients describe mild discomfort and tearing for the first 2-3 days, well managed with prescribed drops and oral medication. Pain decreases dramatically once the bandage lens is removed.How does ASA compare to LASIK long-term?
Once fully healed, ASA visual outcomes match LASIK. The choice depends on your cornea, your career, and your tolerance for the slower recovery.Can I drive home after surgery?
No. You'll need a driver on surgery day and at the 1-day post-op visit. Most patients are clear to drive within a week.How much does ASA cost?
Our Affordability page walks through every payment option, including military and first-responder discounts that many ASA patients qualify for.
Still have questions?
Talk to our team, no pressure, no sales pitch. We answer the question, not the upsell.
Not the right fit? Here's what else we offer.
Picking the right procedure is a diagnosis question, not a marketing one. If your eyes are better served by a different path, we'll tell you.
See what better vision looks like. At any stage of life.
Reaching for your glasses on the nightstand. Fighting contacts at the gym. Watching the menu blur at dinner. These aren't problems to live with anymore, and the only place to find out what's actually possible for your eyes is in the chair.
- 7,000+
- Surgeries by Dr. Shehz
- 2×
- Board-certified
- 1
- Surgeon. Every case.
- 5★
- Patient-rated on Google
- 20/Happy Patient Guarantee
- Dr. Shehzad Batliwala, Board-Certified
- Lifetime follow-up
- FSA/HSA + 0% APR financing