What to Expect from PRK
July 8, 2022
As advances in modern laser eye surgery continue to move forward, there are more options than ever to correct your vision for the long term. Although LASIK is one of the most popular options available, PRK is one alternative worth knowing about. Although your ophthalmologist will discuss with you your best option, here’s what to expect from PRK.
What Is PRK Laser Eye Surgery?
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) is a type of laser eye surgery that can help correct a variety of vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. It involves the use of specialized lasers to correct the surface of the eye which has been causing poor vision.
Prior to surgery, you’ll speak with our team to discuss your goals for the procedure. You’ll go through a comprehensive series of tests, including determining your eye pressure and corneal thickness in order to better prepare for the surgery and help calculate the precise measurements for the laser to use during your surgical procedure.
PRK Laser Eye Surgery Tips
Like any surgery, there are a few things that you can do in order to improve your odds of success and shorten your recovery time. These include:
- Always follow your ophthalmologist’s advice. Your eye surgeon will give you a series of steps to prepare for surgery and recovery afterward. Always follow this advice, and please ask any questions you might have since not following these steps can impact the surgery and possibly damage your health.
- If you wear contacts, you will need to stop before your evaluation. Wearing contacts can alter key measurements of your eyes that are necessary for surgery. You will likely need to stop wearing them for a designated period of time, potentially as long as three weeks, before your pre-surgery evaluation.
- You may still need glasses afterward. It’s possible that you’ll need to wear glasses, at least part of the time, for as long as six months after surgery.
PRK Recovery Time
PRK can cause some discomfort afterward such as mild eye pain for 1-3 days after the surgery and other symptoms like light sensitivity and watery eyes. Fortunately, these symptoms are usually mild enough that they can be managed with over-the-counter medications.
You’ll likely need to wear a bandage contact lens for as long as 5-7 days after surgery which your ophthalmologist will need to remove. Once it’s removed, you’ll be able to determine just how much your vision has improved. After one week, you should be able to return to work and safely drive. Your vision will continue to improve over time, and it’s important to keep up on your regular eye appointments with your ophthalmologist.
Schedule an Appointment
PRK is an excellent way to improve your vision with long-term results. To meet with our team and learn more, we invite you to contact Anh Nguyen Ophthalmology by calling or filling out our online form
