Patients who are not good candidates for LASIK will most likely be recommended to undergo PRK surgery instead. While it is less known than LASIK, PRK surgery is just as effective at addressing vision issues. The difference, however, is that PRK comes with a longer recovery period. Knowing what to expect from the recovery process can help patients feel more confident going forward with the treatment.
Temporary contact lenses
During PRK surgery, the epithelium is removed and specially-designed contact lenses are placed into the eyes. These lenses serve as a temporary covering while the epithelial cells grow back. After about five days, patients come back to the office and have the lenses removed.
Immediately following PRK Surgery
Patients typically feel a good amount of discomfort immediately following the treatment. Because of this, it is usually recommended that patients sleep for a few hours when they get home. Keeping the eyes closed ensures that they stay well lubricated.
Prior to leaving the office, patients will be provided with protective eyewear (goggles) which they should wear for at least 24 hours following the surgery. The main reason behind this is to keep patients from touching their eyes. Touching and itching the eyes can lead to infections as well as negatively impact the results of the procedure.
Patients will also be given prescription anti-inflammatory eye drops. It is incredibly important that patients apply these eyedrops for the first few days after having the surgery. They will ensure that the eyes don’t develop any infections.
If there is any excessive or long-lasting discomfort, patients can take over-the-counter painkillers such as Tylenol or apply standard eye drops to keep their eyes moist.
Several weeks after the surgery
Most patients see major improvements in their vision within just a few weeks. Patients must avoid driving for at least one to two weeks, as their vision may still be impaired during this time.
Patients should continue to avoid touching the eye area. Going swimming and wearing makeup around the eyes are also not good ideas, as infections can still manifest during this period.
What is the takeaway?
While the recovery from PRK is a bit longer than LASIK, it is still not a very burdensome task. With a little bit of patience and willingness to follow directions, patients can get back to their usual routines in a very short amount of time. The restored vision that patients walk away with is well worth the wait.