PRK laser eye procedure is preferred by millions of people in the world in one year to become independent of the contact lenses and glasses. The fact has to be accepted that PRK does take longer time to completely heal the area of treatment and achieve clearer vision. It is a bit longer compared to the other laser based surgical eye treatments. The reason for longer recovery time is that the PRK procedure removes the outer corneal tissue layer totally.
Vision after PRK
The epithelium or the skin layer takes some time for basic healing. During the period of recovery, the patient feels a bit discomfort and blurry vision is possible. Then the vision becomes a bit clear to feel enough comfort. On an overall, it takes a few months to perform day to day activities with enough ease. The overall vision can be bettered and the actual betterment of the vision will be evident in three months to six months after the surgery.
The timeline for recovery after PRK procedure is as shown as the following.
- After 1 to 3 days – slight irritation and mild discomfort are common, because of the removed tissue layer. Night driving is not advised during this period, because of the sensitivity of the eyes to the night lights. The patient has to lubricate the eyes with the eye drops, on regular basis.
- After 4 days to 1 week – slightly discomfort will keep subsiding and the vision becomes a hazy or a bit blurry, however, the vision will be better then and slowly to 20/40. In this period, protective contact lenses are taken out.
- After 1 week to 3 months – During this period, a new tissue of cornea will be grown back and the tissue becomes smoother. Slowly the vision will be improved. Still some halos or starbursts exist around bright lights and night driving must be avoided for a few weeks after the surgery.
- After 3 months to 6 months – This is the period, where the vision and the positive results of the procedure will be evident and the patient can get back to normal lifestyle with independent regular activities as before the procedure.
Precautions for Better Vision During Recovery
PRK procedure is performed basically for treating the refractive error called nearsightedness. So, after the procedure, recovery and better vision will be possible in between 3 to 6 months of duration. During this period, following certain precautions can help the recovery to be quick and harmless.
- Discuss with your doctor regarding how do you suffer with nearsightedness and dry eye condition if any, so that prescription will be complete and according to your unique eye vision condition with necessary comparable remedies along with the regular artificial tears.
- If you feel uncomfortable with the post-operative lenses, inform the same with the doctor, so that suitable lenses will be applied so that healing can be expedited. If the lenses are still uncomfortable, let the doctor know your discomfort.
- Inflammation may be there but it is mild. If it goes a bit more comfortable, inform the same thing with your doctor, during the follow-up visits. Don’t take the steroids as the solution to this problem, as the process of healing may further be delayed.
- Ensure to chill the cornea, in case of any pain is experienced
- Give enough rest and time for the eyes for a few days for much better and clearer vision for life long.
All these precautions can help preventing any complications during the recovery and healing process becomes faster.