PRK (P-R-K) eye surgery is relatively quick and painless, but recovery from the procedure can vary between patients, depending on the extent of vision correction and condition of your eyes. Immediately after the procedure, the surgeon will place drops or ointment in your eye, then insert special contacts to promote healing. A patch or bandage will be placed over the eye for protection. You can relax in the office for a while, then go home and rest. The contacts and patch can normally be removed after three days or so. You’ll probably notice clearer vision immediately, and it may improve even more as the weeks go by. Some people may feel slight irritation of the eyes for up to a month while the cornea grows back completely. The sensation is like having an eyelash in your eye. Your eyes may also be especially sensitive to light during this period. Painkillers, rest, and cold compresses can decrease moderate discomfort. A few patients report haziness and blurry vision after PRK, but this tends to decrease over time and, eventually, should disappear altogether. Typically, full recovery from this type of surgery takes several weeks to months. Some people return to work the next day, but surgeons usually recommend two or three days of rest. During the healing process, it’s important to report any irregularities to your doctor, and follow through with all instructions and medication.
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