The PRK surgery is performed by using a laser to remove the outer cornea tissue layer completely and reshape the inner tissue of cornea. Each surgery has its own requirements and own recovery time.
Recovery Time
Recovery time is one of the most important deciding factor to choose the kind of laser eye surgery, though every laser procedure is inclined and preferred to get rid of the contact lenses and eye glasses. PRK procedure should be chosen after confirming the recovery time and ensure that enough time can be spent for recovery.
The recovery time taken for PRK is slightly more compared to the other two prominent laser surgeries, SMILE and Lasik. The reason behind this is that outer cornea layer tissue is removed completely, rather than creation of a flap that gets folded back. The eye and surgical site area has to be healed completed and the tissue layers have to be regrown completely.
The difference between the recovery timeline of PRK and Lasik vary slightly and the recovery is done as the following stages.
- Post 1-3 days
- Irritation and mild discomfort is experienced because of the removal of the tissue layer
- Pain and scratchiness are possible, but minor
- Never scratch or rub the eyes as it may complicate the entire process of healing
- More sensitivity to light
- The discomfort can be managed with the medication and eye drops for pain
- Post 4 days – 1 week
- Vision gets a bit hazy or blurry
- Discomfort within the eye gets subsidised
- The vision reaches to 20/40 approximately
- Removal of protective contact lenses
- Post 1 week – 1 month
- Vision gets better during day and night vision gets poor
- Avoid night driving as starbursts and halos of lights can be problem
- Post 1 month – 3 months
- The cornea tissue will grown back and outer surface becomes smooth
- Vision gets improved
- Any minor or major discomforts, if exist, must be informed to the doctor for changing of medicine, if needed
- Post 3 months – 6 months
- A state of clear and stable vision will be reached
- Accurate state of vision to be expressed to the doctor during the check up appointments
- Normal lifestyle is back with better vision
Though recovery takes time considerable, patient experiences no risk of complications like risk of corneal flap etc. PRK is good option anyways for the patients who have thin corneas. Exploring all the existing contemporary laser eye surgical procedures is important and the best and viable decision can be taken by the surgeon, after primary examination of the patient’s eyes and overall health.
Irrespective of the ease of procedure and recovery time, the long term results from the PRK procedure can be achieving the vision till 20/40 or 20/20.