What Should I Expect During Recovery After PRK?

Although LASIK surgery is often considered the go-to procedure for vision correction, PRK (photo refractive keratectomy) can achieve equally effective results. During LASIK surgery, a flap is created on the cornea before the cornea is reshaped to reduce or eliminate refractive errors. During PRK surgery, no flap is created; instead, the surface of the cornea is reshaped directly to improve conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.

As a result of this procedural difference, the recovery process for PRK can vary from LASIK recovery. For three or four days after your PRK procedure, you can expect your vision to be blurry. Since the eye can be vulnerable during this period, your eye surgeon may recommend wearing a soft contact lens to protect the eye. Any post-operative discomfort can be easily managed with medicated eye drops. Over the course of the next several months, your eye surgeon will follow up with you to ensure your eyes properly adjust after the procedure.

Our PRK patients are typically very satisfied with their results and enjoy clear vision without needing to wear glasses or contacts. For those who are not ideal candidates for LASIK, PRK can be a highly beneficial alternative.

If you would like to learn more about PRK surgery, please contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our eye surgeons at Virginia Eye Consultants.