Patient Expectations

Before undergoing PRK, you will usually meet with a member of your provider's team to discuss what you should expect during and after the procedure. During this session your medical history will be evaluated and your eyes will be tested. In most cases, these tests will include measuring your corneal thickness, refraction, and pupil dilation. Once you have gone through your evaluation and been approved for PRK, you can schedule an appointment for the procedure.

Although it varies from one provider to another, in most cases if you wear rigid gas permeable contact lenses, you will be advised to not wear them starting three weeks before the date of your PRK. Other types of contact lenses shouldn’t be worn for at least three days before the procedure. Your provider will give you specific instructions based on your condition.

On the day of your PRK, you will usually be advised to eat a light meal before going to your provider's facility. You should take all of your prescribed medications as you normally would, and avoid wearing any eye makeup that day. Be sure to arrange transportation home from the procedure, as you will not be able to drive.

The actual procedure is done under local anesthesia, and takes about 10 minutes for both eyes. During the procedure, your provider will use a laser to reshape your cornea. This laser removes Bowman's layer, and the cornea is reshaped by removing precise amounts of the corneal stroma.

Frequently, a bandage contact lens will be applied immediately after the procedure. This contact lens is usually worn for the first 3 to 4 days to allow the surface of the eye to heal. Once the surface of the eye has healed, the bandage contact lens is removed. If your bandage contact lens happens to fall out, don’t panic just be sure to contact your clinic immediately.

You should expect to visit your provider several times during the first 6 months after surgery, with the first visit being the day after the procedure. Your vision may fluctuate between clear and blurry for the first few weeks following your PRK and you may need to wear glasses for night driving or reading until your vision stabilizes.

Your eyes will be dry, although they often don't feel that way. In most cases, you'll be given several medications, including antibiotic drops, artificial tears and medication to reduce inflammation after your procedure. It's not unusual for these eye drops to cause a slight burning sensation or momentary blurring of your vision, so don't be alarmed. Never use any drops not approved by your provider, and be sure that you understand the proper use of each medication before you leave the clinic.

Your vision will gradually improve, although it's important to keep in mind that your best vision may not be obtained for up to 6 months following your PRK.