Recovery
After the completion of the procedure, a clear bandage contact lens is usually inserted at the end of surgery to reduce irritation during the healing process and to protect the cornea as the epithelial layer grows back over the next 3-4 days. This also helps decrease the mild to moderate discomfort experienced during this time such as foreign body sensation in the eye. Patients can usually go home on the same day, but someone else should drive them home. Patients may experience tearing, sensitivity to light, and a moderate amount of blurred vision which may prevent driving during the first 3 days. Such difficulties are particularly felt on the second and third days after the procedure, but improve greatly by the fourth and fifth days as the surface layer of the cornea grows back.
The eye surgeon may advise taking off from work for a few days as any strenuous activities may delay the healing. During this time, chilled lubricating and medicated drops are prescribed to reduce discomfort, heal the cornea, and decrease the risk of scar formation and infection.
The cornea heals from the edges towards the center. As the corneal epithelium regrows it forms a “ridge” of epithelium across the pupil where the healing tissues meet. This ridge usually has formed by the fourth or fifth day, and it is safe to remove the bandage contact lens. The vision is much improved by this time, generally ranging between 20/30 and 20/50, depending on the magnitude of the corrective treatment done.
As the ridge of epithelium smoothes out over the next 4-6 weeks, the vision will gradually improve. The correction is usually considered to be stable by 3-6 months after surgery, at which time an enhancement could be considered if necessary. After PRK, the ophthalmologist will advise wearing sunglasses while going outside as sun exposure can lead to corneal scarring after surgery, causing vision problems.
One may experience blurred vision for a few days immediately after the PRK procedure, however as the healing progresses, vision gradually improves over time.