Before and After PRK
|
 |
Many people experience some type of vision problem, like myopia
(near-sightedness), hyperopia (far-sightedness), and astigmatism
(distorted vision).
Glasses or contact lenses can solve
these problems for most individuals. But they can be
troublesome, as they require regular maintenance that can be
time-consuming and expensive over time. Laser eye
surgeries like PRK and LASIK can provide a good long-term
solution to vision problems.
|
|
Before PRK Surgery
PRK Video
|
Before scheduling your PRK
surgery at Carlsbad Eye Care, you will meet with Dr. Tracy for your
consultation, where he will examine your eyes and discuss your medical
history to evaluate your candidacy for surgery. If you wear contact
lenses, you may need to refrain from wearing them before your evaluation
anywhere from a few days to several months, depending on the type of
contact lens you wear. This is because wearing contact lenses can change
the shape of the cornea.
If your tests indicate that your eyes
are healthy enough for surgery, Dr. Tracy will discuss your candidacy
for LASIK or PRK, and go over the risks, benefits, complications, and
alternatives involved with either procedure. Make sure to address any
medical issues you may have, any current medications you’re taking, any
allergies you may have, and any past surgeries you’ve had.
If all
of your test results are normal and you decide to schedule your surgery,
you will need to arrange for someone to drive you on your surgery date,
as well as on the next day for your post-op appointment. You must not
wear contact lenses for at least two weeks prior to your surgery date.
You will need to pick up any prescription medications before your
surgery date. Plan on arriving about 30 minutes before your scheduled
surgery time. You will spend about an hour to an hour and a half at the
surgery center.
After PRK Surgery
At the end of your
procedure, Dr. Tracy will place clear bandage contact lenses on your
eyes to help the epithelium heal properly. These bandage contact lenses
will be removed after the epithelium has healed, usually 6 days after
your procedure. Some amount of discomfort or pain is normal after
surgery, and usually lasts 2-3 days. Pain medications will be
prescribed, but if you experience only minor discomfort, you may take
over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol or Advil. During the first
week, you will need to use the prescription eye drops to control
inflammation and prevent infection.
You will also need to wear
protective shields over your eyes when sleeping during the first week.
It’s important to avoid touching or rubbing your eyes during this
period, so that your eyes can heal properly. You may experience some
light sensitivity for the first week, so we recommend wearing sunglasses
whenever you are outside.
After the initial recovery period, your
vision will continue to improve for the first few weeks, and some vision
fluctuations are normal during this period. You must continue to use
your eye drops as instructed. You should also use over-the-counter
artificial tears (lubricating eye drops) for a few months in order to
avoid dry eyes. Keeping your eyes moist can help prevent regression,
which is a condition where your corneas partially return to their
pre-surgery shape. |
Your PRK Results
The
results of PRK eye surgery can differ from patient to patient, but most
individuals can expect to see results almost immediately after surgery.
During the first week after PRK, patients are able to engage in mild
physical activities but should refrain from overly-strenuous activities
and exercises. Though certain individuals may experience fluctuations in
vision in the months following PRK, these effects are only temporary and
should resolve themselves. As your eyesight becomes increasingly clear,
you will be advised to continue taking prescribed eye drops as
instructed by Dr. Tracy. After about six months, vision will be fully
stabilized, and patients can experience the joy of great vision! |
The following is a guideline
for you to follow after your surgery:
For 1 week, wear protective
eye shields when sleeping
For 1 week, do not engage in any strenuous
activities
For 2 weeks, do not wear any makeup, and do not swim or
dive
For 4 weeks, avoid rubbing your eyes |
 |
Contact a PRK Expert Today
Dr. Michael Tracy is a
Board-certified ophthalmologist and an expert in refractive surgery,
such as PRK and LASIK. If you are considering undergoing refractive
surgery, don’t hesitate to call us at (760) 603-9910 to schedule your
free LASIK or PRK consultation. |
| |