Will I Have Perfect Vision After PRK Surgery?
Here are the best ways to reduce the side effects of PRK or LASIK – I had laser eye surgery, and healed quickly and painlessly. The short-term discomfort of PRK is worth it!
First, here’s what one surgeon says about LASIK and PRK:
“There is very little, if any, pain during surgery. It is during the recovery that there is potential for discomfort or pain. With LASIK, if there is any discomfort, it may last about six hours. PRK takes longer for initial healing to occur, so any discomfort experienced (ranging from feeling like there is something like an eyelash in the eye to a stinging / burning sensation) can last a few days.” ~ From BoydVision website.
Four days, ago, Dr Michael Boyd (founder of BoydVision) performed PRK laser eye surgery on my right eye, and I didn’t have a single complication. I found the surgery to be more painful than the recovery (especially the acid that burned off the top layer of my eyeball!).
If you’re getting laser eye surgery, make sure you have lots of eye drops! I ran through my eye drops really quickly, and had to get more from the surgeon. It turns out he doesn’t offer an unlimited supply of eye drops, so I had to buy my own.
The Systane Lubricant Eye Drops are the most popular on Amazon, but I think most saline eye drops would do the trick. My laser surgeon said to get eye drops from any store – he didn’t seem concerned about a specific type or brand of eye drops.
Anyway, here’s how I recovered quickly and easily after laser eye surgery (I’m convinced this is why I have no side effects from getting my vision “done”).
Tips for Healing From Laser Eye Surgery
The most important way to to heal from laser surgery is to follow your doctor’s post-op instructions, right down to the last drop of eye medication.
And…
Go blind for three days after the eye surgery
Dr Boyd, my eye surgeon, told me that the best way to heal after PRK – the ideal conditions for healing – is to be in a dark room for three days. This gives your eyes a chance to completely recover, without the “bad” effects of light, dust, steam, pollution, etc. He said that most people don’t follow his instructions for healing after LASIK or PRK, which can lead to a longer healing time, eye infections, and even the necessity of more laser eye surgeries in the future.
Ask a loved one to book time off work
I could not have healed without my husband’s help! I didn’t just wear sunglasses for 3½ days after surgery, I wore a black hood that blocked out every drop of light. I spent a lot of time on the sofa, listening to movies and TV shows. My husband covered our bedroom windows with dark blankets, put eye medication and “healing tear drops” in my eyes, cooked my meals, and basically waited on me hand and foot for 3½ days. Most people aren’t this lucky – or they have kids, elderly parents, demanding responsibilities, etc – that prevent them from focusing on recovering after laser eye surgery. But, the more time spent “blind”, the quicker the healing after LASIK or PRK laser eye surgery.
Eat the best foods for eye health
What are the best foods to eat when you’re healing after PRK or LASIK? We searched the internet for “foods to help you heal after laser eye surgery”, but came up empty. So, we figured that the best foods to help you heal after laser eye surger are the ones that are good for eye health in general. I already knew that eggs have choline, which help build new cells. And I took folic acid, for the B vitamins. Other foods for eye health are omega-3s (salmon, walnuts, soybeans, and fish oil supplements); lutein and zeaxanthin (spinach, squash, broccoli, corn, kale); vitamin A (carrots, organ meats, green leafy vegetables), and vitamin C (papaya, red bell peppers, strawberries, organges).
I also ate a lot of protein rich foods while I recovering after laser eye surgery.
Be religious about eyedrops and medications
My husband put eyedrops into my eye every hour, on the hour, without fail. Sometimes more than once an hour, when my eyes felt dry. This is crucial to healing – you need to keep your eyes as moist as possible! It was a drag to put eyedrops in every hour, especially when my eyes seemed to be fine. But, it’s probably one of the most important tips for healing after laser eye surgery.
Things to avoid when you’re healing from LASIK or PRK
- Showering for one week
- Swimming, hot tubs, saunas, and steam from hot baths
- Driving, until the surgeon says it’s okay
- UV exposure
Exposure to UV rays from the sun can affect how fast you recover from PRK or LASIK, and change the results of your laser eye surgery. Wear sunglasses when you’re in sunlight, or near a window with lots of sun coming in.
Dryness of the eyes is possible after PRK or LASIK. For most people, the dryness lasts a few weeks. Some people need to continue using artificial tear drops for up to a year, but then it goes away.
If you’re scared to get laser eye surgery, try exercises that are guaranteed to improve vision, in a book called Improve Your Vision Without Glasses or Contact Lenses by Steven M. Beresford, David W. Muris, Merril J. Allen, and Francis A. Young.
To learn more about laser eye surgery, read LASIK Vs PRK Laser Eye Surgery – What’s the Difference?
If you have any thoughts about healing from laser eye surgery quickly and easily, or what it’s like to get PRK or LASIK, please comment below…
I would love to get laser eye surgery, but I’m scared that it may go wrong. Did you have fear or anxiety about the surgery and how did you deal with it?
Hello Ivy,
I’m glad my tips helped! That’s great – and congratulations on getting eye surgery.
I’m thinking of going back for a “tune up.” My eyes seem to be deteriorating a little, and it’s only been 2 years. I only had one eye done, though, and I’m 43 years old…so my eyes are bound to be going downhill. But I want my eagle-eyed vision back
Stumbled on your blog and thank you for the “blind” advice! I was also looking for diet after my lasik and it directed me to your blog. Great help. Its just day1 post op for me after femtolasik.
Dear Dr Diane,
I had a blindfold on for 2.5 days after my laser eye surgery! It was actually a very relaxing, peaceful, calm experience because my husband took very good care of me. I didn’t think I’d be able to stand being away from my blogs while I healed, but I barely missed them at all. I also really, really enjoyed my Percocet, and loved the blissful feeling that accompanied the high.
There are lots of things you can do to use your time productively – besides enjoying the high of prescription medication! Get books on tape, and listen to books that you haven’t found time to read. Download movies that you’ve been wanting to see, and listen to them. Ask friends and family members to come over and visit with you during your healing. Download podcasts, and listen to them (I love listening to Jian Ghomeshi’s Q on CBC, and Bill Hybels sermons – he’s the pastor of Willow Creek church).
Will you have someone caring for you while you heal from the laser eye surgery? That’s super important, because it makes life a lot easier. And, their presence will help keep you occupied.
I hope these ideas help! Try to look at your healing period as a time of rest and rejuvenation. I wish I could do mine all over again, it was so relaxing. In fact, maybe I’ll get a tune up on my eyes so I can do it all over again…perhaps with a few more tablets of Percocet
Laurie
Planning on having the surgery in 3 weeks. Dr recommends keeping BOTH eyes closed for 24 hrs. Wondering what I will do for 24 hrs without computer – no reading – no texting. I’m a VERY productive person hand have organized photos or my desk during previous enforced “down time”. But have no idea what to do for 24 hrs with no vision. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.
I’ve went back a few times but to no avail.
I didn’t tell them abt the holiday as I think they would jst say it was that and no longer help me etc. I think I’m gong to pay to see a specialist see wot they can do for me .
Dear Henry,
I am so sorry that you are having such a terrible experience with laser eye surgery! That is awful, because there is no way to take it back.
Have you returned to the eye doctor, to get a check up? Some side effects are normal after PRK or lasik. My surgery went perfectly, but I still wake up with dry eyes occasionally, and it hurts.
Yes, I believe UV rays can negatively affect your eyes – especially after laser eye surgery.
Can you go back to your doctor, and get advice from him or her?
I had lasik two and a half years ago and still suffer from glare halo’s hazy poor night vision etc worst thing I’ve ever done , but 10 days after my surgery I went on holiday as I have set holidays to greece but think that affeceted my eyes I wore sunglasses! How dose the uv ray’s affect ur eye after surgery ??
Thanks for your comments. It’s been a year since I got my PRK laser eye surgery, and I’m still very very happy with the results. The only problem I have is dry eyes when I wake up in the morning. I have to open my eyes slowly, instead of popping them open right away. But I don’t have any other problems from the PRK.
These are good tips for healing from lasik. I am thinking about it but don’t have enough money to pay for laser eye surgery yet. I think the clinic offers credit or a loan but I don’t want to get a loan to get my vision corrected!!!
It is totally true! My wife was also very supportive and put up with me when I was very worried about the side effects of getting laser eye surgery.
Thanks for your tips for healing after laser eye surgery! My doctor said that most people don’t follow his instructions for post-op recovery, then wonder why they have problems with their eyes after surgery.
What he didn’t say, however, was that it’s really good to have someone to take care of you after the surgery. I don’t know what I would’ve have done without my husband, who was the best nurse in the world.
Hello, you are completely right about the healing. It is important to put eye-drops into your eyes every hour after the surgery. Then your eyes can heal properly and you avoid to have any unexpected side effects caused by the operation. I had some trouble after the surgery as I was negligent.
Before the lasik surgery, get as much information as you can about side effects, cost, details, problems and complications, The americanlasiksurgeons website is really very good one where you can get that type of information.