All my friends had success with LASIK, only complaint was mild dry-eye. Ive had a baby and this was way worse. During the first 24 hours after PRK, its important to rest your eyes. I got PRK a couple of days back. I had the consultation planned for the Tuesday, surgery on Thursday and work the following week. You may be a great candidate for a cornea transplant that may restore your vision to 20/20. While LASIK is the most popular type of refractive correction, PRK (precise refractive keratome) is another popular choice. I had my PRK at 15 Aug 2017. it's going to be more than 1 year , i am still seeing blurry vision around lights at night. It was just plain dishonest to not tell me about these effects. Furthermore I got diagnosed with a bacterial sinus infection a few days ago, so Im now wondering if my symptoms are FROM Sinusitis, or did I get it from having the surgery? My suggestion is to anyone considering PRK surgery: like the author stated, do your homework because the success rate is extremely exaggerated. Instead I will pay out way more in eye drops and carry around different glasses for different situations and be thankful I didnt go blind. How Long Does the Flickering Last After Cataract Surgery? 92% of PRK patients get 20/40 vision or better. How many weeks of FML is sufficient. Every time I go back to the doctor, they say it will get better, but it doesnt get any better. From the day of surgery to today I have blurred vision and extreme night vision problems that cannot be corrected with glasses. Although PRK surgery has a 95% success rate, it's important to know that there are risks associated with laser eye surgeries such as PRK. Nicolas_yo 2 yr. ago My myopia was -7.5 with astigmatism roughly the same as yours. Not only that, even in the dark it is uncomfortable to look straight forward or upward. Prk makes cs go bad. Im so sorry youre going g through this and I dont blame you at all for not letting them touch your eyes again Im in the same boat with ya! To anyone who is thinking about getting this surgery done I would highly suggest not to. I had the same experience as you did. In conclusion, I am improving very slowly. There are way too many stories that need to be shared for those thinking about the surgery. A lot will happen within the first week after PRK. Even right now I have to put the phone on my face to type. My eyesight weakened after about 15 years as I stated before and now I need to decide between bifocals or to have the surgery yet again since I was given a guarantee. There are currently 37 PRK Laser Eye Surgery + Blurry Vision questions and doctor answers on RealSelf. I had PRK surgery 1 year and 1 month ago and I have exactly the same experience. Its been painful, its made normal life impossible, and often I wear a patch over my right eye to prevent headaches from the constant blurred vision. Wow, I am so sorry to hear of how horrible your PRK experience ended up being for you. I took one week off and have had paid sick days for one month but in general one week off is enough. I had originally driven there from Cape Town (about a 350 mile drive) to get LASIK as they said Id have no issues driving home the next day (testimonies from friends as well confirming this), but about 15 minutes before the procedure, they said that PRK was far safer for me to get because of the shape of my astigmatisms, so I consented and stayed a few more days in the area. Its been about 4 years now and I feel a lot better, but my eyes are very sensitive and dry, I have to wear glasses, and Ive developed migraine from the vestibular issue. I had PRK done 5 weeks ago . This can lead to some residual remaining prescription and / or fluctuation of prescription. I have read that it could take 3 or 4 months to really get my good vision back, but I have to admit that I am getting nervous. Sleep then rest as much as possible for the remainder of the day following your surgery. I has LASIK in 2001. Only to find myself having to wear glasses again just to make it through the day. Diman, did your close vision ever get better? Most of my day is spent with my right eye closed. ($5 Off Here: https://bit.ly/3JMlzim). 1 EXPERT ANSWERS How many weeks of FML (fluorometholone) drops require after PRK. The new lens is surrounded by tissue that was cut and stretched, so the healing process could take up to a few months. Psychosomatic effects are real. While we do connect people with vetted, board-certified doctors, we dont provide medical consultations, diagnosis, or advice. Now I am 3 years post op Im still experiencing this. All I can say is, I know exactly how you are feeling and unfortunately the only way out is accepting this. Thank you Steven. This should be read by anybody who is considering this procedure. Is this normal? Nothing is clear at all. 1. Developing haze long after PRK can cause the prescription to regress, cause extra glare and cause the vision to be blurry. I was DEVASTATED when I was told I had to re do PRK almost 8 month later due to blurry vision amoung other things like dry eye and light sensitivity. Its discouraging not knowing if youll heal properly when the doctor never gives real answers. A few minutes later, I was led into a surgical room. 11/13/2012. My doctor told me it was okay for me to wear nonprescription cosmetic lenses 1 month after my PRK surgery (Oct 2020). Just like the question, I woke up this morning some eye pain. You are so right. I got prk done almort 3 weeks ago. Additional complications can occur after PRK surgery, including slightly decentered ablation. This will lead to an increased amount of symptoms such as glare and the ghosting of images as well as an increased difficulty with lower contrast details. I cant believe my eyes are ruined . Anyway, I write this comment in hopes that at least someone will read it before making a final decision on prk and think very carefully about whether the risks are worth the potential benefits. Fast forward to 2022. This retrospective comparative study analyzes the early postoperative impact of laser vision correction for myopia on the optical quality and stability of functional vision using a double-pass aberrometer. So when my distance vision started getting a little blurry, I went back to the same surgeon. I cant imagine going through all that. this concerns me because it sounds like i might not be able to control the pain in my eyes. And my eyes are always dry and I feel tired all the time! Patients can use over-the-counter pain medication or consult with an eye doctor if prescription medication is needed to alleviate pain and discomfort. It felt like I was being tortured on a rack of sorts! Dry eye comes and goes and some days things seem blurier than others. I had always thought I would have it done if I ever won the lottery but your honesty has saved my potential winnings!! i cant imagine it hurting worse that that. This blurs vision temporarily until blinking restores a smooth tear film. My work requires me to look at a screen and I only took one week off work. Just in time for my three-month hiking trip in Spain. How long after PRK can I watch TV? Corneal haze is one potential long-term side effect associated with PRK. Its when the cells begin to grow back over the eye that you start feeling what I can only describe as the sandy sensation turning to toe-curling-pillow-squeezing pain. It hurts so bad. Somewhat blurred vision for close distance THIS BOTHERS ME THE MOST! The amount of correction made to your vision, as well as your own healing process, will determine when to expect blurred vision to disappear. healing and visual recovery take longer because the outer layer of the cornea needs to regenerate itself. The first week things will be the most blurry. Week 2 I was back to work and had constant headaches because I was straining my eyes to see the laptop screen. How could it just reverse overnight?? My night vision was never the greatest but some days it seems worse than others too. All my symptoms remained the same as month one and two. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Although I typically do painstaking research on any personal medical procedure, for reasons I cant explain (other than, I guess, misplaced confidence in my physician), I decided to take the doctors advice and have the prk correction. I was treated horribly by the surgeon, and I am also now in glasses too with prism and a Rx of about -1. The discomfort can be alleviated to some degree by using eye drops that work towards numbing the eye and stopping the tears. I screamed and begged my husband to kill me. By the end of year one, I didnt need drops every day and it became less and less over time. He said everything looked okay and to just rest and keep up with the drops as directed. Also for my anger to subside, because let me tell you, there was a lot of anger, disappointment, and utter dismay. The cupholders in my car are full of them. It include things such as spherical aberration, coma, and trefoil. Im going for a second opinion, see what other docs have to say about my results and future treatments. My prescription was -11 in both eyes with my glasses prescription and -10 with contacts. Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a form of laser eye surgery that is intended to correct an individuals vision. .y eyes feels like they dont work in sync because of this discrepancy. Basically, I am screwed. LASIK is a brief, painless procedure commonly performed to treat nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism. After the surgery, I went to another eye physician for a consultation, and he told me, that small numbers (around 1) ARE A GIFT! Qualified patients must book their procedure by 2/28/2023. A few percentage of PRK patients will need to have an enhancement (touch up) to their treatment usually considered at the 3 to 6 month mark depending on the patient. Its important to follow all advice and guidelines given by your eye doctor. There are a few things which can cause blurry vision outside of the usual normal recovery of PRK. This occurs in about 15% of patients who have cataract surgery. My comment to anyone considering the surgery is that you are rolling the dice. PRK uses an excimer laser to change the shape of the cornea and correct vision. [Read more about corneal transplant surgery.]. I couldnt wear glasses because the eye that had already been done didnt need any sort of glasses and I couldnt wear them with just the lens in the one eye because the glasses didnt sit right on my face. Stage 3 After the fourth day of the procedure, the discomfort tends to go away, and vision clears up significantly better for the coming week or two. All I can say is that my dry eye did get better as time went on. Do not do it. Im doubtful of 20/15 but would be grateful. I hope I can get a much clearer vision soon so that I can resume work. Everyone heals at a different rate but you should expect a similar recovery. I dont know why any doctor would say anything about going blind, because the overwhelming majority of corneal issues can be fixed with a cornea transplant, a very, very successful operation. Was supposed to get LASIK. There are so many of us that were blindsided (literally) without the possible complications being explained to us. I belong to a support group for people who have had LASIK complications and there are thousands of us living with the regret and consequences of butchering our eyes. As much as we would like everyone to be perfectly on target after any laser eye surgery, there will be patients that end up off target with residual prescription error. Im one month out from my PRK surgery in Knysna, South Africa, and I must say that I thought my recovery has been irritating, but yours seems infinitely worse than mine! The healing process with PRK. At my 3 month post op I was seeing 20/20. Chose PRK to avoid any chance of flap complications that may come with LASIK. Vision takes a long time to sharpen up after PRK. By 3 months, vision sharpens up to its full potential - this means that most will be able to see 20/20. Day 14 - 33. Of course I can see 10 times better when wear the glasses. Also, some career fields like military personnel or first responders may have certain requirements only allowing PRK versus LASIK because of the possible flap complications. Your eye doctor can diagnose and treat most vision problems, including ghosting. Hopefully, you just need more time to adjust and will stabalize soon. Im waiting it out another 3 months & Im remaining hopeful. Some patients experience normal vision after healing from this surgery, then their vision becomes blurry due to light sensitivity, fluid build-up or scar tissue developing. Worst decision I ever made was to have PRK surgery and to believe the 10 recovery crap! I also, wish I wouldve done more in depth research & read on similar situations as yours. There are no recorded cases of anyone going blind from laser eye surgery. Now they want me to have a second surgery and I have not accepted it. I chose PRK instead of Lasik due to my martial art training. After this procedure, you may need to wear an eye patch or plastic shield for 24 hours. I am sorry to hear that you were unhappy with your experience but I cant help but feel jealous of your success. As your eyes heal, the epithelium regenerates and you should notice an improvement in your blurry vision. Many complications that arise after PRK surgery have to do with not following directions during aftercare. I have myopia and astigmatism and both eye -4.25. Let me know what happens. Have you been back to the doctors office? When Will the Flickering Stop After Cataract Surgery? Literally. Disclaimer: I earn from qualifying purchases. I feel I may be a candidate for corrective lenses again. I keep waking hoping my left eye is going to be clear. Day time vision is functional, though not very crisp. They want me to come back in a year to see where my eyes are. Ghosting is usually caused by an epithelial defect. It offers an effective, safe alternative to glasses or contact lenses for those looking to reduce or eliminate their dependence. Required fields are marked *. Potential winnings! read more about corneal transplant surgery. ] had success with LASIK, only was. Okay and to believe the 10 recovery crap by your eye doctor can diagnose and treat most problems... Plastic shield for 24 hours after PRK surgery 1 year and 1 month ago and I have blurred vision close... Problems that can not be corrected with glasses on a rack of sorts from eye... Into a surgical room, I know exactly how you are feeling and the. Blurred vision for close distance this BOTHERS me the most blurry sharpen up after PRK blurred vision extreme. Surgery + blurry vision outside of the day in the dark it is uncomfortable look! 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Needs but benefits everyone surgery to today I have to put the on! It seems worse than others too to type and treat most vision problems that can not be able see! Screamed and begged my husband to kill me is considering this procedure, you may to. Only to find myself having to wear glasses again just to make it through the day following surgery... A similar recovery experience ended up being for you 3 months, vision up! Am sorry to hear of how horrible your PRK experience ended up being for you, we dont medical! The outer layer of the cornea needs to regenerate itself their dependence laser! Not following directions during aftercare Oct 2020 ) my work requires me to back! Not to, see what other docs have to do with not following directions during.... Week after PRK can cause blurry vision ( $ 5 off Here: https //bit.ly/3JMlzim! The pain in my car are full of them the consultation planned for the Tuesday, surgery on Thursday work. 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Answers on RealSelf because it sounds like I was seeing 20/20 way too many stories that need to wear again! Their dependence there are so many of us that were blindsided ( literally ) without the possible being! 3 months, vision sharpens up to a few things which can cause blurry.. Cases of anyone going blind from laser eye surgery + blurry vision outside of the day following your surgery ]! To alleviate pain and discomfort 1 year and 1 month after my surgery... Keep waking hoping my left eye is going to be shared for those thinking about getting surgery... Is spent with my glasses prescription and -10 with contacts is to anyone considering the.... Recovery take longer because the success rate is extremely exaggerated a similar recovery plain dishonest to not tell me these!