U Education

f you want to get rid of your eyeglasses, laser eye surgery may be an ideal choice. Photorefractive keratectomy, or PRK, is a widely popular surgery that eye surgeons mostly use to improve vision by correcting refractive errors in the eye. This includes farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism. Depending on your needs and overall health, you may have PRK eye surgery done in one or both eyes. Read on to learn more about PRK laser eye surgery to make an informed decision.

PRK Procedure

Before PRK Laser Eye Surgery

During your appointment with the surgeon before the surgery, they will examine your eyes and test your vision. Be sure to inform them of any over the counter and prescription medications you use regularly. They may ask you to:

• Stop using rigid, gas permeable contact lenses at least 3-4 weeks before your surgery
• Avoid other contact lenses at least one week before the procedure
• Stop taking any antihistamines
• Use a prescribed antibiotic eye drop for 3-5 days before your PRK laser eye surgery, or recommend an eye drop for dry eyes if required

3 Days Before the Surgery

Thoroughly cleanse your eyes by following these steps:

• Place a warm compress on your eyes for 5-10 minutes.
• Run your finger gently on your upper eyelid. Use movements from the inside near your nose to the outside by your ears. Repeat this five times for the lower and upper eyelids.
• Then, wash your eyelashes and eyelids thoroughly. You may use baby shampoo or gentle soap to avoid irritation.
• Repeat the process twice every day to empty the oil glands near your lash line.

Day of the PRK Laser Procedure

Listed below are a few things you should consider to ensure a smooth surgery and avoid any issues after the procedure:

• Make arrangements for your ride back home because you may not be able to drive a vehicle so soon after undergoing PRK laser eye surgery.
• Have a light meal before you arrive at the eye clinic.
• Be sure to arrive on time so you can relax and get ready for the procedure.
• Do not wear makeup or accessories such as earrings, scarves, or anything that may interfere with the procedure.
• Be sure to wear comfortable clothing.
• If you feel sick, talk to your surgeon about it and ask if the surgery should continue.

Surgical Procedure

PRK eye surgery takes around 10-15 minutes per eye. You may be given local anesthesia before the procedure. You may anticipate the following during the surgery:

• Your surgeon will use an eyelid holder on each eye to keep you from blinking.
• They will remove the corneal surface cells of your eye.
• Then, they will use the laser programmed with your eyes’ measurements to reshape each cornea. You may hear a series of beeps.
• Following this, they will place a clear, non-prescription contact lens on each eye as a bandage to keep your eyes clean. It will also help you avoid any infection during the healing process. It is recommended to keep the bandage contact lenses on your eyes for around one week.

Recovery After PRK Laser Procedure

After your PRK laser eye surgery, it helps to rest your eyes for the rest of the day. Your doctor may schedule a follow-up appointment the day after your surgery to assess the results. If you feel any pain or notice any signs of an eye infection such as redness, swelling, fever, and more, contact your doctor immediately.

Although your vision may seem better initially, it will become slightly blurred during the first few days of recovery. Then, it will improve significantly. Be sure to avoid rubbing your eyes and keep shampoos, soaps, and cosmetics out of your eyes at least for a week after the surgery. Also, avoid swimming and water sports for a few weeks. You may wear protective gear to shield them from the sun’s harmful rays.

Read: What Should You Do After PRK Laser Eye Surgery?

Schedule an Appointment with Us for PRK Eye Surgery

At UELC, we have a team of qualified eye surgeons to cater to your needs. They will understand your concerns, assess your eye health, conduct necessary tests, and recommend the best measures to improve your vision.

If you have any questions about scheduling PRK eye surgery with us, give us a call at 416-653-8352. You could also fill out our online form to book a complimentary appointment with our eye doctors.