Prk

[kev225]

I went in to be checked to see if I was a candidate for lasik, and they told me I would not be a good candidate for lasik but good for PRK. I havn't seen anything on these boards about this. Anyone else have it...and how did it go?

I'd appreciate any input...thanks!

[McGunner]

I had the procedure on February 24th. It has been 4 weeks as of today since the surgery, though my visual clarity has gotten better, I still only have approximately 20/40 vision in both eyes. I have repeatedly called my doctor over the past 4 weeks and I am still being told to be patient and give it time. They assure me that I SHOULD have 20/20 vision by the end of the healing process (90 days). I was unaware that the results would take so long with PRK and I am hoping for the best. I am able to function, but obviously not at 100%. I can drive, see near vision (out to about 15-20 yards, then it starts getting blurry and not as clear. As far as discomfort and dry eye, that ended at about week 2-3. I was told to expect the bulk of the healing between weeks 3 and 5. I spent $4,000 for the procedure and am growing somewhat impatient, as I expected the healing process to be quicker. If I end up with less than 20/20 when it's all said and done, after spending $4,000, I will be upset to say the least. A friend of mine had PRK over a year ago with the same doctor and he had faster results and doesn't regret it in the least. I am worried as he has told me that he had clear vision and clarity almost immediately afterwards and continues to this day. I go in for my one month visit with my regular doctor next week and I called and spoke with his RECEPTIONIST ealier today. She told me that I should have been seeing significant results by now and that this was unusual, but then again, this was my doctor's receptionist. Let me know what you know about the procedure and any other questions that I can help you with. I'm still crossing my fingers.

[jakem1]

Hi McGunner,

Did you PRK eye improve after 1 month?

Originally Posted by McGunner

I had the procedure on February 24th. It has been 4 weeks as of today since the surgery, though my visual clarity has gotten better, I still only have approximately 20/40 vision in both eyes. I have repeatedly called my doctor over the past 4 weeks and I am still being told to be patient and give it time. They assure me that I SHOULD have 20/20 vision by the end of the healing process (90 days). I was unaware that the results would take so long with PRK and I am hoping for the best. I am able to function, but obviously not at 100%. I can drive, see near vision (out to about 15-20 yards, then it starts getting blurry and not as clear. As far as discomfort and dry eye, that ended at about week 2-3. I was told to expect the bulk of the healing between weeks 3 and 5. I spent $4,000 for the procedure and am growing somewhat impatient, as I expected the healing process to be quicker. If I end up with less than 20/20 when it's all said and done, after spending $4,000, I will be upset to say the least. A friend of mine had PRK over a year ago with the same doctor and he had faster results and doesn't regret it in the least. I am worried as he has told me that he had clear vision and clarity almost immediately afterwards and continues to this day. I go in for my one month visit with my regular doctor next week and I called and spoke with his RECEPTIONIST ealier today. She told me that I should have been seeing significant results by now and that this was unusual, but then again, this was my doctor's receptionist. Let me know what you know about the procedure and any other questions that I can help you with. I'm still crossing my fingers.

[McGunner]

Jake,

Yes, my vision finally cleared up and I have 20/20 vision now. The only problem is that I deployed overseas since then and noticed near the end of my deployment my eyes were straining when I would read or look at things up close and it was a little blurry.

My eyes were extremely dry and hard to keep open (to the point of pain, mainly in the mornings) over there and I attributed this to the environment.

Shortly after getting home I went in to see my eye doctor and he told me that I have a slight astigmatism and not to be concerned. He felt that the surgery had nothing to do with it and for now it's just something that he felt I could deal with as long as I use eye drops with no need for corrective lenses.

They told me in the initial assesment that even after the surgery, I could still have a need in the future to wear reading glasses and I understood this. I still would have had the procedure looking back as it is great not to have to wear contacts or glasses and if I need to wear reading glasses in the future, then that's acceptable to me.

On a side note, the doctor told me that they are in the process of developing a type of surgery which corrects near and far sightedness at the same time.