As some of you know and some of you don't I had PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) laser vision correction on Monday. I figured I would give you all a run down of it all and each day of recovery
Let me start by saying, you get a free consultation to make sure you are eligible, you can't wear contacts 15 days before that, then 15 days before the surgery so I spent the past month of my life wearing glasses and being miserable (reinforcing why I wanted the surgery)
PRK V. LASIK, PRK they scrape and discard the top layer of cells over over your cornea, then zap the eye. LASIK they cut a flap , zap the eye than place the flap back on. I was eligible for both but because of my career (mechanic) hobbies (drag racing, jet skiing,etc
and having astigmatism, the doctor said that PRK was much safer. If you have LASIK and get hit in the face or get metal in your eye you run the risk of having flap dislodgment because the flap is never as strong as it was before it was removed. All police, fighters and military get PRK.
LASiK recovery is a day or two. PRK is a week or more, sometimes months before your vision stabilizes to 20/10 -15
PRK cost was 4900, LASIK cost was 5900. no insurance covers it with the exception of active military to my understanding
I was nervous, very nervous, about the actual surgery process which turned out to be not bad at all.
Day 1- Get to the surgery center, they re-examine your eyes, they start giving you numbing drops an hour before, I took a small amount of valium to prevent any anxiety attacks from occurring. fill out some papers, everyone is really nice, you have the surgery in plain clothes, sweat pants, a t shirt, jordans lol makes it a relaxed atmosphere.
Actual surgery procedure was 15 mins, my mom was able to watch thru a window and on a tv screen. you feel no pain at all during the surgery.
meds- you put tons of eye drops in 4 times a day, take advils for pain, tons of refresh plus moisture drops)
day 1 recovery. you go home immediatly. wear sunglasses, they tell u to sleep which is impossible because I was all wound up. your eyes hurt, your vision is iffy. go to bed early
day 2-right eye was clear left eye was blurry, some pain, you have follow up post op appointment. they tell you to watch tv , computer, phone if you feel comfortable. as day 2 goes thru i started getting more pain and light sensitiveness and you are able to keep your eyes open less. Sleeping sucked was in pain took advils all night
day 3-left eye was clearer than right eye and pain was bad, like regretting doing the surgery bad, couldnt keep eyes open at all, pretty much had my mom lead me around all day. tv on in background couldnt watch ****.
day 4- I just woke up, put my eye drops in, i can see out left eye right eye is blurry, pain is almost gone, i am able to use computer (obviously im writing this) but blurry. TV can be watched. bored and stir crazy. its dark and rainy out im still wearing sunglasses in the house with minimal lights on
its obvious that the eyes are healing, and I am starting to feel better.
will keep you all posted on days going forward.
also let me say that my DR - Dr. Gershenbaum (sp) at freehold eye was a great doctor. I highly recommend him, he knows exactly what he is doing and is very friendly and down to earth. Since you dont want to play games with your eyes, feeling comfortable and trusting your surgeon is def importnant ! 1