Has anyone had the PRK instead of Lasik done?

I went yesterday for a Lasik consultation and I didn't qualify for Lasik but I can have the PRK done instead. They said it's the same end result just a longer recovery. Just wanted to see if anyone had any experience with it. how uncomfortable after? how long till you could see? TIA

Re: Has anyone had the PRK instead of Lasik done?

I had PRK done last July....and lets just say the ends justify the means! It's a quick, painless procedure, just like LASIK, BUTTTT recovery isn't just longer, but really uncomfortable/painful.

My sis had LASIK and got up and drove to work/school the next day. I was incapacitated for a few days at least after my PRK! It felt like Sharp, grainy bits of sand constantly rubbing against my eyes ...I really wished they warned me more specifically about this besides a print out w "possible side effects" that didn't say it would last so long. Thank goodness I had my mom available to care for my toddlers, or DH would have had to take a few days off from work. Again, something they should have warned us of.

I'm not trying to knock it though, I went to a good place, and after a few mos, my eyesight was and still is better than 20/20! (After recovery, I think I was still a little blurry, like 20/40). Just glad I get to give someone else the heads up! Good luck!

Re: Has anyone had the PRK instead of Lasik done?

I got prk last year and have to agree with the pp when she said "the end justifies the means". The recovery is not quick and can be pretty uncomfortable. You have to realize that it is a very gradual healing process and that it is normal for your eyesight to fluctuate during the healing time. It can get pretty frustrating at times and there are a lot of follow up appointments for the first 2 months. For me, it took a few weeks to just feel normal. Do I regret it, no way! I was in glasses since I was 5 so it was totally worth it for me. I now see 20/20 and do not miss glasses or contacts In the least. It is just important to be aware that it is extremely different then LASIK. Good luck!

Re: Has anyone had the PRK instead of Lasik done?

i had it too - recovery was painful and after a week i was 20/40 - by 3 months 20/20 - i had it almost 9 years ago

both my brother's had lasik and my brother was surprised when my doc handed me a prescription for demerol - it is definetly very painful for the first 3 days - you need to stay in a dark room for 3 days and have some one available to drive you to see the doc each day -

it is worth it in the end but it is a lot harder recovery then lasik - procedure is pretty easy itself still

Re: Has anyone had the PRK instead of Lasik done?

I had the PRK done a few years ago and yes the recovery was rough. I had a prescription for vicodin and I actually had to take it and I hardly ever take pain meds. The first day/night I laid in bed with the light out, curtains closed and sunglasses on. The next day I felt a lot better, but it did take about 3 days to feel 100%

Re: Has anyone had the PRK instead of Lasik done?

i was elligible for both and went with prk. my dr said that sometimes with lasik, the cornea flap can dettach itself on its own spontaneously and you would need a replacement cornea. With prk-no chance of tha because of the way your eye heals after the surgery. He also asked me if I planned to have kids-and i said yes. He said that if you acidentally get poked in the eye by your kid (or anything ese for that matter), it also can dettach the cornea.Two kids later and many pokes later I always remember to thank my dr when the kids poke my eye. Yes recovery was miserable. No driving, lots of tears, burning, sensitivity to light, whining, meds etc BUT my vision is perfect and my dr cannot see the incision site 5yrs later. A little trivial fact-from what I have read/have been told-PRK is the only vision procedure allowed to military personnel who fly aircraft for the above reason. hth

Re: Has anyone had the PRK instead of Lasik done?

I also had PRK, but didn't find it as uncomfortable as others did. Just a little longer recovery. Had the surgery thursday and sunday night we were at a movie and had a little bit of a hard time but that was it. wore sunglasses the first few days because of sensitivity. back to work monday. they gave me percoset but I only took them the first day.

100000% the best thing I ever did. I have 20/15 vision now, according to my checkups.