Unsatisfactory PRK Results - What went wrong? Does this mean my left eye will need an enhancement? Is this normal?

Question

I had my PRK surgery done last month, my right eye seems to do well and then fluctuate throughout the day, however my left eye feels the same as the day of surgery...I am not happy with the results. What went wrong? Does this mean my left eye will need an enhancement? Is this normal? Will it get better?

Christopher Coad, MD · Answer

PRK recovery can take months, generally much longer than LASIK.  That is the advantage of the flap.  The healing time is much quicker and less painful.

Farzad Yaghouti, MD · Answer

You'd have to wait a minimum of 3 months for the vision to stabilize. If you are having a hard time performing your daily functions, your doctor may be able to fit you with a temporary pair of contact lenses while you are waiting for vision stabilization.

Arthur Benjamin, MD · Answer

A few things to note about PRK surgery and the results:It is normal for visual acuity to fluctuate throughout the day after LASIK or PRKFluctuating vision after LASIK or PRK is usually a sign of dry eyesPatients will frequently “see dryness” before they feel it (blurry vision, fluctuating throughout the day, worse at end of day, improving with blinking or administration of tears)Epithelial remolding may take weeks to months after PRK, resulting in some instability in visionFluctuating vision 1 month after PRK doesn’t mean something went wrongResults should get better & be patient - it can take timeAt 3 months, I take a closer look at patients and begin to consider enhancement or touch upSurgery is usually held off until 6 months, to ensure stability of the prescription

Michael K. Tracy, MD · Answer

A lot of things may be going on here, depending on your prescription and other factors.  One month after surgery is usually too early to judge whether you will need an enhancement. You may just need more time to heal. The most important thing is for your surgeon to make certain that you have no other eye problems (retinal detachment, etc).

Mark Golden, MD · Answer

PRK is an excellent method of correcting nearsightedness, but its biggest drawback is that it takes longer to heal.  Unlike LASIK where most people have good vision the next day, with PRK there is usually substantial fluctuation of vision for the first several weeks and it can take as much as three or four months before the final result is known.

Unsatisfactory PRK Results - What went wrong? Does this mean my left eye will need an enhancement? Is this normal?

Answers (8)

Answer: PRK Eye Surgery Recovery

Answer: PRK Eye Surgery Recovery

Answer: Fluctuating vision after PRK

Answer: Fluctuating vision after PRK

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Unsatisfactory PRK Results - What went wrong? Does this mean my left eye will need an enhancement? Is this normal?

Answers (8)

Answer: PRK Eye Surgery Recovery

Answer: PRK Eye Surgery Recovery

Answer: Fluctuating vision after PRK

Answer: Fluctuating vision after PRK

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Everything you need to know about PRK Laser Eye Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.