Eye Surgery?!

Eye Surgery?

I've heard of Lasik eye surgery which doesn't require any cutting or whatever. Tell me more about it and about the process. And if you've had it or not. Any side effects?

PRK doesn't involve creation of a flap. I just had PRK a month ago.

What happens is the surgeon removes with a little brush the outermost layer, the epithelium, of the cornea. There's no cutting...and your eyes are numb and you do not feel anything, except some very slight pressure, no pain at all...and I thought it actually tickled. Then the laser is performed. A bandage contact lens is put in place to protect the main part of the cornea until the epithelium heals...about 4 days. It is uncomfortable during that time, but my surgeon provided numbing drops for severe discomfort, and a prescription for pain medication, an antibiotic drop, and two anti-inflammatory drops.

Postop, my vision fluctuated, and the longer I had those contacts in, the cloudier it got, BUT, the day the contacts came off my vision cleared up a lot. I still have some slight vision fluctuation, due to dry eyes (a very common side effect with both LASIK and PRK), but my vision is just as good now as it was with my contacts.

The side effects for PRK are the same as LASIK. There is postoperative glare or halos (I call them "firework thingys"...actually are quite pretty lol), and dry eyes that artificial tears take care of very quickly. My job (and now my part time job) keep me on the computer for probably 12-16 hours a day and I have had some additional problems with eye strain, but it really isn't bad at all when I remember to take frequent breaks (just a habit change for me). I'm still light sensitive...but nearly baseline for that as well (always was very sensitive to light before). I have my six week followup in 10 days and I fully expect to be 20/20 in both eyes, if I'm not...I'm real close...20/20 in my left eye 12 days after surgery, 20/30 in the right (I scratched myself putting my drops in).

All in all, getting PRK was one of the best experiences...and I think it is because I had a WONDERFUL surgeon who has focused on the cornea through his fellowship at an excellent eye clinic, teaches at a medical school not far from where I live, and is very involved with the Lion's Club in my state.

Keep in mind this is surgery, and like ANY surgery, there are risks of infections and complications that are outlined in the article on PRK that I have linked to below. The complication rate is about 5% nationwide.

I would recommend anyone considering refractive surgery to have a consultation, and to research the surgeons in your area carefully. Do not go by price alone. I strongly feel that you get what you pay/do not pay for, and by going to the 'lowest bidder' isn't always the best option. These are the only eyes you will have, and I didn't choose by price at all, and felt very, very confident in my surgeon...and I honestly do not believe he let me down at all. I'm very happy with my results.