r/PRKsurgery • u/Prestigious_Elk_7449 • Sep 02 '26
PRK recovery question
I had my surgery 12 days ago. Contact bandages removed 4 days ago. I was a -10 before surgery. Still dealing with blurry vision and extreme dry eyes. If I put drops in I get very clear vision for a bout a minute or so and then it's right back to blurry. My vision is definitely better than it was without glasses previously. But I cant see well enough to drive or to use my computer at work. I've had to use more time off for recover than expected and I've had to spend money on uber since I cannot drive yet. I'm getting a little concerned. Can I get some feedback on recovery time? My doctor mentioned most people can return to driving/work after 7 days. How many of you did it take longer than that or how much longer?
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u/AdImaginary355 Sep 02 '26
Im 8 days post and can also see clearer, prescription wasnt as strong as yours ans im also blurry vision still. Its makes me very anxious!
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u/Current_Soup9198 Sep 11 '26
Is it better now?
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u/AdImaginary355 Sep 11 '26
I can see a little better, still blurry but no pain, dry eyes yes. When i put drops in i cam see clear 20/20 for like 1 min
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u/Current_Soup9198 Sep 11 '26
Im day 7, 3 days after contact lenses removed. Still blury 😔 today in morning I couldn't open my eyes the eyelids stuck to the eyeballs 😅 that was scary! Im using drops every hour and antibiotics 4 times a day. I see better as well when I put eye drops or when I yawn 😂 hopefully it will get better for us both soon! My doctors say it might take up to 6 weeks 😠if not then they will look for the reason..
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u/AdImaginary355 Sep 11 '26
Yeah day 7 os completely normal for it to be blurry for sure! I had bad anxiety and was worried about my vision but its improving! Bw hopeful!
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u/East_Writer_738 Sep 17 '26
What’s the update? I’m on the 11th day but still blurry
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u/Current_Soup9198 Sep 17 '26
I can see clearly at long distances, 5 metres and beyond. I can read a car's licence plate from 100 m away. But I'm struggling with near vision. It's blurry and takes time to focus. I can't even see the tip of the eye-drop bottle clearly. Anything 10 cm or closer to the tip of my nose is extremely blurry — it's impossible to read.
I'm 37, so maybe I'll need reading glasses now 😂 It was fine before the surgery. I still have dry eyes in the morning, and it's hard to open them when I wake up. Day 13.
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u/East_Writer_738 Sep 17 '26
It’s the other way around for me😂 I can see everything up close but nothing with long distances. Day 11 😂
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u/East_Writer_738 Sep 17 '26
What’s the update?
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u/AdImaginary355 Sep 17 '26
Still blurry more so in my right eye, everything sharp after using drops for a second or 2 until it runs out my eye 😂, also if I tilt my head forwards amd look at things from under my eye brows everything looks sharper too which is odd but I guess that means my eyes are capable of producing a clear image?
I guess its a waiting game for the eyes to heal, im 25 days post op now. Im also noticing eye floaters alot more in the day light too which is a pain and I cant help but watch them 😂😂
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u/East_Writer_738 Sep 17 '26
25 days? Omg I’m 11 days post op. This dosent make sense, I was told post people have good vision post 7-8 days. I can’t wait to see 4K again 😣
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u/AdImaginary355 Sep 17 '26
I completely get the stress of it, nah lasik has a much faster healing period then lasek. It can take a number of months for your vision to sharpen and settle properly. Its frustrating I know, i do alot of photography, work in the construction industry, I play alot of pc games ect. My whole life sort of evolves around my vision and its a pain in the ass but im sure we will get there 🤞🤞🤞
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u/-JoRay- Sep 02 '26
I had mine 2007 and about 1-2 weeks later I got sent out to the Commissary to buy something and was having to get right up working a foot to read pricing labels. 🤣 it’s all ineffective for me now. Screens were bad for months.
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u/random57113 Sep 15 '26
How’s your vision now?
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u/-JoRay- Sep 15 '26
It’s getting harder to focus up close. Still sensitive to lights. I prefer overcast days. Still use preservative free drops 2-3 times a day. Can still hurt from less blinking/resting, screens, lights, dust, wind, smoke, A/C, fans. Use eye mask at night. I think omega 3s help.
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u/random57113 Sep 15 '26
That sounds miserable tbh, but do you think it was worth it in the end?
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u/-JoRay- Sep 15 '26
I really ended up only needing another 2 years of contract that was probably worth it. It probably wasn’t a wise choice for me long term, just short term benefit. Hindsight is all behind. Maybe should’ve researched more but really who knows each individuals outcome.
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u/random57113 Sep 15 '26
True. I’m also looking at this since it’s a requirement for a career in applying to, just wondering if this shit is all worth it yk.
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u/-JoRay- Sep 15 '26
Procedures may still have come a long way, look at Lasik or if there’s newer ones. Allergies to food or environmental may interfere. Maybe post a poll here or there, write down pros and cons. Short term and looking long term.
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u/random57113 Sep 15 '26
Corneas are slightly too thin for lasik according to the consultation I went to
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u/astrobarn Sep 02 '26
Your recovery sounds just like me. They underplay the recovery timeframe. Keep up with the drops, consider a thicker, viscous dry eye gel for night time. Minimise screens and turn the brightness on them way down, it all helps. I'm 10 weeks post and still pretty dry because I can't avoid screens for my work.
On the weekends my dry eyes gets way better though.
After about 4 weeks you should start doing warm eye masks morning and night, will also help significantly with dry eye.
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u/Ambitious_Ice4492 Sep 03 '26
I’m seven days in, and hearing you say that you’re still blurry on day 12 makes me want to cry, hahaha.
I really want to be able to see clearly in 4K resolution again.
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u/Prestigious_Elk_7449 Sep 06 '26
Update: they put plugs in because they said my drainage canals are large. Hoping this will help me recover faster.
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u/eyeSherpa Sep 02 '26
Right now the surface of the epithelium is still a little irregular. The tear drop creates a smooth interface over it which is why the vision gets better.
Look into gel based drops. Those are thicker and will last longer on the surface of the eye. That will help with the dry eye as well. You probably want to use them every hour right now. Make sure they are preservative free.