So... tomorrow I'm having PRK eye surgery!!!

[G.I.Jim]

Just wondering if anyone here has had it? If so, how long after the surgery before the pain subsides? I'm excited about the chance of shedding these damn glasses. I've worn them since I was 12!

[Triple S]

Just wondering if anyone here has had it? If so, how long after the surgery before the pain subsides? I'm excited about the chance of shedding these damn glasses. I've worn them since I was 12!

I had 'no-touch PRK' 5 years ago. The recovery was not what I expected - it was much slower. I thought I'd be back at work the following week, ended up having to take 3 weeks off because of intense pain the first few days, and then double vision. I thought for sure something had gone wrong, started reading (as much as I could at the time ) and found an internet discussion forum - I think it was this one I've posted below - where I came to realize my symptoms were quite normal and not nearly as bad as some. (The pain was basically due to the fact that the bandage contacts were removed too soon). Bottom line is, everyone recovers differently. Again, mine was slow, and it was a good year before I felt my vision was OK. I have no regrets - I too wore glasses/contacts since about 12 and it so nice not to have to do that! My vision is great and the only (small) drawback is some dryness that can be conquered with good eye drops. So just be patient with the recovery - you may even be one of the lucky ones who has virtually no post-op issues. Good luck!

http://www.lasereyeforum.com/

[Ehwmatt]

What's PRK? Different from Lasik? I'll be looking into doing it in a few years. I wear glasses and contacts about 50/50 between the two. I've also had them since I was about 12, but I didn't need them all the time until I was about 16. I really just can't wear contacts all day. My eyes just dry out too much. I've tried daily wears, different brands, renewal drops while wearing them... nothing helps ease discomfort once I've had them in for 6-8+ hours.

I really don't mind wearing glasses from a looks standpoint - I always wear them for work and keep contacts limited to social stuff, sports and other activities, and the like.

But I hate the inconvenience of things like trying to lay down at night and watch TV without either (1) the discomfort of contacts when I'm tired or (2) the feeling of glasses moving around and the possibility of bending them if I accidentally fall asleep. I also hate having to pack contacts and glasses when I go on a trip. Just an extra hassle. It would be nice to just go on a trip without worrying about packing that stuff, go play a sport without throwing my contacts in, lay down and watch TV without feeling contacts or glasses on my eyes, and all that.

[G.I.Jim]

Just wondering if anyone here has had it? If so, how long after the surgery before the pain subsides? I'm excited about the chance of shedding these damn glasses. I've worn them since I was 12!

I had 'no-touch PRK' 5 years ago. The recovery was not what I expected - it was much slower. I thought I'd be back at work the following week, ended up having to take 3 weeks off because of intense pain the first few days, and then double vision. I thought for sure something had gone wrong, started reading (as much as I could at the time ) and found an internet discussion forum - I think it was this one I've posted below - where I came to realize my symptoms were quite normal and not nearly as bad as some. (The pain was basically due to the fact that the bandage contacts were removed too soon). Bottom line is, everyone recovers differently. Again, mine was slow, and it was a good year before I felt my vision was OK. I have no regrets - I too wore glasses/contacts since about 12 and it so nice not to have to do that! My vision is great and the only (small) drawback is some dryness that can be conquered with good eye drops. So just be patient with the recovery - you may even be one of the lucky ones who has virtually no post-op issues. Good luck!

http://www.lasereyeforum.com/

Thanks for scaring the hell out of me! I know people recover differently, but I really hope it's not too bad. I do have pretty sensitive eyes, and I'm planning on it being painful as hell. That way if it isn't, I'll be pleasantly surprised.

[Triple S]

Thanks for scaring the hell out of me! I know people recover differently, but I really hope it's not too bad. I do have pretty sensitive eyes, and I'm planning on it being painful as hell. That way if it isn't, I'll be pleasantly surprised.

Sorry - you asked But you've got the right idea - you shouldn't necessarily expect pain (again, my pain was more so because my own eye doctor removed the bandage contacts too soon) but don't think you'll just walk out of there and in a few short hours or days it'll be like nothing was ever done - doesn't work that way. It's like any other surgery - there can be complications but for the vast majority of people it's fine.

Matt - summary explanation as best as I can explain. With Lasik, they need to cut a flap in your cornea and apply the laser under the flap. With PRK, they apply the laser directly to the cornea, which is why the recovery is more painful. In my situation (I think because of astigmatism?) Lasik wasn't an option.

[Rip Rokken]

Best of luck, Jim - I'm sure you'll be fine. The only really negative thing I've heard was that some people needed to use drops longer than I thought would be needed -- sometimes for months, and I may have heard a report of someone who needed them ever since. Those may be very isolated cases, but I'd read up on them.

[Triple S]

I use drops most days, once in the morning (only during the week, when I have to spend time inside a dry, air-conditioned office). It's no big deal - benefits of money saved on glasses, contacts, etc. and being able to see clearly when I wake up in the morning far outweigh that. My eyes were always dry anyway wearing contacts so it's not so different.

[scarygirl]

Just wondering if anyone here has had it? If so, how long after the surgery before the pain subsides? I'm excited about the chance of shedding these damn glasses. I've worn them since I was 12!

Good luck!!

[Babyblue]

Wishing you the best of luck Jim. Its not going to be the same around here without you here for a while.

[Triple S]

Ever see the King of Queens episode where Doug surprised Carrie with laser eye surgery for her birthday? (except he used a coupon for some cheap place - Vision Village - to save money)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xwf8t0SSPU

[artist4perry]

Good luck and speedy healing.

[RedWingFan]

I had LASIK about 11 or 12 years ago. The best $1000 I ever spent. Cutting the cornea was no big deal. Didn't feel a thing. When they pulled the flap down everything did go grainy. Then the laser was a 30 second light show. Put the flap back in place and dabbed it with a swab a couple times, and done.

Took a 2 or 3 hour nap, woke up and could see clearly. What a great feeling.

[Rip Rokken]

I had LASIK about 11 or 12 years ago. The best $1000 I ever spent. Cutting the cornea was no big deal. Didn't feel a thing. When they pulled the flap down everything did go grainy. Then the laser was a 30 second light show. Put the flap back in place and dabbed it with a swab a couple times, and done.

Took a 2 or 3 hour nap, woke up and could see clearly. What a great feeling.

Dang... how do they keep the eye still during all that?

[RedWingFan]

I had LASIK about 11 or 12 years ago. The best $1000 I ever spent. Cutting the cornea was no big deal. Didn't feel a thing. When they pulled the flap down everything did go grainy. Then the laser was a 30 second light show. Put the flap back in place and dabbed it with a swab a couple times, and done.

Took a 2 or 3 hour nap, woke up and could see clearly. What a great feeling.

Dang... how do they keep the eye still during all that?

A big metal clamp. After they apply numbing drops they use the clamp. Looked like an eyelash curler (I only knew what that was because I grew up w/4 sisters) on steroids. They crank that baby open so you can't blink. It was odd not blinking for so long, but not bothersome because you couldn't feel your eye dried out. It was pretty damn amazing.

[mikemarrs]

Good luck and speedy recovery.

[Rip Rokken]

I had LASIK about 11 or 12 years ago. The best $1000 I ever spent. Cutting the cornea was no big deal. Didn't feel a thing. When they pulled the flap down everything did go grainy. Then the laser was a 30 second light show. Put the flap back in place and dabbed it with a swab a couple times, and done.

Took a 2 or 3 hour nap, woke up and could see clearly. What a great feeling.

Dang... how do they keep the eye still during all that?

A big metal clamp. After they apply numbing drops they use the clamp. Looked like an eyelash curler (I only knew what that was because I grew up w/4 sisters) on steroids. They crank that baby open so you can't blink. It was odd not blinking for so long, but not bothersome because you couldn't feel your eye dried out. It was pretty damn amazing.

How do they make sure the eye stays straight though? I guess there is some way to prevent it from darting around.

[RedWingFan]

I had LASIK about 11 or 12 years ago. The best $1000 I ever spent. Cutting the cornea was no big deal. Didn't feel a thing. When they pulled the flap down everything did go grainy. Then the laser was a 30 second light show. Put the flap back in place and dabbed it with a swab a couple times, and done.

Took a 2 or 3 hour nap, woke up and could see clearly. What a great feeling.

Dang... how do they keep the eye still during all that?

A big metal clamp. After they apply numbing drops they use the clamp. Looked like an eyelash curler (I only knew what that was because I grew up w/4 sisters) on steroids. They crank that baby open so you can't blink. It was odd not blinking for so long, but not bothersome because you couldn't feel your eye dried out. It was pretty damn amazing.

How do they make sure the eye stays straight though? I guess there is some way to prevent it from darting around.

They just tell you to look straight. When they apply the laser I remember there being a dot in the center that they tell you to stare at.

[Rip Rokken]

How do they make sure the eye stays straight though? I guess there is some way to prevent it from darting around.

They just tell you to look straight. When they apply the laser I remember there being a dot in the center that they tell you to stare at.

Makes sense, but surely someone's screwed up by having a nervous tic or something.

[Andrew]

What's PRicK surgery?

[KenTheDude]

What's PRicK surgery?

The technical term is Adadictomy. (Add a dick to me)

[mr.v]

I had LASIK about 11 or 12 years ago. The best $1000 I ever spent. Cutting the cornea was no big deal. Didn't feel a thing. When they pulled the flap down everything did go grainy. Then the laser was a 30 second light show. Put the flap back in place and dabbed it with a swab a couple times, and done.

Took a 2 or 3 hour nap, woke up and could see clearly. What a great feeling.

Dang... how do they keep the eye still during all that?

A big metal clamp. After they apply numbing drops they use the clamp. Looked like an eyelash curler (I only knew what that was because I grew up w/4 sisters) on steroids. They crank that baby open so you can't blink. It was odd not blinking for so long, but not bothersome because you couldn't feel your eye dried out. It was pretty damn amazing.

How do they make sure the eye stays straight though? I guess there is some way to prevent it from darting around.

When I had it done they use a suction ring to hold the eye in place during the surgery. Very weird feeling but the surgery took me from being leagly blind (20/250 vision) to very close to 20/20. Now I only wear readers when I have to read in low light situations. I wore glasses starting when I was 5 and had the surger when I was 39. Best money I ever spent!

[Babyblue]

What's PRicK surgery?

The technical term is Adadictomy. (Add a dick to me)

[Michigan Girl]

All of my four eyed friends have had this procedure, all with great success and
no problems!!
I have yet to take the leap, but my problems are much greater than myopia!!


RWF, that was a very good price for your surgery!!

[Melissa]

I'm too chicken to get it done. I see so clear and sharp with my contacts, and after wearing them for so long it's just routine and not a big deal at all. I can see where people who can't wear contacts for whatever reason would want to get it done though, because I would hate to have to wear glasses all the time too. I wear my glasses some days I don't bother putting my contacts in, and at night when I take them out, I never sleep with contacts in. I know some people, like one of my sister-in-laws, who do that and never take them out, I don't know how they stand it!

[Michigan Girl]

I'm too chicken to get it done. I see so clear and sharp with my contacts, and after wearing them for so long it's just routine and not a big deal at all. I can see where people who can't wear contacts for whatever reason would want to get it done though, because I would hate to have to wear glasses all the time too. I wear my glasses some days I don't bother putting my contacts in, and at night when I take them out, I never sleep with contacts in. I know some people, like one of my sister-in-laws, who do that and never take them out, I don't know how they stand it!

Me either ...I fell asleep in mine many times, in error,
and the next morning it felt like I was peeling off a layer
of eyeball skin ...I can't wear them, at all, any more!



Jimbo ...can you see yet?!?

[Behshad]

Jimbo ...can you see yet?!?

[Michigan Girl]

Jimbo ...can you see yet?!?

[Ehwmatt]

I'm too chicken to get it done. I see so clear and sharp with my contacts, and after wearing them for so long it's just routine and not a big deal at all. I can see where people who can't wear contacts for whatever reason would want to get it done though, because I would hate to have to wear glasses all the time too. I wear my glasses some days I don't bother putting my contacts in, and at night when I take them out, I never sleep with contacts in. I know some people, like one of my sister-in-laws, who do that and never take them out, I don't know how they stand it!

Me either ...I fell asleep in mine many times, in error,
and the next morning it felt like I was peeling off a layer
of eyeball skin ...I can't wear them, at all, any more!



Jimbo ...can you see yet?!?

Some of my friends wear their contacts ALL the time. Blows my mind. I know a few of them have been told that they need to stop for a while because they are tearing their corneas up... and we are talking about 25-30-year-olds here, not old men. Yet another reason (other than discomfort after a long day) that I don't wear mine more than necessary.

[Moon Beam]

Sending out swell sight wishes to you Sir, hope you're doing alright.

[Deb]

Don't go see this movie before your surgery.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKbKIoCS95A