How Long Will I Have Blurry Vision After PRK?

PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy, is the original vision correction system and has given clarity to millions of patients over the past 25 years. Even after the advent of LASIK, PRK remains an efficient and common option for individuals who aren't ideal candidates for alternative vision correction techniques. So, even those with insufficient corneal tissue or other ocular conditions can enjoy crisp eyesight thanks to PRK and our experienced doctors at The Eye Center of Southern Indiana.

To find out if you're eligible for PRK, don't hesitate to contact us today to explore your options for better vision and eye health in Bloomington, IN.

How does PRK work?

PRK may also be preferable for individuals with more active lifestyles or physical jobs who are at higher risk of eye trauma. Since this version of laser vision correction does not require cutting a corneal flap, this may assist in healing for those particular individuals. Additionally, PRK may be the better choice for individuals with certain ocular diseases that could affect healing outcomes and eye structure.

As with LASIK, the procedure begins with our team numbing your eyes with drops and then using a fixture to hold the eyelids in place and prevent blinking. We then remove and discard the upper epithelial tissue of the eye – which means that instead of cutting a corneal flap, we remove a very thin layer of tissue from the cornea.

The rest of the procedure then proceeds as LASIK would, with a laser gradually reshaping the cornea to allow it to properly bend (or refract) incoming light onto the retina at the back of the eye. And that's it. Patients are done after just about 15 minutes and feel as little discomfort as possible, thanks to our advanced techniques and numbing drops.

How long will I have blurry vision after PRK?

Afterward, the recovery period is a bit longer than it would be with LASIK. But we'll check in with you over the course of frequent follow-ups to see that healing is progressing as it should, to ensure that no irregularities occur, and to evaluate the development of your improved eyesight.

Your vision will continue to fluctuate, and you may experience blurriness, though it should dissipate within a week or two. Most patients are able to resume work and other activities within a week, and full recovery and visual improvements should take between 1 – 3 months.

Results are long-lasting but are generally not considered permanent, as the aging process and other factors may affect one's ocular status, potentially altering the shape of the eye and changing one's prescription. As such, we recommend scheduling yearly eye exams with our experienced ophthalmologists, so we can make ongoing suggestions and preemptively plan the most effective treatment options possible.

Enjoy the rewards of time-tested vision correction

Following your recovery period, you should enjoy results equal to or even superior to those offered by LASIK. Millions of previous patients have attained 20/20 vision or better. And we're thrilled to offer you the same great benefits in Bloomington, IN. So, to explore your options and find out if PRK is an ideal choice for you, contact The Eye Center of Southern Indiana today.