PRK Eye Surgery || 0-3 Weeks Recovery 2019 

HOW BAD ARE YOUR EYES? Post your prescription down below!

Thanks for the content. I'm on Day 6 now and having the same feeling of 'Is this actually worth it?' Glad to know there is light at the end of the tunnel

I had PRK surgery! The actual surgery wasn't painful, but . . . OH.MY.GOSH. . . the healing time was horrible. I was curled up in the fetal position in my bathroom with a towel under the door to block out the light. My eyes were similar to yours. Something like -8.5.

I’m so glad your PRK went well. I also had PRK, by choice, in May 2018. My refractive error was -7.50 in both eyes and no astigmatism. I was corrected to 20/20 by Dr. Speaker from TLC on 5th Ave in Manhattan. It was the best $5,000 I have ever spent. No regrets and no issues - halos, starbursts, dry eyes, etc. 🙏👍🏻

I also had trans PRK on Tuesday. The first day was ridiculously painful, the second was 50% better but now I see almost perfectly so it was totally worth it. No light sensitivity no floaters nothing. I'm having my protective contacts taken out tomorrow and I can't wait to see at 100%! I couldn't see at all like -6.50 and 0.50 astigmatism. Be meticulous with your drops, do not look at screens, sleep it off and be patient! :)

Thank you for this video. I just got PRK and I found this helpful. The rates of people healing are so different. My prescription was not TOO high, but usually high enough to where my eye doctors never carried my lenses in the store they would always have to be ordered. My contact lens prescription was -4.75 1.75 x 010 on the left and -5.75 1.75 x 010 on the right. I got PRK because of my astigmatism, and they said that later down the line this procedure would be better for my eye health. Luckily my sensitivity and healing seems to be quicker than what you have described. I don't know many people that had PRK. I had the options of choosing either one. But, I will always choose what is better for my long term health over immediate results.

Currently recovering from PRK right now. Those First 2-3 days were BRUTAL!! I’m on day 5 right now. This video gave me a better idea on what to expect for the next couple weeks. Oh and I was supposed to get LASIK and was told the day of the surgery that Ill have to get PRK due to my astigmatism.

Your openness about your eye surgery opened the door to conversations in my home about lasik. I'm not sure what my prescription is but I know it's pretty bad. I've been wearing glasses since grade 2. I was always under the impression I was not a good candidate for surgery but I was just recently told that may not be true. So...now I'm considering going ahead with it. I feel overwhelmed though when I think of how drastically it would change my life. Just being able to see while swimming or even while I'm in the shower! If it weren't for you, I may have never thought to ask about it for myself. 😊 Best of luck as your recovery continues! 💕

Thanks for sharing! I had PRK almost 2 weeks ago and my vision is actually pretty good but still blurry and some double vision. Feel a lot better to know it takes a while to get that 20/20

My eyes are weird, they are -1.50 and +1.75 😅 my eye doctor told me I’m the only patient shes ever had that is nearsighted and farsighted

I’m so so glad you posted about this. My prescription is -9.50 on the left and -10.00 on the right 😳 I went in for a consultation for PRK. They told me I would need PRK and LASIK because of my prescription and astigmatism. My right eye is so bad I had a spontaneous retinal detachment 10 years ago, so I can relate to the pain of eye surgery!! So glad you are improving, you are giving me courage to reconsider this. 💕

-14.24 and -14.75. I usually wear contacts, but I have been considering surgery. Thanks for this video!

-9.00 and -6.50 Hi Jennifer, I’m a barber. Honestly how long was it before you felt ok to do regular stuff again.

-7.25 and -7. Had prk about 3 years ago. Didn’t have any pain and only slight light sensitivity. Best decision ever. And love wearing sunglasses.

Thank you for this! I’m 11 days in and still blurry… the receptionist at my surgeons office made a comment that I should be able to see by now, and it got me panicking! So relieved to know others take longer too.

Thank you for this fantastic video I learned a lot. I had lasiK 20 years ago for -7.25 in both eyes. I immediately saw excellent. 20 years later, I just had PRK (you cannot have Lasik trice) for -1.50 in each eye. I was lucky that I had zero pain nor sensitivity to light (doc said it is because the prescription is small). but it is very blurry, sometimes double vision, a week later. I wished I knew it takes so long to see. Thank you for posting this great video!

Where's the 6 month update? How well do you see and at what day/week/month would you consider yourself 100%?

I just had PRK done after doing Lasik 13 years ago. I completely agree that Lasik is the better choice. Not being able to see for the first several days is just torture. Reading small font is also still an issue. How long before your close up vision improved to the point where you can read the label on a prescription bottle?

-10 and -10.5 here .. my honey had PRK surgery during his first year in the Army, and didn't need glasses again for 13 years! (Recovery was a BEAR though - thank goodness for audiobooks!).

So glad I did Lasik instead. No pain at all! Instant corrected vision. After surgery went home took 3 hour nap and was back to work driving and patrolling the streets in 2 days. Heard to many horror stories of pain and forever waiting for corrected vision by prk.

For people wondering about her pain remark. It is possible the numbing drops started to wear off, but the tugging of opening the eye lids wider is NOT under an pain medication. The numbing drops cover the eye itself, not surrounding tissues. For anyone feeling pain, please speak up. The laser is programmed to stop working immediately if you move as well.

People don’t mention LASIK can have complications with the flap. Specially if you play sports

Did Prk, working at my office and it’s day 3. Have pre and post loaded like crazy on vitamins essential minerals kept my eyes hydrated and took some healing peptides bpc-157 and TB-500. I am still seeing blurry but right when I wake up I see clearer than I’ve ever seen in my life. It gets worse when my eyes get dryer but I just put more drops. It is uncomfortable but for me it doesn’t hurt that much but then again I’m really good with pain, I’m at the healthiest I’ve ever been in my life and have my sleep dialed which is important for healing. TOTALLY WORTH IT

Thank you for making this!! My PRK surgery is in a few weeks and I can relate to that serious nearsightedness, though you beat me on the prescription -- mine is almost -7 and -7.75. I'M SO FREAKING EXCITED!!!

Just had PRK Friday 12/20/19 they put the drops in my eye when I went in to the laser room I didn't feel a thing at all. I was -4 and -3.75 with astigmatism. I could read on my way home a bit. Pain wasn't bad I was able to listen to tv and kinda see a little. The pain was only about 2 hours a day for me felt like an eye infection. Today Monday 12/23/19 I just had my follow up. Contact where taken out and I could see the line that you should be at week 2. Doctor said I could drive and do whatever I like just to keep wearing sunglasses and taking the drops. I went to Envision Laser Center I got the lifetime with everything included along with the plugs in the tear ducts my coat was $3218. Now I have heard from others they did not have it as well as I have so far. To be able to see around the house with no glasses or contacts is amazing I can't wait till I get a full recovery!!

I had trans PRK on August 15th, 2020. My prescription was -5 for my left eye and -2.75 right eye. I drove to my first post op appointment on August 20th, but I wasn't very comfortable driving. My vision improved significantly as soon as my bandage contact lenses were removed. Today's been 15 days since the surgery and my distance vision is great but I can't see very clearly up close. My doc said it is normal. The procedure itself was super quick and comfortable, not even slightest discomfort felt. First evening my eyes hurt but the pain subsided once I fell asleep on the first night, and never came back afterwards. First 4 days my eyes just wanted to stay shut, on the 5th day my eyes were open again. Overall, I'm happy with my results. I just hope my near vision improves too.

Thanks for your perspective. So many of the RU-vid videos on the subject are people saying it was a breeze and little to no pain! I had PRK 6 days ago, and it was very uncomfortable. Could barely see for 2 days, eyes were swollen so couldn’t really function. Lots of burning. Luckily my mom came over to help but they definitely need to advise people who live alone that they may need to have somebody around to assist! They said I could work by day 5 but it’s still too hard to focus on small words(my job is very computer heavy).

I am legally blind, I lost my eyesight over the years when I was very young and no one knew because I did so well in school and wore glasses, lol. By the time they figured out what was going on at age 11, my eyesight was already at 20/200 in one eye and a little better in the other. On the bright side, I don’t have to wear glasses anymore, lol, I really hated them (I wear sunglasses with a very light perscription to protecct my eyes outside, but the script does not improve my sight at all and I have reading glasses to try to improve my near-sighted vision, they are comically thick, lol, I don’t ever wear them though 😂🤗). Now, at 32, my eyesight is 20/400 or worse in both eyes, non-correctable, non-treatable. Buuuuut, I am very happy that I was able to find a way to teach with VIPKid and love being a part of this awesome experience and community! Hope things start getting back to normal for you soon and recovery continues on a good path! I had eye surgury when I was 6 and I still remember it being awful during recovery all these years later...Glad to see you back on YT and IG! :)

my PRK was 800 dollar (total of both eyes) and i can see 20/20 after 10days, it was no pain in the first few day, just a little disconfort, im very happy

I've had glasses since I was 8. I have negative 8 as well on each side. Unfortunately, at 30, I was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and they won't do Lasik. I had been waiting from 8 years old to age 30 to finally get Lasik.

-4.25 and -4.75 🙈 I thought I had bad eyes, but you win, Jennifer! My corneas are too thin for Lasik but I am scared to do PRK! Thanks for sharing and I'd love to hear your updates. 😁👍

I had lasik done two years ago. So glad I did! My eyes were -6. Thankfully the process was so quick and I had 20/20 vision without pain the same afternoon!

Thanks for video. Day 2 my eyes hurt so bad. I can barely keep my eyes open. Had my parents buy me some Tylenol pm after listening to your video .

I had just got corrective prk on Friday, the first two days were the worst just like you said. But now it’s day 4 of recovery and I wouldn’t say I can see the best, but I’m able to be on my phone to send texts and watch RU-vid videos while I recover. I get my contacts out o think this Friday. I really will say, I had -4.50 in my right eye, my left eye was -4.75. I can’t say that I can read the best, I probably should be off of my phone as much as I am, but the recovery after day 3 was so much easier. I went from 20/100 or 20/120 to 20/40 after surgery. I was barely able to see much. But hopefully since I’ll be off my phone I’ll have a faster recovery. I hope it’s been good thus far!

With Lasik surgery, they cut your eye which creates a flap which actually never fully heals. PRK may take a bit longer for recovery, but atleast your eyes actually fully heals and a flap can't just be ripped off at any moment... im getting PRK tomorrow, so just my 2 cents. 🙂

-7.5 And kind of regretting not going with Lasik... I’m on day 4 and it’s been rough. I think I can see well enough to type on my phone, which I am very grateful for, but I’m very worried about how this might affect my ability to keep up with classes.

I had it yesterday and I’m having no pain or anything! And I can see pretty well. They did an extra procedure on me called contour I believe which smooths out the rough surface on your eyes

I got PRK 2 weeks ago! I’m seeing fine and use blue light blocking glasses at work. Occasionally I see double images but I’m healing well! I was -4.75 with astigmatism seeing 20/400 and now I’m seeing 20/20 👍🏼

Hey how is everything now?

I had gone threw asa in 2017.. And now in 2019 my vision is - 0.7 in both eyes.. And again going for enhanced asa surgery in upcoming weeks.. Never go for asa if u wannna live ur life.. I m fed up now with this so painful and longer healing time

I had zero pain. Absolutely none. I could feel it but I wouldn’t even call it uncomfortable. Even walked my dog outside the same evening. No light sensitivity

Just had park 8 days ago. -9 both eyes. I hate this recovery. I can see but I can’t. I’m healing slower than expected. Just waiting for that moment when I can see.

Getting PRK in two weeks. My prescription is negative 6 on both eyes. I’m getting nervous 😬 but praying for it to be smooth. Great video

Hi jen! I just wanna take time to commend you in this video. This video is so informative. I’m on 8th day post PRK Surgery And I’m so close to freaking out already. I feel like my eyes is slowly healing but still can’t see clearly. I really thank you for this video. You’re such a blessing.

I commented on this video before, but I ended up having the same surgery 1 week ago. It's so interesting compared to yours. I didn't have any pain those first few days. The most I had was a snotty nose due to my eyes watering. Lol my prescription was almost -9 in both eyes. Im nearsighted as well. As of right now things are a little blurry but I am seeing 20/30. I was cleared to drive by day 4 but didn't feel comfortable enough until day 6.

What’s your current status of eyes did you get eye glasses or not ?

Did the surgery help your farsighted and nearsighted

Thanks for sharing your experience, Jennifer! My prescription is -13.75 in both eyes. I'm okay with wearing contacts but as an online ESL teacher with early working hours, I find it a pain to remove them for naps all the time! I've been told that an implantable lens would be better for me than PRK and if I waited until I got cataracts, insurance would cover the cost of the surgery. I really don't mind wearing glasses but at my prescription it's getting harder and harder to make the lenses look good and not feel like Mr. Magoo. Plus glasses kind of disguise the fine lines around my eyes. I'm 44 now and I haven't worn contacts much since my first child was born 13 years ago, again because of the nap issue!

-8.00 in the right, -8.25 and astigmatism in the left (so closer to a -9.00). We need more people with higher prescription stories because they are few and far between. It would have been lovely to know that I actually should have taken at least 2 weeks off from work! But good to hear your story! Mine is still ongoing as of right now...

Do you experience any worsening of your vision and other aspects of vision (like halo, glares, starburst, contrast, night vision, light sensitivity) after LASIK compared to before with glasses? How long u avoid water after surgery?

I just had PRK done by choice over lasik. There is less chance of infection with PRK and it is good if you are physically active. I'm sorry to hear that you had so much pain, I have not have any pain yet and I can read without issue. I also have bed near sightedness though nowhere as badd as yours. I believe my vision was 3.75 and 4.25. Here's hoping I'm good enough to drive-in to work next Monday, it's an hour drive each way

What was your astigmatism prescription prior?

I only had ONE day of discomfort and constant crying. That was it. Day 4 and i still see blurry.

Today is the fourth day of my PRK surgery..i chose PRK from LASIK.. Though PRK is bit painful, its more effective. According to my experience, the first two days of surgery are worst..from third day, there will no pain..and vision is will be good enough..PRK takes 10 days to get 100% vision..i will update you after 10 days

Did you stay on top of the pain medicine to prevent pain during the healing

Just had PRK and these type of videos helped to watch prior

Holy crap the cost? USA? I had mine done in Canada for cataract surgery and PRK combined it was 4500 where did you have yours done? I had mine done in Toronto Bochner. 💖

Yikes that makes my eyes hurt just thinking about it. My rX for contacts is +3 for left, +3.25 for right

Its been a month to my surgery...nd its a bit blurry...how long did it took u to get ur vision cleared without any blurness...??

How are you doing now? Are you still sensitive to light?

Super helpful video! And just what I was looking for. My prescription is super high w/ crazy astigmatism. My prescription is: OD Sph: -3.50 Cyl: -6.00, OS Sph: -4.50 Cyl: -5.25. Curious to know how your prescription compares to mine.

Hi, How is your vision now? I did my prk 10 days ago and I don't see any improvement. I had high astigmatism. According to your experience, if it is normal? I really panicked. Many people say they see the improvement in the first 2 weeks. I appreciate it if you reply. Thanks

well, prk done thursday 10/24/19 drove next day to post OP no pain at all, neither at surgery Day 2 and 3 were the worst! Day 4 back to work can read just fine but hazy because of the contact. Hopefully wednesday get the contact out , then we'll see, literally :-) BTW did just 1 eye!!

Is it crazy to think I can go to a party on day 5 after PRK?

Hi Jennifer! I’m going through the same thing you went through with PRK and just wondering how you are cuz you haven’t posted anything since.

I paid $3000 with a lifetime warranty at Lasik Vision Institute. Make sure you price shop. You can do that with Lasik.

How is your eyes after

I don't think it's the prescription that's changing throughout the healing time. It's the top layer of the cornea that they had removed is affecting how you see. As it heals it isn't perfectly clear and retracts the light entering your eyes. That's y it's blurry or even see double.

First person I've heard of with a worse prescription than mine! I'm nearsighted as well with 6.50 in my right and 6.25 with my left. Just got PRK done the other day on Oct 7.

How did you clean your eyelashes without hurtling your eyes. I just got PRK done and from all the drops my eyelashes are getting some white residue. I clean them as the best as I can but scared to get anything in my eye. How did u do it ?

thank you so much for ur amazing video. it really means a lot for us who about to get it

Hey this video was amazing, thank you for the reassurance. I'm on day 9 and still have blurry vision and having a hard time reading small font/play FPS games, but seeing this video made me patient to just keep waiting. Also -7 with astigmatism.

yeah I realized a day late that sterile gauze pads and sterile saline solution really helps! I’m on day 3 currently. Lucky to be able to type and see. My prescription was -7.5 without the astigmatism. And -1.25 of astigmatism.

I just had PRK last week. The first couple of days after the surgery were the absolute worst! You basically can't function and you're in pain. Hoping my vision gets better soon. I had R: -6, L: -5

I am a one cataract eye surgical person ( DCR).But now it's tearest this eye .I ask a question to you mem if my another eye should going operation or what should another eye doing . but my one eye surgical operated another eye also distrube me which is not surgical now.reply mem to me please.

Hi I’m sorry so no driving for a month!?????

I had interocular lenses implanted when I was 20 because I was prescription -10, which was 14 years ago now in 2019. It's basically a contact lens implanted in your eye with an incision. I had to have each lens repositioned through another surgery (first within 6 months, second 2 years later) but I"ve been fine ever since! I started wearing glasses or contacts again about 10 years post-surgery but my eyes will still age normally. It's a far cry from where I was to have a prescription -1 and astigmatism help! Good luck to you!

-7.50 to the right And - 7.00to the left next week is my schedule for eye screening.

I don’t remember my prescription but this was some much needed information.

I am at -7 in my left eye and -6 in my right eye and did PRK this past Thursday and took off my contact lenses and now seeing at 2040 which is horrible but I can somewhat function how long does it take you until you’re fully healed in seeing 2020 or 2015??

Stupid question but when you went to Lasik plus did you have to pay the full amount out of pocket or did they offer payments?

Hi! Your video was so informative, thank you so much. I just had my consultation appt and I’m a candidate for PRK. As a mama, caretaker for my husband and a teacher, I’m wondering how soon were you able to get back into the swing of things? I have roughly 5-7 weeks before school starts... however that may look 🤷🏽‍♀️ and just wondering if now is a good time

Hey Jennifer! Thanks for this informative video. I'm also a VIPKid teacher and planning to get PRK at the end of this month. Could you advise as to when you recommend teaching online again? It sounds like you waited 5 weeks before looking at a screen for lengthy periods of time. I don't want to jump the gun and get back to teaching too soon and risk the healing process from too much screen time, but I'd also love to get back to teaching ASAP.

Thank you !! My surgery is May 27! My current prescription is -2.5! I get so quizy off thinking about it but overall excited !

-7.00 and -7.25 with horizontal astigmatism. I am 23 years old been wearing glasses since I was 8 years old.

My prk was 1400 dollars. I went to like 4 different places in my city to see where the cheapest place was.

Thanks so much for sharing this! Wow! The recovery sounds rough. Did you know before that you would basically be in the dark for 3 days. I'd love to get the surgery. No one has ever been this honest about their experience. Did they give you anything for anxiety? I can't touch my eyeball. Not sure how "tugging' would affect me. I might freak out. LOL

Im 5 days post prk, i dont think i qualified for lasik because it wasnt offered to me, and then learned that prk is much safer because there is no corneal flap created, the first 6 hours werent bad, i was even naive enough to try and go on my phone (wearing protective goggles) thinking its not so bad then that night the pain was horrible all the way to day 3 where things were much better, i was driving by day 3 because no one bothered to drive me around, and i didnt have a high prescription and was seeing good enough so i was being responsible, but im in this stage where im not comfortable in my vision yet, but its not bad enough that i need glasses, just blurred .. its annoying and i cant wait until it improves

Mine was -6 & I got ICL done 2 weeks ago, I could see better right away after the surgery, but have sm halos from time to time... Tell me if your recovery was so disturbing, there was a big chance of getting infection in (eg. conjunctivitis)... Was there any ?

Glad went well, wish you good in life

Thanks for sharing. Almost two weeks for me and still can’t see clearly. Frustrated and slightly scared as many you tubers said their vision was after a week or so....glad to know your experience. Reassuring

Had PRK 11 days ago and still blurry . Recovery time sucks bad

very informative video

Pls do an update. Considering prk - 8.5;9.25

I wore -7 contacts in both eyes and am approaching week 4 of PRK recovery. Honestly such a relief to hear your experience is similar to mine - I’m definitely not at 20/20 at this point but sounds like it’s pretty normal. I wish my expectations had been better aligned as I haven’t really been able to work yet other than join calls.

Maan I'm 5 days in and those 2 days in was the WORST, IT FELT like I was being peppered sprayed , but then the next day it was like a switch and the pain was gone, crazy experience so far

I had my surgery 9 July 2020. So this is 72HR post op. Both my eyes -1.50. So surgery day was terrible, the actual surgery wasn’t bad at all, I had a lot of lidocaine. I had so much light sensitivity and discomfort about 30min post op. 18hrs post op I couldn’t sleep at all, was in a lot of pain. Day 3 is amazing I’m almost perfect, day 5 is when I get my bandages out. But tbh I think it’s cause my prescription isn’t bad.

Me did tooo now 10 days but worried because still blurry for reading books which i should do in 2 weeks after summer vacation🙄🙄😐

-4.25 in the Right Eye and -4.00 in the Left eye....I feel blind with that prescription! I can't imagine a -9 or higher!! whoa!! I also plan to have Lasik or PRK...I have thin corneas but when I went for a consultation about 10 years ago I was still a candidate for Lasik. I'm considering PRK but maybe not if recovery could be almost a month or longer :-/

Could you please do an update on your vision as of now? Thank you