PRK surgery

So..I finally decided to get my eyes lasered. Since my corneas were steep, I opted to do PRK over Lasik. I didn't particularly like the idea of my corneal flap tearing off..and needing a cornea transplant. That would be my luck.

Some background. I'm 38, and I wore contacts for 25 years. The last prescription were -6 in my right eye, -6.5 in my left. I haven't worn them in about 2 months in preparation for surgery. I am a professor, so I didn't have to work as we are on our Winter break.

So..here's a short description of my experiences..and recovery thus far:

Surgery Day. Monday.
Surgery at 9 am. Didn't actually happen until after 11. Everything went well. Severe light sensitivity after the surgery. My eyes just drained because of this, which I was assured was normal. Since the drive home was about 45 minutes, I moved into the back seat halfway there because the sensitivity was so great and the sun was so bright. I still couldn't escape the light, even with my eyes closed and dark sunglasses. My eyes drained. My sinuses swelled up. I got home around 1:30. Took the pain pills. I couldn't breathe, and I was miserable. After getting the OK from my doctor, I shot some AFRIN up my nose. After about 15 minutes I was able to breathe. Thus, I was able to finally get some sleep. Started Vigamox/Nevanac/Lotemax drops every 4 hours while awake.

My advice: bring a sleep mask with you to wear OVER the sunglasses. That would have helped me alot had I known.

Recovery Day 1: Tuesday
Follow up with the Optometrist Dr, not the surgeon. 20/40 in right eye - 20/30 in left Things look a bit blurry and hazy, can' t read or focus close up.
All of this looks great and I'm assured that it's normal. The light sensitivity is still pretty bad. This time, I brought my sleep mask and it has helped a lot!

Recovery Day 2: Wednesday.
I woke up feeling pretty good. Things looked a little clearer.

Dr. sees a "spot" on my left eye that wasn't there yesterday. Fear of possible infection. The "bandage" contact in that eye is removed. Then replaced with the wrong kind, then removed, then replaced with the right kind. Word from the surgeon was to leave it out, so it was removed again. At this point, the left eye was completely blurry and I couldn't see anything. Increased antibiotic drops of Vigamox every hour. Even during the night. ugh. Still using Nevanac/Lotemax drops every 4 hours while awake.


Couldn't really see much. Finished up some Christmas shopping with my neighbor who did all the driving.

Recovery Day 3: Thursday.
Pretty much status quo. Left eye hadn't changed, which was good news, and the cells began to grow over the "spot". Probably not an infection but continued Vigamox regimen every hour just in case. Ugh....sleep deprivation. Setting a 60 minute timer then drops in left eye..then trying to go back to sleep. Still using Nevanac/Lotemax drops every 4 hours while awake.

Still couldn't really see much in left eye. Right eye getting clearer.

Recovery Day 4: Friday.
Left eye looking better. Dr. put the "bandage" contact back in. I was able to see a bit again. Still couldn't read close up though. Finally could look at a computer without the sunglasses. Changed the Vigamox to every 2 hours in the left eye. Still using Nevanac/Lotemax drops every 4 hours while awake. Got a phone call a few hours after seeing the Dr. The surgeon said to remove the lens in the left eye again and leave it out.

Recovery Day 5: Saturday.
Dr says everything looks great! YAY. Removed the right bandage contact. The left is doing much better also. Switched to a stronger steroid drop. Continuing to use the Vigamox every 2 hours while awake..I can finally get sleep! Still using Nevanac and the steroid drop every 4 hours while awake. I can see the computer much better. I'm glad I didn' have to work this week.

Recovery Day 6: Sunday. Today.
No Dr visit today. Eyes seem a bit clearer all around. I got the all clear to drive tomorrow, but I did drive a bit today on a short route to go to church. No problems, wearing sunglasses. I will see the Dr. again tomorrow.