Re:Ask HN: PRK worth it and recovery time?
by silisili on Friday December 30, 2022 @01:53PM
(#34188479)
I did PRK about 10 years ago.
Recovery was interesting. They tell you vision is gonna be rough for a few days, but right after surgery vision is perfect and you think you got lucky. Nope.
I basically laid in bed for about 24 to 36 hours straight, lights off, curtains closed. I remember waking, looking at the ceiling fan and how blurry it was, then falling back asleep.
By day 2 I think it was I ventured out to watch TV and even at the lowest brightness it was blinding. I had to wear sunglasses.
I started work day 4 or 5 and had to increase the size of everything. I specifically remember that - and = looked identical, which makes code very interesting to read.
I guess by day 7 to 10 my vision was perfect, or at least, better than it was before. Any improvement past that would have been incremental. Sorry I don't have more concrete dates, I actually kept a detailed journal but lost it along the way.
I feel like my night vision took a small hit, but that could just be age. My eyes are light sensitive, but they always have been. But we're talking like, full Florida sun on white pavement. Looking at a screen doesn't make my eyes feel blinded.
Lemme know if you have any questions I can help with.
Side note: My wife got LASIK a few years back. Her recovery time was way less, and could see much better with a day or two. Her only problem was dry eyes that seemed to last a few months, but that went away too.
If I had to do it again, I'm not sure what I'd pick. After seeing how quick and painless LASIK is, I may go that route. I'm of the opinion that any force strong enough to 'rip open your flap' is going to cause eye injury one way or another.
Recovery was interesting. They tell you vision is gonna be rough for a few days, but right after surgery vision is perfect and you think you got lucky. Nope.
I basically laid in bed for about 24 to 36 hours straight, lights off, curtains closed. I remember waking, looking at the ceiling fan and how blurry it was, then falling back asleep.
By day 2 I think it was I ventured out to watch TV and even at the lowest brightness it was blinding. I had to wear sunglasses.
I started work day 4 or 5 and had to increase the size of everything. I specifically remember that - and = looked identical, which makes code very interesting to read.
I guess by day 7 to 10 my vision was perfect, or at least, better than it was before. Any improvement past that would have been incremental. Sorry I don't have more concrete dates, I actually kept a detailed journal but lost it along the way.
I feel like my night vision took a small hit, but that could just be age. My eyes are light sensitive, but they always have been. But we're talking like, full Florida sun on white pavement. Looking at a screen doesn't make my eyes feel blinded.
Lemme know if you have any questions I can help with.
Side note: My wife got LASIK a few years back. Her recovery time was way less, and could see much better with a day or two. Her only problem was dry eyes that seemed to last a few months, but that went away too.
If I had to do it again, I'm not sure what I'd pick. After seeing how quick and painless LASIK is, I may go that route. I'm of the opinion that any force strong enough to 'rip open your flap' is going to cause eye injury one way or another.