Preparing for the Big Day: PRK Surgery Day
Performing PRK procedures is a routine activity at The Wright Eye Center. However, we fully understand that this is an entirely new experience for our patients – and many of them are nervous! When you arrive for your appointment, our team will be ready to welcome you and provide a calming environment in which to relax. In fact, you really don’t have to do anything but relax the day of your PRK procedure.
“I felt safe and welcomed the minute I walked through the door. I knew it would be a good experience. It was.”
Patient Testimonial
Our team will make you comfortable in our laser suite. Your eyes will be numbed with eye drops so you won’t feel the procedure – but you will remain awake throughout the process. The actual steps of PRK are amazingly quick. Most patients are only in our laser suite for less than 20 minutes! (However, please plan to be in our office for about 2 hours total.)
How PRK is Performed
First, a suction ring is used to keep the eye perfectly still. Our doctors remove a thin surface layer called the epithelium, on the cornea. With the underlying corneal tissue exposed, they use an excimer laser which vaporizes microscopic amounts of tissue to sculpt a new corneal contour. If you’re worried about moving your eyes or your head during this process, you can rest assured knowing that the laser will stop until your eye has returned to the correct position.
You should arrange for a friend to drive you to and from your appointment. After your procedure, we recommend you go home and rest for the remainder of the day. Your eyes will need approximately 4 days to heal and regenerate the epithelial cells to their full 5-cell-layer thickness. Our doctors will prescribe pain medications to control any discomfort that may last a few days. It can take about a month to achieve your full vision results.
Our team performs PRK procedures to help reduce or eliminate dependence on glasses or contacts. Contact us today to schedule a no-obligation, free PRK Consultation in Colorado Springs to learn more about your unique eye health!
