Why It Is Important to Avoid Sun Exposure After PRK Surgery
PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy, surgery is a form of refractive surgical procedure. It uses a laser to treat vision abnormalities caused by refractive errors. You can have it in one or both eyes, depending on your specific vision problem. During the procedure, the eye doctor will use a special instrument to keep your eyes open. This will allow him or her to pull to one side or remove the cells on the surface of your eyes.
The doctor will then use a laser to remove tissue from your eyes and reshape your corneas. As a bandage, the doctor will place contact lenses on your eyes. Following the procedure, your eyes will itch, burn, or hurt for about three or four days. You may also experience watery eyes, blurry vision, or a runny nose for a few days. Two to four days after the surgery, the doctor will remove the contact lenses. However, it might take a few weeks for you to start seeing clearly.
PRK surgery improves the way the cornea focuses rays of light on the retina. It is an effective treatment option for conditions such as astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness. The goals of PRK are to improve your vision and reduce the need for contact lenses and eyeglasses.
Risks of PRK Surgery
Complications during PRK surgery are quite rare, which is why it is one of the most popular forms of laser eye surgery. Like any other form of surgical procedure, however, it carries some risks you should consider. Some of these include corneal infection, corneal haze, corneal scarring, and halos or glare around lights.
Importance of Avoiding Sun Exposure After PRK Surgery
PRK surgery is one of the most effective options when it comes to the treatment of reflective errors. While PRK is quite popular and effective, it does have some side effects. If you are considering undergoing this procedure, you should understand these side effects. This will help you have realistic expectations about the procedure and recovery process. One of the most common side effects of PRK surgery is light sensitivity.
Following PRK surgery, you will notice that you are especially sensitive to bright light, especially direct sunlight. You may also be sensitive to lightbulbs both outdoors and indoors. This, however, is a natural part of the healing process.
When you undergo PRK surgery, your eyes will need to adjust to the new shape or contour of your cornea. During the period of recovery and visual adjustment, you will notice some changes in your contrast and light sensitivity. In addition, you may notice some problems with starbursts, halos, glare, and various other light perception issues.
Generally, light sensitivity problems after having PRK surgery can last for a few weeks. With each day, however, the sensitivity will decrease. In the first few days after having PRK surgery, you should avoid direct sunlight at all costs. This will help with your healing process and reduce your discomfort. If you have to go outside, wear sunglasses along with a hat with a brim to protect your eyes from sun exposure.
To learn more about PRK surgery and the best way to protect your eyes after the procedure, contact Laser Vision Delaware at 302-656-2020. We combine unparalleled experience in laser eye surgery with the latest technology to provide the safest and most effective vision correction options. Feel free to visit our offices in Wilmington, Delaware.
