Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) is a laser eye procedure designed to correct refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Unlike flap-based surgeries, PRK corrects vision by gently reshaping the cornea’s outer layer after the surface epithelial cells are removed. Because the eye’s surface must fully regenerate following the treatment, the recovery timeline is a gradual, multi-stage process that extends over several months. Different phases mark the return to daily function and the eventual final visual clarity.
The Acute Recovery Phase Days 1–5
The initial days following PRK focus on the complete healing of the cornea’s surface layer, which typically takes three to five days to fully regrow. A protective bandage contact lens (BCCL) is placed immediately after the procedure to shield the treated area and facilitate the smooth regeneration of the epithelium. This lens helps decrease friction from blinking and protects the delicate, newly forming cells until the surface is fully intact. During this time, the BCCL is not to be removed by the patient and functions as a temporary scaffold for healing.
Symptoms during this acute phase are most pronounced on the second and third days, often described as a foreign body sensation, burning, or intense tearing. Patients also experience significant light sensitivity and very blurry vision as the corneal surface heals. A regimented schedule of prescribed drops is necessary to manage these symptoms and prevent complications. This regimen includes antibiotic drops to guard against infection and anti-inflammatory drops to control pain and reduce the body’s healing response.
Because the eye is actively resurfacing, visual demands must be kept to an absolute minimum. Patients are generally advised to rest and avoid activities like reading, screen time, and driving until the BCCL is removed by the surgeon. The BCCL removal marks the end of this most uncomfortable period, occurring at a follow-up appointment once the new epithelial layer is deemed stable. Although the intense discomfort subsides after this milestone, the vision remains functional but far from clear.
Resuming Daily Activities Weeks 1–4
The period between one and four weeks marks the transition to achieving functional vision, allowing most patients to safely resume their daily routines. For those with non-strenuous, desk-based occupations, a return to work is often possible within five to seven days after the procedure. This return depends on the ability to comfortably focus on screens and manage the fluctuating visual clarity common during this phase.
Driving is another important milestone, and patients are typically cleared to resume this activity once their vision meets the legal visual acuity standards in their jurisdiction. This often occurs around the end of the first week or beginning of the second, after the protective contact lens has been removed and the vision has stabilized enough to be safe. However, common visual phenomena like mild haze, glare, and starbursts around lights, particularly at night, can persist.
A range of specific restrictions remain throughout the first month to protect the still-healing cornea from trauma or infection. Patients must adhere to several guidelines:
- Avoid environments with significant dust, dirt, or debris.
- Refrain from all swimming, hot tubs, and saunas for at least two weeks, and often up to a month.
- Avoid strenuous exercise and activities that involve heavy lifting for the first week to prevent pressure changes that could disrupt healing.
- Restrict the use of eye makeup or face lotions around the eyes, typically for a period of two weeks, to minimize the risk of introducing foreign particles.
Vision Stabilization and Final Outcome Months 1–6
While functional vision is achieved relatively early, the final visual outcome results from a gradual corneal remodeling process that extends over several months. The vision continues to refine itself as the deepest layers of the cornea adjust to their new shape. Achieving the final, sharpest result—optimal vision—takes a significant amount of time.
Achieving the final, stable prescription typically occurs between three and six months after the surgery, though individual healing rates vary. Regular follow-up appointments are scheduled during this extended phase to monitor the corneal surface and adjust the long-term medication regimen. A sustained course of steroid drops is a required component, often tapered over three to four months. These drops modulate the inflammatory response within the cornea, significantly reducing the risk of developing corneal haze—a clouding that can impair vision. This careful approach ensures the cornea heals to its clearest state and minimizes the chance of myopic regression.