Laser Index
PRK: a first hand account by Dr. Steve Briggs
Steve's PRK date was Feb. 10th, 1997. Please feel free to email Steve if you would like further information.
For about 8 years now, I have been following the advance of laser surgery in it's progress from a relatively experimental technique to a tried, true and reliable procedure. I have personally followed up about 20 PRK, 6 LASIK, and 3 RK patients, and decided to have my own eyes done on Feb. 10, 1997 at TLC™ in Toronto.
Like most moderate myopes, I have been in need of correction since about age 10 or so, and foggy, smeary, heavy glasses have been a part of my life for the last 20 odd years. Contact lenses are another option, and just about everyone can be fit with contacts now, but they do require at least some care. See the Photo Gallery, to show the successive healing of the cornea after reshaping by the excimer laser.
Recovery Diary
Pre-op data: (Feb. 10th, 1997); IOP 15 OU; LSO paresis
R: -2.75/-1.25 x 032 3 base up
L: -2.75/-.25 x 142 3 base down
Refractive target was +.25 ds OU
Corneal Topography - ave. K: R 41.13 L 40.90 (pre-op)
Visual Acuities Following PRK
| # of Days Post-op |
Visual Acuity (20/...) |
IOP (mmHg) |
Refaction (DS) |
Comments |
| 1 Feb. 11 |
R: 100 L 70 |
R ? L ? |
R? L? |
Extremely blurry, moderate discomfort, not bad enough for pain pills |
| 2 |
R: 50 L 40- |
R ? L ? |
R: +.75 L PL |
Increased discomfort, worse after drops. Developed focal CL deposit related irritation at 66 hrs., vision noticeably better but fluctuates a lot, very photophobic, noticeable diplopia, Demerol required for pain, epith 75% healed (L>R). |
| 3 |
R: 60- L: 40 |
R ? L? |
R? L? |
NO discomfort upon awakening, vision blurry but less double, drops don't hurt, less photophobic, left epith almost completely closed. |
| 4 |
R 50- L 40- |
R ? L ? |
R -.75 L PL |
K's: R: 39.62/-.50 x 090 L: 39.62/-.12 x 090 mires distorted R>L; bandage CL's removed, still slight epith defect centrally, comfort fine, no photophobia; able to drive cautiously today. |
| 5 |
R 30+ L 30- |
R 14 L 13 |
R -1.25 L -.25 |
Vision best so far today, even with apparent myopic Rx. Still fluctuates almost hourly; developed superior SPK in right eye. |
| 7 1 week |
R 30 L 20- |
R 15 L 12 |
R PL L PL |
Comfort fine, R eye looks like severe dry eye - used Cellufresh a lot. Able to spend 7 hours on computer before diplopia set in. Used Plano prism Rx at home for 2 hours until bed. |
| 8 |
R 25- L 25- |
|
R +.25 L +.50 |
Seeing patients today. Have to concentrate on BIO and 90D. Otherwise quite functional. Noticed slight night glare driving last night. |
| 9 |
R 25- L 25- |
R 12 L 12 |
R PL L +.25 |
Vision sort of blurry all day. |
| 10 |
R 25- L 25 |
R 12 L 13 |
R PL L +.25 |
Having some diplopia on right gaze. |
| 11 |
R 25 L 25- |
R 12 L 12 |
R +.50 L PL |
Subjectively, the crispness of vision seems better today. Refraction is hard to determine accurately - it doesn't seem like "normal" blur, but more like monocular diplopia. Had to use prisms two hours last night before retiring. R vision seems perfect outside at lunch in bright sunlight, although chart says 20/25 still. |
| 12 |
R 25 L 25 |
R 13 L 12 |
R +.25 L PL |
Diplopia at night quite apparent after a couple of drinks at staff party. Prisms required. |
| 15 |
R 20- L 20+ |
R 12 L 12 |
R PL L PL |
First day of 20/20 at about 2 weeks post-op. Vision quite good overall. |
| 19 |
R 20+ L 15 |
R 13 L 14 |
R PL L -.25 |
Fluctuation still noticeable, but much less. Only use the prisms occasionally at night. I have to be careful not to hit my eyes, now that I don't have that extra protection. |
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