Posted on Feb 8, 2021
SGT Team Leader
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CPT Staff Officer
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Because of my lens thickness I had LASIK on my right, and PRK on my left. That was 10+ years ago.

Now, my LASIK eye is far sighted, and I need glasses to type this response. My PRK eye is fine near and far. Maybe it's a function of age, but in retrospect I would do both PRK.

Yes, recovery is LONGER with PRK, but I think in the end you will be better off for it.

I am not a doctor, this is only my personal experience.
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SGT Eye Sergeant
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Sir, you are correct. As you age corneal refractive surgery will render itself useless. Also as you could imagine the technology and formulas to find the correct treatment have advanced. Your next step, not saying that you need it, would be cataract surgery. That would get you out of glasses for distance vision, which we use about 90% of the time but you will need reading glasses because we take away your natural ability to accommodate.
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CPT Staff Officer
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SGT (Join to see) - It's only reading glasses I need now. Distance is fine.
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SGT Eye Sergeant
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I assist with PRK. MOST ppl have no problem with recovery assuming that they take their drops as directed and get plenty of rest. I've only seen one infection but the soldier admitted to not taking their drops. We give pain meds because you will have some pain with PRK especially around day three so it is important to try and stay ahead of the pain.
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SGT Team Leader
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Thanks everyone. It’s now 5 days since my surgery, Including surgery date. Like some have mentioned, my eyelids feel like mild sandpaper. The actual pain and swelling has mostly went. I glad I got it done.
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MAJ Audiology
MAJ (Join to see)
5 y
Glad it went well! I have bad astigmatism (had to have a waiver to commission) and I plan on getting this done if ever on mobilization for a year.
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Has anyone had PRK eye surgery done by a military hospital? What was your recovery like?
MAJ Byron Oyler
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Recovery for PRK sucks but PRK does not permanently weaken your eyes and at ten years, I am still 20/20 or better. Mine was done at TAMC. You need to get a good brief of the risks v benefits of both procedures and if they do not provide that, insist that they do.
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SGM Legislative Liaison
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The surgery feels pretty weird, but not painful. Afterwards my eyelids felt like they were made of sandpaper for about a week. I got halos around any light source when dark that lasted probably three months, but eventually went away.

It was totally worth it. Best thing I ever got from the military!
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CSM Chuck Stafford
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Had PRK in both eyes @ Tripler in Hawaii -- used the eyedrops through an uncomfortable "dry eye" weekend. Well worth it -- Good Luck
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SSgt Christophe Murphy
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I had PRK in December 2002. The recovery wasn't super pleasant. Recovery for LASIK is way easier from what I have observed
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