Has anyone HAD or known anyone who has had PRK surgery?

sarahradio5 Posted: May 30, 2006 11:47 AM

Has anyone HAD or known anyone who has had PRK surgery?

I am probably having it at the Stahl Eye Center soon...

just trying to get some info. on it...

pain?
recovery time?
success?
current vision?
complications?
Doctor/facility used?
cost?

Thanks!

LaurenF Posted: May 30, 2006 11:58 AM

Re: Has anyone HAD or known anyone who has had PRK surgery?

what does PRK stand for? i had lasik surgery done at stahl and i thought they were great. my doctor was dr. hufnagel.

sarahradio5 Posted: May 30, 2006 12:02 PM

Re: Has anyone HAD or known anyone who has had PRK surgery?

Posted by LaurenF

what does PRK stand for? i had lasik surgery done at stahl and i thought they were great. my doctor was dr. hufnagel.

mine would be Dr. Chang. I'm apparently not a good candidate for LASIK. I keep forgetting what it stands for, but basically, they don't create a flap, so it's safer than LASIK. I have irregularly shaped corneas, so the risk of the flap healing improperly is too large for me to do LASIK. They highly recommend PRK, but it's a more PAINFUL surgery, and I would have to be out of work for about a week. I'm scared! But I really don't want to wear contacts anymore. And in order to avoid clashing with any major wedding related plans, I would HAVE to have it done in June (my original plans were July). So... just checking. I was VERY impressed with STAHL eye center... and with Dr. Chang. And their prices were the best, too! Just fishing for more info. Thanks for your info!

lanabean Posted: May 30, 2006 12:04 PM

Re: Has anyone HAD or known anyone who has had PRK surgery?

I am in the same boat as you. I was not a candidate and went to Stahl...recently my doc recommended PRK but I know nothing about it...I would be interested. Stahl is very good and I appreciated their honesty with me.

Sammis78 Posted: Jun 02, 2006 06:54 PM

Re: Has anyone HAD or known anyone who has had PRK surgery?

I had PRK in december, and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND getting it done. i have thin corneas, so PRK was my only option. It dod not hurt at all during the procedure and it only took a few minutes. the first day was not that bad either. the second day i was definitly uncomfortable, but it wasn't so bad. just be prepared to 'listen' to alot of movies or music. the recovery time is about a week, and you can't see clearly at all for that week (so you definitly can't drive and can't really work either). but it was so worth it. afte the week you can see so so so well. you have to take a bunch of drops pretty regularly for the first month or so, and then you're home free. I went from 20/400 to 20/20.

do it! and good luck!

mrswask Posted: Jun 02, 2006 07:16 PM

Re: Has anyone HAD or known anyone who has had PRK surgery?

My husband had PRK at Stahl in December. He was very pleased with the service and the results. He had Dr Hufnagel and was happy with him. He also had Dr Chang on one of his follow-up visits and we liked him very much.

kmkelly Posted: Jun 02, 2006 09:17 PM

Re: Has anyone HAD or known anyone who has had PRK surgery?

FH had lasik done at Stahl. They were very professional, clear on what the procedure was, and I watched thru a monitor outside the room. Stahl is a great place.

FH did experience 'rainbows' for about six months, which not everyone does, and he had some initial pain which went away after a day. All in all, we both consider it the best thing he ever did.

ETA: His Dr. was Werner, but he saw Hufnagel and Chang for follow up visits. All very professional.

sarahradio5 Posted: Jun 02, 2006 09:20 PM

Re: Has anyone HAD or known anyone who has had PRK surgery?

Thanks for all your input!!!

I have my appointment for June 15th! I can't believe it! I'm excited for it, but I'm glad it's soon so I have less time to OVERthink and worry about it!

I'm sure I will be asking for all your prayers as the day gets closer... less than 2 weeks away! (looking forward to the days off from work!)

jandt2006 Posted: Jun 02, 2006 11:09 PM

Re: Has anyone HAD or known anyone who has had PRK surgery?

i had prk sugery also but at TLC in garden city with dr. donnenfeld almost a year ago. i am going for enhancement sugery on one eye again in about a month because i still have bad night vision with the lights.
the only annoying thing for me was the lenses that you have to wear on your eyes on night otherwise it was an awesome experience and so happy i did it. i was previously wearing glasses for over 15 years beforehand. Contacts weren't a good fit for me either.