Is the surgery painful?

No, the surgery is not painful.  Drops are used to numb the cornea prior to surgery.  No needles or knives are used in the procedure.  There is some post-operative discomfort which gradually diminishes in the 24-48 hours.  Pain medication is prescribed at the time of the procedure to lessen this effect.  Some patients report a scratchy sensation.  A bandage contact lens or patch is placed on the eye until the surface heals.  This takes two to three days or five days for farsighted patients.

How long does it take for vision to improve?

The cornea takes a variable amount of time to heal depending on each patient and the particular prescription of the eye being treated.  Some improvement in vision is noticeable immediately following surgery.  However, a very high nearsighted/farsighted patient heals slower than a low nearsighted/farsighted patients.  Usually, vision improves once the bandage contact lens or patch is removed.  Patients may experience intermittent blurry vision and high myopic/hyperopic patients may take about six months to stabilize.  However, the average patient has stable vision in one to three months.

*What can affect visual recovery?

Visual recovery can be slow if patients have dry eyes, especially if they are not treated.

Will I feel visually unbalanced after the first eye is done?

Some patients do sense some imbalance, although this is more prominent with high myopia/hyperopia.  If you are not planning to have your second eye done for some time, then you may return to contact lenses.  Please remember, however,  that contact lenses must be removed for 2-3 weeks prior to surgery.   We recommend that you wear your glasses until the surgical eye sees better than your non-surgical eye with glasses, then discontinue wearing your glasses. There are very few patients who are not able to work or conduct their business after the bandage contact lens or patch is removed.

How many visits will I require after surgery?

Patients are followed according to FDA recommendations, which means you will be seen several days in the first week.  Visits are also scheduled at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years.  More frequent visits are scheduled if Dr. Norton finds that they are necessary.  Usually these are warranted in the early post operative period.

When can I return to work?

Depending upon the kind of work you do, most people can return within 2-3 days.  It is wisest to count on three days time off from work.  You should avoid swimming and gardening to avoid the risk of infection until Dr. Norton says it's okay.  Dry eye patients must be careful of dry environments created by air conditioners, fans, heaters,  and wind.  Dry eye patients should increase use of artificial tears when in dry environments.

When can I have surgery done on my other eye?

The second eye is scheduled when the vision with the first eye is at least 20/40.  This occurs within 1-2 weeks depending on how quickly you heal, unless otherwise directed by Dr. Norton.

Will my vision remain stable after surgery?

Our results thus far indicate that most people achieve stable vision in six to twelve months.  Many patients, however, are stable much sooner than that.  The length of time it takes patients to stabilize depends on a patient’s age and degree of myopia/hyperopia or refractive error. 

Will I still need reading glasses when I am older?

Most people become bothered by their loss of reading vision as earlier as 40 years of age.  Patients who have had Excimer laser surgery will be “normally-sighted” and will require readers sometime in their forties.  Monovision is also available for those patients who have tried and liked this with their contact lenses. 

Is sunlight harmful after PRK?

There is a very minimal amount of data to support the fact that excessive exposure to sun after PRK may reverse its effect.  It is therefore advised that excessive sun after surgery be avoided.  Sunglasses are recommended during periods of high sun exposure both in the summer or winter months.

Is there any problem of glare or haze after PRK?

Healing haze is far less a problem than when excimer laser surgery was originally introduced.  The use of topical steroids to control corneal wound healing is often an important part of the treatment post-operatively. Healing haze is seen in a very small number of patients. The majority of patients are unaware of any haze and 99% of the patients have no haze at the end of the first year.

Have there been any problems with night driving or is night vision diminished?

Radial keratotomy patients have more problems with night driving than PRK patients.  RK patients often complain about starbursts from car headlights.  This effect is the result of the radial cuts which are made to flatten the cornea.  PRK patients have not complained about significant night glare except for those few who have experienced short-term healing haze.

What I should do before surgery?

All patients need to remove their soft contact lenses at least two weeks prior to surgery, and prior to an evaluation.  Removal of contact lenses prior to the evaluation and surgery ensures the accuracy of the procedure.  Patients who wear hard contact lenses need to discontinue their lenses for at least 3 weeks.  Longer periods may be necessary depending on the amount of distortion the lenses cause to the corneas. Make sure to eat a meal before surgery as the pain medication will absorb better and cause less nausea.  You should make arrangements for someone to drive you home from the Center on the day of your surgery.  No make-up should be worn on the day of surgery, or while the bandage contact lens or patch is still in place.  Dr. Norton also recommends that patients avoid eye make-up when using topical steroids as well.

How much does the procedure cost?

The procedure costs $2,000-2,500 per eye, depending on your prescription. This fee covers the surgery and 3 months of post-operative care.  Most health insurance companies do not cover PRK, since it is elective, not medically necessary.  We accept cash, money order, VISA, Master Card, Discover or American Express on the day of surgery.  Payment by personal check, however, must be received no later than one week prior to the scheduled surgery date.  Pre-authorized therapeutic cases will be submitted to insurance, however, a deposit may be requested prior to the procedure. Phototherapeutic Keratectomy (PTK) includes treatment for scars, dystrophies or other superficial corneal diseases. 

There is a small chance that a second surgery will be necessary to obtain the desired results.  Second surgeries are medically determined by Dr. Norton and are performed at no charge within 2 years of the original treatment.  The first week of post-operative care is included.  Additional visits are subject to a fee.  Please note, any and all fees are subject to change without notice.

How do I make an appointment?  Is there a charge for the evaluation?

To make an appointment for an evaluation call the Jerva Eye Laser Center at (315) 474-4075.  Serious candidates contemplating the procedure can be provided with names and numbers of previous patients willing to discuss the procedure. 

The evaluation, as per FDA recommendations, requires several specialized tests.  The initial evaluation costs $80.00 and there is no obligation to have surgery.  The evaluation is good for 3 months or the fee will be recharged.  In addition, we charge $80 to repeat testing on the second eye prior to the second surgery.

Treatment for other conditions and/or problems, even during the post-operative period, is not included in the cost of PRK.

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