I had Wavefront PRK today, at 8am. They had me come in at 715 so that I could get the WaveScan before the procedure. They gave me a Valium to mellow me out, and then did the WaveScan for the custom PRK.
The WaveScan was a little machine that had a small red light in the shape of two lines pointing toward each other like the Infiniti car logo. They did that for both eyes, then gave me an Ativan to help take the edge off more. Then I went directly into the procedure room.
They had me sit down in a chair that reclined all the way and then swiveled under the laser. The doctor put in two different sets of numbing drops, then put a sticker over my eyelashes so they would not get in the way. Then they taped my left eye closed, and put the spreader in my right eye to hold the eyelid open. Next, they continued to put in these drops, that felt very cold, until I was to tell them that i felt "an ice cream headache". Once that was achieved, they used something that looked and sounded like an electric toothbrush to rub off the epithelium. They tell you to look at this little red-yellow light that is blinking, but its not easy when they are covering your eye with that rubbing instrument. I didn't feel any pain at all and would describe the sensation equal to closing your eyelid and placing your finger on the eye. You notice there is something there, but can't really feel it. Then they used small sponges to clean the pupil area. Then the fun came. The laser was used for 18 seconds. The entire time the nurse just kept repeating keep looking at the light, and you are doing fine. Also, I never smelled any burning at all, like some people do when the laser is going off. Then they rinsed the eye with saline, and applied the bandage contact, and repeated everything on the other eye.
After both were done, they slid the chair back and up and the doctor took a look to make sure everything went correctly, which it did, and we walked out to the waiting area. They gave me two different sets of drops both were anti-inflammatory, along with a set of artificial tears if I needed them. I was also given a prescription for Vicodin. The eye drops were to be put in 4 times a day unless I was asleep which then it is ok to miss a dose. Immediately after, I had a hard time actually having my eye open, but after I had a nap, it became easier to see for longer periods of time.
I would say that as of right now, I can see better than I could without my glasses, but not as good as with them on. I do have mild light sensitivity and have been wearing the old-man sunglasses nonstop. In addition, I have a doctor appointment tomorrow morning to check how healing is progressing. I will keep this post up as the days go on.