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My PRK Problems

Pilot Paul

Pro Rec SNA
Hey, my name is Greg Paul, I'm a prospective SNA guy applying to OCS. I work as a flight instructor at the Whidbey Island Navy Flying Club at NAS Whidbey Island. Last Thursday I had PRK surgery (last big step before Operation: Hurry up and wait for boards). It went well and I was staying with my folks for a few days so they could help out. I didn't have too much pain or problems the first two days. until....today.

I had the second worst pain that I have ever experienced today. The regenerative contact had somehow fallen out in the night. Without that my eyelid was brutalizing my raw cornea. We weren't sure what it was and because it was sunday, and I live 2 hours away from the doctor I had to wait the majority of the day to be seen. It felt like the contact lense was just offset or folded somewhere in my eye but we couldn't find it. The opthomologist even had to dye my eye to determine it really wasn't in there. Fortunately the dye was numbing and for the first time in the day i could stand to open and move my right eye. So they slipped a new lense in and sent me on my way. So far so good thanks to "comfort drops" frozen peas and Vicoden.

Just sharing my experience. I hope all you other hopeful future comrades who are getting this done have an easier time than I did. I would suggest you keep rewetting drops by your bed and douse your eyes before you even try to open them in the mornings. Otherwise the contacts are dry and pull on them when you open your lids. Because man....That hurt...but I guess it was a good experience seeing what it would be like to be blind for a day.

I can't wait for the initial recovery period to be over so I can drive and fly again. Take it easy, everybody and feel free to ask me any questions about my experience so far. Go Navy!...I can't believe everything we do just to be able to be qualified to apply. But I still feel it's well worth it.
 

Pilot Paul

Pro Rec SNA
Was this a civilian or military opthamologist? Other then that hope you heal well!

Civilian. I went to Dr. Leavitt at Bellvue Lasik and Conea.I wasn't sure if I would be allowed to use a military doctor because I'm civilian, well technically a DoD Contractor but I wanted to get this PRK done ASAP.

Thanks, Man.
 

Crazy*Carl

New Member
I am in a similar boat as you. I am a Flight Instructor in Houston. I did some instructing at Renton municipal. Nice area.

Good luck with your PRK. I am sure it will get better soon. We do have to go through a huge amount to get selected, but i bet its nothing compared to what we are going to have to go through to become winged aviators! I had LASIK done a few weeks ago and am just itching to get my waiver and off to OCS.
 

Pilot Paul

Pro Rec SNA
One week in and it still is REALLY painful.

I am only 20/40 in my left and 20/50 in my right. still not safe to drive or fly because of the irritation and ligh sensitivity. and night vision is pretty awful. just venting. I still think it's worth it. but this PRK process has been frustrating.
 

TheBirdy

Well-Known Member
pilot
One week in and it still is REALLY painful.

I am only 20/40 in my left and 20/50 in my right. still not safe to drive or fly because of the irritation and ligh sensitivity. and night vision is pretty awful. just venting. I still think it's worth it. but this PRK process has been frustrating.

Don't get discouraged. I had PRK done in December 2010 and after 2 weeks and getting the protective lens removed my left eye couldn't even read the big E on the chart. After 2 more weeks my eyes got to 20/40 (they were about 20/100 before). You'll have a marked improvement in the following weeks. I'm getting impatient because I just hit the 2 month post op mark and my eyes are around 20/30..20/25.
 

StormJordan

New Member
what was your pre-op refraction? right now my eyes are around -4.25 and i was told not to expect miracles with eye surgery. Hopefully i can be corrected to 20/20 when i get prk.
 

MattWSU

Well-Known Member
pilot
Contributor
I went to Dr. Leavitt as well and had PRK done on my right eye. My preop vision was 20/40 and I was pain free by about day 5.
 
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