The bed of the cornea, called the stromal bed, is inert, meaning it has very little healing reaction. This razor thin edge achieves coverage within hours due to rapid sliding of the clear epithelium over this small surface area. Diabetics, or individuals with other healing disorders may have more problems following either PRK or Lasik. Your doctor can advise you on your risk and whether you are a candidate. Vision recovery is typically very rapid.
Some patients report noticeable improvement within minutes, most within a few hours.
An eye shield is worn during sleep hours the first few days. The duration of such protection will vary depending on your doctor's instructions. Significant complications are rare in the hands of experienced Lasik surgeons. Following special guidelines reduce this risk further. See Before and After Your Procedure.