It was a "fun" 3 weeks of healing ( versus 1-2 days for lasik ), but PRK based procedures have substantially less of these side effects.
edited: to note that i had lasek done.
[1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photorefractive_keratectomy
The halos and "starbursts" around lights have faded somewhat, but are still present, after over a year. I was assured throughout and after the process that they would fade away completely. There's definitely a bit of misinformation around that; not sure if the doctors were deliberately misleading me, or if they were also misled by previous studies that showed a much lower incidence of side-effects.
Fortunately the dryness did fade after a month or so, and I don't need to carry around eye drops like so many others do.
Overall, though, I'm happy with the result and still glad I did it.
We decided that PRK was the best option, as it presented the fewest potential side effects. It also helped that she was able to take the time off work for the recovery. Many years on, we still maintain that it was the best money we've spent. Her life without glasses and contacts is so much better, and she doesn't have any long-term side effects to worry about.
I really do recommend PRK strongly to anybody who is considering LASIK.
Artificial tear eye drops help a lot, but sometimes I have to use them twice per day.
All that said, it was worth it and I wouldn't go back. Being able to see without glasses/contacts is a huge improvement on quality of life.
+1 for PRK over Lasik
EDIT: did you get PRK or Lasek?
Local Dr in NYC is a huge proponent of it, and well, went for it. ( he's unfortunately known for his "odd personality traits", but as a doctor, he's top notch... )
re: recovery, I think 3 weeks was the time I felt OK enough, and better than i ever did with contacts/glasses. It definitely was a months long recovery.
The rest of the days were just blurry vision and general "pain". If you've ever wore contacts for too long, it's the burning sensation you get after you take them off, multiplied.
After those were mostly gone, then I was pretty sensitive to light, and for the later weeks, I had the problem of my vision being way too sharp, so I had trouble focusing.
But I would do it again in a heartbeat!
But... I used lubricant eye drops religiously during that month. I went through several bottles, putting drops in my eyes several times an hour. I also took omega 3 supplements, which help tears remain intact over the epithelium longer. I read some studies that suggest omega 3s shorten the reepitheialization period significantly.
So, if you're prepared to do some work and take slavish care of your eyes for an extended healing period, I believe you can have great results from PRK. Absolutely no regrets.
A few very minor vision artifacts, but by far the most annoying side effect has been dry eyes. I don't know how PRK caused this, but it started right afterwards. If I don't drink a lot of water before bed, I will wake up with dry and highly irritated eyes.
Even so, I still consider it worth it. I lost/broke my glasses frequently, and contacts are not very versatile.