When can I be in sunlight after PRK?

General information about typical recovery, not medical advice. Every eye and every surgery is different, and your surgeon's instructions override anything on this page. Read our full disclaimer.

Short answer

You can go outside right away, but wear UV blocking sunglasses, often for around 6 months, because UV exposure raises the risk of corneal haze.

This is the one activity where PRK has a clear, strongly stated published rule. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says that after PRK you will need to wear sunglasses outside for as long as your doctor tells you, because sun exposure can lead to corneal scarring after surgery.

The concern is corneal haze, a cloudiness in the healing tissue that can dim vision. StatPearls says haze typically peaks at 1 to 2 months after laser refractive surgery and clears over 6 to 12 months, and advises UV protective sunglasses for 6 months after surgery, especially at high altitudes, to help prevent the correction from regressing. The American Academy of Ophthalmology's surface ablation guidance lists UV protection alongside mitomycin C and steroid drops as haze prevention measures, and advises UV protecting eyewear during the year following treatment.

Practically, that means wraparound or large UV blocking sunglasses whenever you are outdoors in daylight, including on cloudy days, at the beach, on the water, and especially skiing or at altitude. Light sensitivity in the first days also makes sunglasses a comfort item, not just a protective one.

When	Typical guidance
Days 1-7	Sunglasses outdoors and often indoors, since light sensitivity is high.
First 6 months	StatPearls advises UV protective sunglasses outdoors, especially at high altitude.
First year	AAO surface ablation guidance advises UV protecting eyewear during the year after treatment.
Snow, water, and altitude	Highest UV exposure. Wraparound UV sunglasses are worth the extra care.

Call your surgeon now if you notice any of these

Severe or worsening eye pain after day 3 or 4, when pain should be easing rather than increasing
Pain that is not helped by your prescribed medicine or by over the counter medicine
Thick yellow, green, or crusting discharge from the eye
Vision that suddenly gets worse after it had been improving
A new white or cloudy spot visible on the cornea
The bandage contact lens falls out, folds, or moves off center before your surgeon removes it
A sudden sharp pain on waking or on opening the eye, which can signal a recurrent corneal erosion
Increasing redness, swelling of the lids, or increasing light sensitivity after the first few days
Any new flashes of light, a shower of floaters, or a curtain or shadow across your vision

These warning signs after PRK can point to problems that need same-day care. Do not wait for your next scheduled visit. If you cannot reach your surgeon's office, use their on-call line, or go to an emergency room.

Sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology; StatPearls Publishing, NCBI Bookshelf; EyeWiki, American Academy of Ophthalmology; Journal of Current Ophthalmology

Sources

What Is Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)? American Academy of Ophthalmology. Accessed 2026-08-25.
Photorefractive Keratectomy (StatPearls) StatPearls Publishing, NCBI Bookshelf. Accessed 2026-08-25.
Surface Ablation: Photorefractive Keratectomy, LASEK, Epi-LASIK, and Epi-LASEK American Academy of Ophthalmology. Accessed 2026-08-25.
Management of Corneal Haze After Photorefractive Keratectomy. Ophthalmology and Therapy. 2023;12(6):2841-2862 Ophthalmology and Therapy (Springer). Accessed 2026-08-25.

When can I be in sunlight after PRK?

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