When can I drive 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

Usually not for the first 3 to 5 days, and only once your surgeon confirms your vision meets the legal standard.

You cannot drive yourself home from surgery. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says you will need someone to drive you home after PRK.

The first few days rule themselves out. EyeWiki describes tearing, light sensitivity, and blurred vision on days 1 to 3, with driving typically not possible during that window. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says vision is blurry after PRK and gradually improves over about 3 to 5 days.

The realistic gate is the bandage lens visit. EyeWiki says vision at bandage lens removal is commonly around 20/30 to 20/50. That is enough for many people to drive legally in daylight, but night driving is often harder for weeks because of halos and glare, which StatPearls describes as common during roughly the first 4 to 6 weeks. Your surgeon checks your vision and clears you. Do not decide this on your own.

When	Typical guidance
Surgery day	No driving at all. Arrange a ride home.
Days 1-3	Driving typically not possible due to blur, tearing, and light sensitivity.
Days 4-7	Many people are cleared after the bandage lens comes out, if vision meets the legal standard.
Weeks 2-6	Daytime driving usually fine once cleared. Night driving may still be uncomfortable from halos.

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 EyeWiki, American Academy of Ophthalmology. Accessed 2026-08-25.
Photorefractive Keratectomy (StatPearls) StatPearls Publishing, NCBI Bookshelf. Accessed 2026-08-25.

When can I drive after PRK?

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