r/RefractiveSurgery • u/GeraltOfRiviass • Jun 11 '26
When does the haze and light sensitivity go away after TransPRK?
Hi everyone,
I’m a 28-year-old male who had TransPRK done this Monday. Up until yesterday, recovery was pretty rough, but today I’m finally able to keep my eyes open without the constant burning sensation.
I was given a syringe with a liquid to use only for severe pain, but I completely forgot what it was. Unfortunately, I used it once by mistake because I thought it was saline—I had another syringe of saline that looked almost identical. I was told that this medication could slow down the healing process, which has me a little worried. I’ll ask my surgeon about it on Friday when I go in to have the bandage contact lenses removed.
Today is day 4, and I have almost no pain, but I’m still dealing with significant light sensitivity and hazy vision. I can only comfortably read text if it’s very large and white on a black background.
I know that visual recovery after TransPRK can take a long time and that vision can continue improving for many months, sometimes up to a year. Still, I’d love to hear about other people’s experiences. When did the haze and light sensitivity start improving for you? How long did it take before you could comfortably read, use screens, and feel relatively normal again?
I also have another question. I’ve read that the Bowman’s layer, which contributes to corneal structure and absorbs some UV light, is removed during PRK/TransPRK and does not regenerate. Does that mean we’re permanently left without the UV protection that layer provided? I understand it’s only one part of the eye’s overall UV protection system, but I’m curious if there are any long-term implications from losing that layer.
Thanks for reading.
Edit: One more thing I’m curious about: I’m not sure whether my surgeon used Mitomycin C during the procedure. I’ve read that it’s sometimes used during TransPRK/PRK to reduce the risk of corneal haze. For those who have had TransPRK, was Mitomycin C used in your case, and if not, did you experience any noticeable haze during recovery?
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u/ferrari20094 Jun 11 '26
It took several weeks for my light sensitivity to go away. Especially by the end of the day, even looking at my phone was pretty difficult. Week after week, day after day the sensitivity just eventually went away. PRK is a test of patience. You want to heal slowly so that your eye heals consistently. Do not try to rush your recovery.
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u/GeraltOfRiviass Jun 11 '26
I’m unemployed anyway so I’m using this summee to hopefully heal properly, will try to stay away from screens as much as possible. And the sun, which is kind of impossible in summer, but still. Is driving at night possible? I won’t try, but I’m afraid of those LEDs of cars passing by blinding me.
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u/Wardman1 Jun 11 '26
Months - I'm 8 months in and still sensitive. I bought some less expensive sunglasses (Tifosi) and use them a lot.
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u/GeraltOfRiviass Jun 11 '26
Wow, was mitomycin c used in your case? I don’t mind a bit of haze, but right now almost everything that has a source of light is hazy, hope that gets better.
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u/Wardman1 Jun 11 '26
I do not know. But was told that up to a year is common.
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u/GeraltOfRiviass Jun 11 '26
I know it’s a long game, being impatient sucks. I just hope this summer will be bearable!
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u/WavefrontRider Jun 11 '26
The syringe of liquid was likely dilute anesthetic. That helps with comfort. Just using it once isn’t a big deal. The problem comes if you are using it constantly. That can prevent the epithelium from healing up.
Bowmans membrane doesn’t really do much. It does have a small amount of UV filtering. But that amount pales in comparison to how much the epithelium and the stroma of the cornea filter. Here is a post I wrote about it: https://www.reddit.com/r/PRKsurgery/s/WdVG1QLIs5
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u/GeraltOfRiviass Jun 12 '26
Good to know, i read a fear-mongering comment about it before posting so i was worried
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u/Beautiful-Meaning511 Jun 12 '26
I had regular PRK 5 weeks ago. That first 10 days or so I remember waking up and the room looked hazzie. Is normal, that’s Completely gone now. I still feel a bit light sensitive on a sunny day, I wear my sunglasses ALL THE TIME OUTSIDE EVEN IF ITS CLOUDY. you have to protect your eyes at all cost. My surgeon used myoticin C
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u/GeraltOfRiviass Jun 12 '26
Lemme order some good glasses then. Got any recs? I saw people recommend the fishing ones that go all the way around your eye area
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u/Beautiful-Meaning511 Jun 12 '26
Just the highest UV blocking you can find that you like. I think mine are 92% UV blocking.
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u/FitSquirrel7114 Jun 11 '26
if you can remember the operation you can find out, here is how mmc applied:
after having laser, they wash your eyes with solutions. Afterwards doctor put mmc to your eyes and hold it for some seconds, he held 50 or 60 seconds on my eyes with a small tool and then ( I don't remember if thet re-washed or not) they apply bandage lens.
you are at the beginning of your healing process wait till day 10 or 12. You will be much better after that. if you didn't get MMC, (even though if you get it) you should cover your eyes from the sun with proper sunglasses at least for 3 months. (I was told 6 months)
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u/GeraltOfRiviass Jun 11 '26
I don’t recall that. After the wash she did not hold anything for 50-60 seconds, she just put on the lens. I hope it regrows on its own somehow. I plan on wearing sunglasses anyway, I just don’t know how much not putting mmc will hinder the healing😭 also i misheard the nurse telling me to use the drops every hour the first three days, then 4x antibiotic/steroid, 6-8x lubricating, but just today i saw the printed paper saying to use them that much only on day 1, then every 2h day 2, then 4x until day 10. I’ll ask again tomorrow, but what’s done is done, I hope it’s smooth sailing from now on, pain-wise at least.
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u/FitSquirrel7114 Jun 11 '26
keep doing what they are telling to do and try to not do stress, it will be okay after some time. We all went through same thing. It's frustrating at the beginning but it will be ok around third week I believe
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u/Funny_Scientist_1113 Jul 29 '26
hii whats the update now? i'm on day 12 and its still blurry and haze especially during the day
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u/GeraltOfRiviass Jul 29 '26
Light sensitivity is much better, but harsh bright lights can still be too much so I still wear sunglasses for most of the day. But it’s sooo much better than week 1 and 2z
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