The cornea is normally clear, so corneal haze can greatly impair your vision. Although the haze can occur in any part of the cornea, it is most often found in the thicker, middle layer of the cornea, called the stroma.
Causes
Corneal haze most often appears after trauma, infection, or surgery. It is usually caused by inflammatory cells and other debris that is activated inside the eye.
Corneal haze also sometimes occurs during laser vision correction procedures. Although it can occur in LASIK, it is more often associated with procedures such as PRK or LASEK.
Treatment
When corneal haze appears after surgery or other wounds, it will usually disappear as the eye heals. In more severe cases, a doctor may prescribe eye drops or other medication. The haze that develops following refractive surgery normally resolves after a few days, but sometimes takes up to six months.
Corneal haze is usually successfully treated in post-laser surgery patients with medicated eye drops. The symptoms of seeing halos and glare usually resolve before the haze fully disappears.
Prevention
If your eyes are not healthy or if your overall health is suffering, you are more likely to develop corneal haze after having refractive surgery. However, haze is not common in LASIK patients, even when the amount of correction is high. It may be preferable to choose LASIK instead of PRK, LASEK, or Epi-Lasik if you have a high prescription and there is concern for corneal haze.
Also, using certain eye drops during surgery reduces the probability of developing corneal haze. Ask your eye surgeon for recommendations.
A Word From Verywell
The symptoms of corneal haze are not always associated with refractive surgery. Corneal haze can be caused by serious problems that may require immediate attention. If you develop symptoms of corneal haze, it is best to see an eye doctor immediately.
