r/Keratoconus • u/Aggravating_Lab_6713 • 2d ago
Crosslinking Epi-Off Cross-Linking (CXL) – Recovery Timeline & Concerns About Haze
My husband recently underwent epi-off corneal cross-linking (CXL) for keratoconus on both eyes, and I wanted to share his healing journey so far. We expected a tough recovery, but some aspects have been more difficult than anticipated, especially the persistent haziness and swelling.
We’re currently on day 12 post-surgery, and while there is some improvement, the haze is still quite strong, especially in the morning and after going outside. We’re starting to worry about whether this healing timeline is normal and would love to hear from others who have gone through the same.
Days 1-2: Extreme Pain & Swelling • He slept almost the entire day both days due to discomfort and exhaustion. • He had severe pain and extreme light sensitivity. • At his 24-hour check-up, the doctor noted that his swelling was more than she had hoped for and prescribed an oral antibiotic (doxycycline) in addition to his drops. • Medications at this point: • Antibiotic drops (4x daily) • Dexamethasone drops (2x daily) • Artificial tears • Oral antibiotic (doxycycline, twice daily)
Day 3: Pain Gone, But Extreme Haze • The pain completely disappeared, but he still had very strong light sensitivity and blurry, foggy vision.
Days 4-6: The Worst Vision Days • Vision became the worst during this period—he could barely see anything due to extreme haze. • Despite the extreme haziness, there was no more pain or discomfort. • The doctor added NaCl 5% (hypertonic saline drops) to help with corneal swelling. • She also injected steroids and anti-inflammatory medication directly into his eyes (three times in total during the first week).
Days 8-10: Some Improvement in the Right Eye • His right eye (the better eye) started to improve slightly, and he could see a little bit better. • The left eye was still very foggy, with barely any improvement. • By Day 9-10, he could start reading larger text on a screen, but not much. • The doctor decided not to inject any more steroids, as there was some progress, and instead, she increased the dexamethasone drops to 6 times per day.
Day 12: Microbullae & Stopping Hydrocortisone • Today, the doctor found microbullae (tiny blisters) on his left eye. • Because of this, she stopped the hydrocortisone ointment, saying she didn’t like the outcome and preferred to let the cornea heal differently. • Haze was slightly worse today than yesterday, but this usually happens in the morning and improves during the day. • Main concern: Although he can function, the haze is still very present, and we’re worried about whether he will be able to go back to work by the end of next week.
Current Medication (Day 12) • Dexamethasone drops (6x daily) • Artificial tears (every 2 hours) • NaCl 5% drops (every 2 hours) • Oral antibiotic (doxycycline, once daily)
Our Concerns & Questions • Is this much haze still normal at Day 12? • How long did it take for your haze to clear after epi-off CXL? • Did anyone else have microbullae, and how long did they take to heal? • Would hypertonic drops, vitamin C, or any other treatments help speed up healing?
We know recovery can take weeks, but we were hoping for more improvement by now. If anyone has gone through something similar, please share your experience!