22M with hyperopic astigmatism, confused about SmartSurfACE TransPRK
Hey everyone,
I’m 22, male, and I do combat sports. So I absolutely need a flapless procedure, flap dislodgement from a punch to the face is not a risk I’m ever willing to take.
My prescription:
Both eyes — Sphere +1.00, Cylinder -2.50, Axis 180 (SE -0.25)
What I’ve ruled out and why:
• WaveLight InnovEyes / LASIK — has a flap, instant dealbreaker for my lifestyle
• SMILE Pro — consulted a surgeon who confirmed lenticule extraction isn’t feasible for my +1.00 hyperopia component
• SILK & SmartSight — don’t treat hyperopia at all
• EVO Toric ICL — doctor said it’s a last resort for people who genuinely can’t undergo laser, not indicated for a mid-range prescription like mine
So after all of that, TransPRK (SmartSurfACE / Schwind Amaris) is the only viable option left on the table for me.
What’s worrying me:
• Bowman’s layer is permanently removed and doesn’t regenerate — does this mean lifelong UV sensitivity? Are glares and halos something you actually live with long term?
• Seeing a lot of accounts of people developing permanent chronic dry eye post-PRK — how common is this really?
• Long term quality of life for someone who’s physically active — can you actually forget you had surgery after healing?
Also i heard LASIK procedure assumes the fact that your eyes heal afterwards, sometimes the nerves never heal 😭
Please enlighten me what should i do