It is common for patients who had LASIK surgery to experience dry eyes. At least 50% of those who had that surgery experienced dry eye.

Preventing Dry Eyes After LASIK Surgery

The best way to prevent dry eyes after a LASIK Surgery is to abide by the instructions given to you by your doctor. These tips can involve and are not limited to:

Resting
Avoiding certain activities
Using prescribed medications
Attending follow-up appointments

Why You Might Have Dry Eyes

If a patient has dry eyes before the procedure, that situation might aggravate after the surgery. But that’s not the only reason why you might have dry eyes. Cutting or altering the nerves in the cornea during the procedure can lead to dry eyes.

This makes the eyes less sensitive, and as a result, they might not give sufficient moisturizing tears as the patient heals. This will cause the eye to become uncomfortable and irritated after the procedure, leading to the eyes feeling dry.

When You Should See A Doctor

The LASIK procedure can cause a temporary decrease in tear production. During the healing process, many patients notice unusually dry eyes. A combination of supplements, medications, artificial tears, and ointments to treat dry eyes may be prescribed. Patients who suffer from chronic severe dry eye prior to surgery may not be good candidates for LASIK.  Nevertheless, if your condition worsens or you experience severe pain, it is recommended that you make an appointment to have one of our doctors check it out.

Considering An Alternative?

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a laser surgery technique effective for modifying the cornea. Nevertheless, it utilizes varying methods. Speak with your doctor about PRK if you think this will be a better alternative.

Bottom-line

In most cases, dry eyes will improve as your eyes heal from the procedure. Always contact your doctor if your symptoms deteriorate or you experience pain.