LASIK and the Risk of Dry Eye

Many people have come to our Rapid City, SD clinic and to undergo LASIK. While LASIK surgery has proven extremely effective for many, there are some side effects involved that need to be taken into account. One such side effect is dry eye, which can be a serious source of discomfort. Let’s look at this issue in brief right now.

Dry Eye After LASIK Surgery

Patients who have undergone LASIK surgery commonly experience discomfort within the first 24-48 hours after their procedure. Specifically, surgery creates a temporary decrease of tear production, and some patients may experience dryer eyes than normal for up to six months after the procedure.

However, in some cases, patients will complain of a condition referred to as "dry eye," which occurs when the eyes are unable to produce enough tears to lubricate the eye. It has been found by the American Journal of Ophthalmology that the rate of patients who experience dry eye after the procedure is 36%, and the FDA states that dry eyes may be a permanent condition.

Letting Dry Eye Go Untreated May Be Detrimental to Eye Health

If dry eyes are left untreated, they can have a severe impact on the outcome of a LASIK procedure, and can even result in the regression of vision in a patient. In extreme cases, dry eye can become a permanent condition, resulting in chronic pain and visual impairment. Patients who choose LASIK or even iLASIK surgery must typically consider that some cases of dry eye cannot be successfully treated. It’s for this reason that patients who suffer from dry eye prior to LASIK surgery typically are not good candidates for treatment.

Symptoms and Treatment of Dry Eye

Common symptoms of dry eyes include pain, itching, redness and blurred vision. When diagnosed, it requires a pre and post operation evaluation, as well as necessary treatments. Successful treatments include the use of artificial tears, prescription tears, and punctual occlusion. Our team of Rapid City eye doctors will look into all options for optimal care.

Punctual occlusion is the placement of a collagen plug in the natural drain of the eye. There is a temporary occlusion, which is exactly that--a temporary closing of the tear ducts, which are typically used to determine whether or not a more permanent occlusion will provide enough tears on a long-term basis. Many patients report the collagen plugs improve not only the amount of tears their eyes produce, but also their overall vision and quality of life.

An eye drop named Restasis can also be prescribed for patients experiencing dry eye, which is an FDA-approved medication that can help your eyes ramp up tear production with continued use. In extreme cases, additional surgery can be performed to allow more tears to be kept in the eye.

Learn More About Your Options for Refractive Surgery

If you would like to learn more about LASIK surgery and alternatives to LASIK surgery, it’s important that you contact our Rapid City vision correction center today. The entire team here looks forward to your visit and addressing your many eye health goals.