There’s no denying LASIK surgery is popular. Since the procedure received FDA approval in 1999, more than 40 million LASIK procedures have been performed, making it the most common corrective laser eye surgery in the United States.
LASIK corrects refractive errors, like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, helping women and men reduce or eliminate their need for glasses and contacts. But, as popular and effective as it is, LASIK can still cause some side effects, including dry eyes, in the weeks and months following surgery.
As a top-rated laser eye surgeon, Rodrigo Belalcazar MD, PLLC, helps patients at Advanced Eye Center in Hialeah, Florida, get the best results from LASIK and other laser-based treatments.
In this post, learn why dry eyes sometimes happen after laser surgery and what we can do to help you find relief.
You don’t have to have laser eye surgery to develop dry eyes. In fact, as many as 38 million Americans suffer from dry eyes and the accompanying uncomfortable symptoms.
Not surprisingly, people who have a history of dry eye or other conditions affecting eye lubrication are also more likely to experience those symptoms after laser eye surgery. If you have dry eyes, learning to manage it ahead of time can reduce your risk of dealing with it once your surgery is complete.
Many laser eye surgeries, including LASIK and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), use laser energy to make incisions in your cornea or to reshape your cornea. In both these instances, corneal nerve damage occurs.
These nerves help control tear production in your eyes. While nerves heal over time, during that healing process, diminished nerve signaling can result in a temporary reduction in tear production and symptoms of dry eyes.
Tears are made up of three main layers: a watery layer, an oily layer, and a mucous layer. Together, these layers improve lubrication and moisture while preventing tears from evaporating too rapidly.
Laser eye surgery can temporarily disrupt the natural balance of these three components, interfering with the way tears are distributed across your eye surface. As your eyes recover, tear production and distribution typically normalize as well.
Laser eye surgery can also make your eyes more sensitive, in part due to damage to those tiny corneal nerves mentioned earlier. Changes in tear composition and distribution can also make your eyes more sensitive, which means you might be more aware of dry eye symptoms than you normally would.
It’s important to remember that dry eyes aren’t an uncommon side effect of laser eye surgery, especially LASIK, and that in nearly all cases, symptoms resolve within a few months. During this time, your eyes are adjusting, and natural healing helps restore normal tear production and distribution over time.
In the meantime, it’s essential to follow your aftercare instructions closely. Use eye drops and other medication as prescribed, and attend all your follow-up visits.
Protect your eyes from dry air and wind, and use a humidifier if your home or office is particularly dry. Wear sunglasses in bright environments — even indoors, if needed — and take frequent breaks if you use a computer or phone for long periods.
If you have any concerns or questions, or if dry eye symptoms are making it hard to perform your daily routine, call us right away so we can adjust your care plan and improve your comfort.
If you’re ready to learn how laser eye surgery can improve your vision, call 305-707-6011 or book an appointment online with Dr. Belalcazar and our team at Advanced Eye Center today.
