Can I get LASIK surgery if I have dry eyes?
The short answer is your dry eye needs to be under control before you can get LASIK. This is possible if your dry eye is under treatment. This can include artificial tears, eye drops, or in office procedures. Once your dry eye is comfortably under control, you can undergo LASIK.
What are the tests done before LASIK?
The tests include an examination of the corneal composition, shape and thickness, the optics of eyes, tear production, intraocular pressure, pupil size, lubrication of the eyes and refraction. All these factors are considered for determining if a patient is suitable for undergoing LASIK.
When will dry eye go away after LASIK?
Most patients say their dry eye improves between six and 12 months after their LASIK procedure. If you experience severe pain or your vision worsens, make sure to contact your doctor.
Can dry eyes cause blurred vision after LASIK?
You may experience blurred vision along with dry eyes while you heal from the procedure. This can occur if your tears do not spread evenly over your eye. This can make it difficult to focus light, leading to blurry vision. Blurred vision along with dry eyes should be temporary.
Can dry eyes after LASIK affect vision?
LASIK causes some nerves in the cornea to be cut, which reduces corneal sensitivity to some degree. In response, you eye may not sense the need for lubrication, causing your body to produce fewer tears, leading to dry eye syndrome. Dry eyes after LASIK can cause both discomfort and less than optimal visual outcomes.
How long does LASIK dry eye last?
Post-LASIK dry eye usually lasts for at least 1 month. Tear function and dry eye symptoms improve to preoperative levels thereafter. However, a small number of patients still experience chronic dry eye symptoms more than 1 year after LASIK.
Which is better LASIK or smile?
Patients with thin or irregular corneas are typically better candidates for SMILE or PRK. If a patient is predisposed to chronic dry eye symptoms, SMILE or PRK may be a better option. LASIK is known to run a higher risk for postoperative dry eye symptoms and can increase previously held chronic dry eye.
Why you should not do LASIK?
Patients with autoimmune diseases are not good Lasik candidates. Many autoimmune conditions cause dry eye syndrome. A dry eye may not heal well and has a higher risk of post-Lasik infection. Other conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, glaucoma, or cataracts often affect Lasik results.
What to do for dry eyes before LASIK?
LASIK and Dry Eyes Before Surgery. Some patients are advised to take flaxseed oil or fish oil for several weeks to improve their tear film (the tear film is a covering that lubricates the surface of the eye). Others are given lubricating eye drops. A normal, healthy tear film is a requirement for a successful LASIK Eye Surgery procedure.
What to do with your tear film after LASIK?
Some patients are advised to take flaxseed oil or fish oil for several weeks to improve their tear film (the tear film is a covering that lubricates the surface of the eye). Others are given lubricating eye drops. A normal, healthy tear film is a requirement for a successful LASIK Eye Surgery procedure.
Do you have to use lubricating drops after LASIK?
But every LASIK patient will need to use lubricating and moisturizing drops often after their procedure. This is normal. You must keep the eye adequately bathed in tears in order for it to heal properly, so you should use the lubricating drops provided by your surgeon many times each day.
What happens to the cornea during LASIK surgery?
During LASIK surgery, a layer of the cornea is separated to form a flap (very much like a page of a book). This cut severs the nerves that provide sensation and respond to tearing, thus breaking the cycle of feedback required for normal tearing.