LASIK and Dry Eyes
Chicago, Illinois
Dry eye syndrome is a relatively common condition that patients experience both before and after LASIK surgery. Patients with dry eyes do not regularly produce enough tears to keep their eyes healthy and comfortable. Symptoms of dry eyes include:
- Stinging or burning sensation in the eyes
- Scratchiness
- Excessive mucus in or around the eyes
- Low tolerance for smoke or wind
- Discomfort when wearing contact lenses
- Excessive tearing
Excessive tearing may sound like a contradiction as a symptom of dry eye syndrome, but it is an inevitable result: if your eyes do not produce normal tears at a rate that is sufficient to keep your eyes lubricated, the irritation will cause your lacrimal gland to produce a large amount of tears, overwhelming the eye’s natural drainage system.
How LASIK Affects Dry Eyes
Patients who already have dry eye syndrome should have their condition treated before LASIK surgery, as dry eye symptoms can potentially worsen after surgery. When the laser used in LASIK surgery penetrates your eye’s surface, it can reduce the sensitivity of your corneal nerve. As a result, your eye might fail to sense its need for lubrication, leading to inadequate tear production. This can cause patients who did not previously have dry eye to experience symptoms as well.
Thankfully, this condition can be controlled both before and after LASIK surgery to help patients maintain eye moisture. During a thorough pre-surgical examination, Dr. Golden will test you for Dry Eye Syndrome. If he determines that your condition can be successfully treated with lubricating eye drops and other therapies, you will not be eliminated as a candidate for LASIK. However, if dry eyes are of extra concern in your situation, Dr. Golden may recommend an alternative Laser Vision Correction procedure, such as Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK).
Preventing Dry Eyes After LASIK Surgery
Patients who did not previously have a problem with dry eyes may experience mild and temporary dry eye symptoms after LASIK surgery. To help these symptoms fade quickly, Dr. Golden will provide you with prescription eye drops and other supplements to help your corneal sensitivity recover after LASIK, returning your eyes to normal moisture production.
Careful follow-up with Dr. Golden after LASIK is essential. By caring for your eyes as directed after surgery, you can ensure your eye’s tear film is restored and you are in comfort until healing has completed.
If you have further questions about LASIK and dry eyes, please contact experienced Chicago eye doctor Mark Golden today for a free consultation. Doctors For Visual Freedom serves patients in the Chicago and Arlington Heights areas of Illinois.
Two Locations:
Doctors for Visual Freedom Laser Center
875 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1550
Chicago, IL 60611 | Doctors for Visual Freedom Laser Center
2010 S Arlington Heights Rd, Suite 121
Arlington Heights, IL 60005 |
