Lasik, or laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis, is a popular outpatient eye surgery done to improve vision by altering the shape of the cornea, the membrane that lies in front of the iris, the colored part of the eye, and the pupil. Reshaping the cornea changes the way light rays enter the retina, according to the Mayo Clinic. As with any surgery, Lasik has risks; one after-effect of Lasik is often dry eye syndrome.
Dry Eye Definition
Dry eye syndrome, also called keratoconjunctivitis sicca, refers to a condition in which the eyes either make less tears or don't retain enough tear film. Tears are needed to keep the tissues of the eye moist. Dry eye syndrome causes feelings of irritation and grittiness, like something is in the eye. The eyes may be red and irritated looking, and be very sensitive to light. Sometimes, vision is blurry, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Lasik Causes of Dry Eye
Lasik is done by cutting the cornea and reshaping it. This involves the cutting of nerves and fibers on the cornea. Lasik cuts some of the nerves that tell the lacrimal gland to produce tears and interferes with the tear feedback system. According to Terrence O'Brian, M.D., the surgical process will cause nearly every patient to have some degree of dry eyes right after surgery, until the eye heals and nerve damage resolves.
Treatments
Dry eyes after Lasik can be treated with artificial tears or with punctual plugs, which keep the tears from escaping the eye so quickly. Patients should also be instructed to avoid spending too much time staring at a computer screen, watching television or reading for long periods of time without a break.
Treating the eye before surgery may be even more successful at keeping dry eye syndrome at bay after Lasik surgery, according to Daniel Durrie, M.D. This includes taking omega-3 fish oils to improve tear production and the use of artificial tears pre-operatively. It also includes a thorough assessment of the possibility that the patient will develop dry eye. According to Dr. Durrie, one of the main reasons for requesting Lasik is an inability to wear contacts, which can be a symptom of already existing dry eye syndrome.
Complications
Severe dry eye can damage the cornea by causing inflammation and scarring on the surface of the cornea. Infection of the cornea can also result, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Duration
Normally, the dry eye from LASIK surgery clears up after six months or so, when the damaged nerves and fibers heal and transmit signals to the lacrimal gland to produce an adequate tear supply, according to the Mayo Clinic.
