The most common side effect of LASIK eye surgery isdry eye.
It is not uncommon for patients to have dry eye before LASIK as well.
This can increase the chances of experiencing dry eye after LASIK.
Artur Debat / Getty Images
It also will discuss dry eye treatments.
Artur Debat / Getty Images
What About LASIK Causes Dry Eye?
One reason dry eye may occur after LASIK is because of changes made to the eye during surgery.
An estimated 38% to 75% of people having LASIK may have dry eye before surgery.
For instance, these patients may have had trouble wearing contact lenses because of dry eye symptoms.
They then sought out LASIK as an alternative to wearing contacts.
LASIK is contraindicated if severe dry eye is present.
Is Dry Eye Permanent?
Dry eye after LASIK is not always permanent.
About 50% of patients who have had LASIK experience dry eye one week after surgery.
This reduces to 40% at one month post-surgery and 20% to 40% at six months post-surgery.
It is also possible to have dry eye without noticeable symptoms.
There are severaldry eye treatmentsavailable.
Your eye doctor may recommend trying different combinations of treatments before finding the right ones for you.
If your signs and symptoms are severe, see your doctor sooner for treatment.
In most patients, dry eye will last only a couple of weeks or months.
Eye doctors can work with patients to screen for and treat dry eye.
A Word From Verywell
Dry eye after LASIK may feel uncomfortable.
For most people, it is only temporary.
Still, you don’t need to just live with the discomfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
For most people, it is not.
Dry eye is most common in the first month after LASIK.
About 20% to 40% of people still have dry eye symptoms at six months post-surgery.
The amount of time that eyes stay dry after LASIK differs for everyone.
One to six months is the most common timeframe.
This is because dry eye can get worse after surgery.
Work with your eye doctor to treat dry eye before LASIK to help improve your tear film.
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