If you have dry eyes before undergoing LASIK surgery, it can delay or even prevent the procedure from taking place. During the procedure, some nerves in the cornea are cut and, as a result, may delay or stop tear production. This can worsen a case of dry eye and make you a poor candidate for LASIK. It is important to have your dry eye comfortably under control before having the surgery.
Most patients experience symptoms of dry eye syndrome after the procedure, but these usually go away after a couple of weeks. However, in some rare cases, it can last up to a year. In most cases, symptoms can be managed with eye drops or medications. Having dry eyes doesn't necessarily disqualify you from having LASIK surgery.
However, your provider will need to evaluate your symptoms, determine the cause of dry eyes, and ensure that dry eye syndrome is being (or has been) treated properly and is stable and under control at the time of surgery. During your initial consultation for LASIK surgery, the OAV's expert team will carefully evaluate your dry eyes and recommend the most appropriate course of action for you. LASIK is an extraordinarily safe and effective surgical procedure that has only become safer over the past decade. Now that LASIK has been around for decades, more and more people are eligible for it than ever before.
However, no surgery is without risks, even if they are relatively rare, as is the case with LASIK. To be a good candidate for LASIK surgery, you must meet certain criteria and have no underlying conditions that could affect the outcome of the procedure. If you have dry eyes before undergoing LASIK surgery, it is important to discuss this with your doctor to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and ensure that your dry eye syndrome is being (or has been) treated properly and is stable and under control at the time of surgery.
With proper evaluation and treatment, you may still be able to undergo LASIK surgery safely.
