Many who undergo Lasik surgery to correct their vision experience dry eyes. The condition usually gets resolved within a couple of months, but for some these symptoms persist and even if they do not experience any vision loss, chronic dry eyes affect their quality of life.
They have to resort to artificial tears and other medications to get relief from these symptoms. Now the moot question is: Who is a likely to get dry eyes after Lasik surgery?
A recent research has found that people with a certain low level of tear production are more likely to develop a chronic dry eye syndrome after LASIK.
They have to resort to artificial tears and other medications to get relief from these symptoms. Now the moot question is: Who is a likely to get dry eyes after Lasik surgery?
A recent research has found that people with a certain low level of tear production are more likely to develop a chronic dry eye syndrome after LASIK.
"These findings should help ophthalmologists determine if pretreatment is necessary before surgery or if surgery is appropriate at all for an individual." says Dr. Darlene Dartt, director of the Military Vision Research Program at Schepens Eye Research Institute and the principal investigator of the study.
LASIK surgery uses small laser cuts to reshape the surface of the cornea, eliminating far-sightedness or near-sightedness, and the need for glasses or contacts.
Usually, LASIK causes some dry eye syndrome directly after surgery, but the condition resolves within a few months. In a small number of cases, however, the dry eye condition following LASIK can become chronic and impact functioning of both civilian and military individuals for as long as nine months following surgery.
Dartt and her team evaluated the eyes of 24 patients about to undergo LASIK at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.
The team discovered that if a patient had a presurgical tear production value greater than 20 mm of wetting of the Schrimer strip in 5 minutes, they were not likely to develop chronic dry eye syndrome. Patients who produced less tears were more likely to develop long-term dry eye syndrome.
So before thinking of undergoing laser eye surgery or LASIK, it's better to evaluate whether you have a dry eye problem or whether your tear production is less than minimal to decide whether you are a suitable candidate for LASIK.
After having LASIK surgery, most patients enjoy a clear, natural vision. This procedure allows them to enjoy a more fulfilling active lifestyle and pursue activities that were limited by wearing glasses or contacts. Additionally, undergoing LASIK, eliminates the expense of continually purchasing glasses, contacts or solutions required to see clearly.
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