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Dry Eye After LASIK®: What Causes It and How to Find Relief
Dry eye is one of the most common side effects after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK®). Most patients experience this issue to some degree during recovery, and while dry eye usually resolves within a few months, the symptoms can be frustrating in the meantime.
At his practice in Rapid City, South Dakota, Stephen Khachikian, MD, performs LASIK and works with patients to manage dry eye symptoms before and after surgery. Here’s why dry eye happens after LASIK and what can provide relief.
Why LASIK affects how your eyes produce tears
The surface of your cornea contains a network of nerves that play a role in tear production. When you blink, those nerves signal your eyes to produce the moisture that keeps your corneas comfortable and clear.
During LASIK, Dr. Khachikian creates a thin flap in the cornea to access the underlying tissue. This process temporarily disrupts some of the corneal nerves. While the nerves regenerate over time, the disruption can reduce the signaling that tells your eyes to produce tears, leading to dryness in the weeks and months following surgery.
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), an alternative type of laser eye surgery, doesn’t create a flap. PRK tends to cause less long-term dry eye, although some short-term dryness is common during recovery.
Common dry eye symptoms after LASIK
Post-LASIK dry eye doesn’t always feel like obvious dryness. Symptoms in your eyes can include:
- Sandy or scratchy sensations
- Burning or stinging
- Fluctuating or blurry vision
- Light sensitivity
- Excessive tearing, paradoxically caused by reflex tearing in response to dryness
- Tired eyes after long stretches of reading or screen use
- The sensation of something being lodged in your eye
These symptoms can range from mild and short-lived to more persistent.
Who’s more likely to experience dry eye after LASIK
Some patients are more prone to post-LASIK dry eye than others. Risk factors include:
- Pre-existing dry eye
- Higher prescriptions
- Being female
- Autoimmune conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis
- Long-term contact lens wear
- Age, with patients over 50 more likely to develop or experience worsening dry eye
This is why Dr. Khachikian evaluates your tear production and ocular surface health before scheduling you for LASIK.
How to find relief: Managing dry eye after LASIK
Most cases of post-LASIK dry eye respond well to simple measures. Dr. Khachikian tailors your treatment options to how mild or severe your symptoms are:
Preservative-free artificial tears
Lubricating eye drops are the first line of defense and the easiest to incorporate. Preservative-free options are gentler for frequent use, and most patients use them several times a day during recovery. Severe dryness may call for thicker gel drops or ointments at night.
Omega-3 fatty acid supplements
Omega-3s can support the meibomian glands, which produce the oily layer of your tears. Regular supplementation or increasing dietary intake from fatty fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts may improve tear quality over time.
Warm compresses and lid hygiene
Warm compresses applied to the eyelids help keep the meibomian glands functioning well, which improves tear quality. Gentle eyelid cleaning can also reduce inflammation that contributes to dryness.
Prescription medications
When other approaches aren’t enough, prescription eye drops like cyclosporine or lifitegrast can reduce inflammation and improve tear production over time.
Adjustments at home that help with dry eye
Beyond medical treatments, small changes in your daily environment can ease dry eye symptoms. You can:
- Use a humidifier in dry indoor spaces
- Position yourself away from blowing air from fans, vents, and AC units
- Take regular breaks from screens to allow more frequent blinking
- Wear wraparound sunglasses outdoors to reduce exposure to wind and debris
- Stay well-hydrated throughout the day
These adjustments don’t replace medical treatment, but they can make symptoms more manageable, especially during the first several months after your LASIK procedure.
If dry eye is interfering with your comfort or vision after LASIK, effective treatments are available. Contact Stephen Khachikian, MD, by calling 605-203-4256 or scheduling an appointment online to discuss your symptoms and find the right approach for your eyes.
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