Laser keratomileusis or LASIK is one of the most widely used and well-known eye procedures required to improve vision.
One problem many patients undergoing laser eye surgery face is dry eyes. In fact, these are the most common problems reported by those who have undergone the procedure.
However, it is difficult to obtain the exact number of patients whose dry eye was caused directly by the operation itself. This is because in many cases the patient was predisposed to this condition before surgery. And in these cases, you probably shouldn’t have been approved to undergo the procedure.
Epi-Lasik
Fortunately, there are other options for those who already have dry eye or other dry eye problems. And instead, an operation like Epi-Lasik or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) should be considered. Both methods are less invasive to the eyes and therefore less likely to cause dry eyes or other vision problems.
However, it is best to wait at least a month or two after surgery before assuming that laser eye surgery is causing you a permanent dry eye condition. This is because almost all patients will experience some level of this condition immediately after the procedure.
Symptoms resolving
In most cases, symptoms resolve in about three to six months, which is the usual recovery period. During this period, you can alleviate the problem with regular over-the-counter eye drops. However, if the condition persists, your doctor may need to suggest a longer-term solution. Fortunately, treatment for this syndrome, unlike laser eye surgery itself, is covered by most health insurance policies.
To minimize the chance that you will have problems during lasik surgery, it is best to choose your doctor carefully. Thousands of advertisements for corrective eye surgery have convinced many that the procedure is no more dangerous than a walk in the park.
Complications
In fact, however, complications can occur with any type of surgery, even minor ones. But since you only have one pair of eyes, you need to be especially careful with your chosen doctor. With that in mind, instead of choosing a doctor or clinic based on the amount of money you save on your special promotional sale price, choose it based on the number of successful patients you have operated on.
Dry eye can be bothersome, but luckily, the condition is not harmful to your vision. And, if this is the least of your problems after surgery, you may decide that it is still worth it.