Get LASIK Eye Surgery

You have read about it, thought about it, seriously considered it, decided to have it, became deathly afraid of it, overcame your fear and finally undergone LASIK eye surgery. What happens next?

While LASIK is a simple, painless, and easy procedure, it is still good to know what to expect after undergoing the surgery. After all, it is not everyday that you have an incision made on the flap of your eyes as is done in LASIK eye surgery. You also need to take into consideration that underneath this flap, corneal tissue is removed to alter the shape of your cornea. So while you may have felt nothing during the procedure, your eyes would still need time to heal.

Apart from the risk of infection, which is uncommon and can prevented by simply taking antibiotics prior to the procedure, the only other side effect of the surgery, some patients experience, is severe dry eye syndrome. This can easily be treated with artificial tears and may take up to six months to fully recover.

Why dry eyes? Upon completion of LASIK surgery, the natural action of your tear ducts is interrupted. The lacrimal gland, which secretes the aqueous layer of the tear film, is inhibited and this causes dry eyes. Dry eye condition is characterized by a gritty sensation, like having sand underneath your eye lids that move and scrape each time you blink. It is normally not serious but can be very irritating and can hinder you from performing your usual activities with ease. To avoid this condition, a LASIK surgeon may recommend lubricating and moisturizing drops to the patient.

There are patients who experience redness, itching, or pain after LASIK surgery, while others face minor problems that can be solved with topical eye treatments.

In order to solve serious LASIK dry eye problems, you may consult your ophthalmologist. He or she may recommend insertion of a tiny plug in the eyes to lubricate them, and at the same time prevent tears from going down the nose.

There are some who swear by linseed oil caplets or liquid flaxseed oil that are rich in essential fatty acids. Studies show it may be as effective as the antibiotic doxycycline and also have fewer side effects. Others also use a humidifier in their home to help relieve the scratchy feeling.

New treatments for LASIK dry eyes include punctal cautery and silicone or collagen punctal plugs. These treatments greatly reduce symptoms, promote eye healing and improve vision through enhancement of the quantity and quality of the natural tear film of your eyes.