Can You Have Laser Eye Surgery with Dry Eyes? Here's What You Need to Know

If you have dry eyes, you may be wondering if you can still undergo laser eye surgery. The answer is yes, but there are some special considerations that must be taken into account. Dry eye is a common problem that can make you a poor candidate for LASIK surgery, as it can lead to significant discomfort after the procedure and delay proper healing. However, if your dry eye is being treated and is under control, you may still be able to have laser eye surgery.

Your healthcare provider will examine you to determine the severity of your dry eye condition. Sometimes, patients are given special medications for dry eye before Laser Eye Surgery. Certain procedures, such as spot occlusion, can be performed to alleviate the dry eye condition and minimize unwanted symptoms. During the procedure, the surgeon remodels the cornea by removing some of the tissue underneath it.

In the process, the surgeon cuts some of the nerves in the cornea, which can interrupt communication between the cornea and the tear glands for a while. This usually returns to normal quickly. However, those who have dry eye syndrome have a higher risk of significant discomfort after LASIK surgery and a possible worsening of dry eye symptoms. Researchers don't fully understand why this happens, but they have some ideas. It's important to note that with both PRK and LASEK, there is a risk of temporary dry eye symptoms for several weeks as the eyes heal. If your prescription fluctuates, you won't be considered a good candidate for Laser Eye Surgery.

Mothers who are considering laser eye surgery should wait 3 to 6 months or more after weaning to allow their prescription to stabilize. Acne medications can cause significant dry eyes, which may increase the likelihood of corneal scarring after laser eye surgery. After undergoing laser eye surgery, there's always a chance that you'll need to wear reading glasses or corrective lenses for at least some activities. While laser eye surgery is an excellent vision correction procedure for many people, it's not for everyone. If you have dry eyes, it's important to talk to your healthcare provider about your options before deciding whether or not to proceed with laser eye surgery.