Can you get LASIK if you have dry eyes?

LASIK expert Carlsbad CA

For people with vision problems who are tired of wearing glasses or contacts, laser vision correction is an option. The most common laser vision correction procedure is LASIK. During this procedure, computer-controlled lasers are used to reshape the cornea, which is the clear tissue at the front of the eye. This can significantly reduce a person’s dependence on corrective lenses (glasses or contacts), and can even eliminate the need for these lenses.

Although the vast majority of people who have LASIK are satisfied with their results, it’s important to know that this procedure can cause side effects, including dry eyes. Having dry eyes is relatively common, even before having LASIK. If you already have dry eyes, is LASIK an option for you?

LASIK can cause dry eyes

Dry eyes is one of the most common side effects of LASIK. In some studies, 50% or more of people who have LASIK experience dry eyes within a week after the procedure. This can feel uncomfortable, with many people reporting that it feels like there’s some grit in their eyes. It may even impair your vision to some degree, since very dry eyes can make your vision a little blurry.

For most people, this problem will resolve over time. After one month, around 40% of people still have dry eyes. However, after a year, it’s less than 1%. Although there are a few people who continue to experience long-term dry eyes after LASIK, this is rare.

Pre-existing dry eyes

Although LASIK is one potential cause of dry eyes, this condition is already relatively common in the general population. In fact, studies indicate that up to about 20% of the general population of the US has dry eyes.

Usually, having dry eyes is considered a contraindication to LASIK. This means that the procedure should not be performed in people whose eyes are already dry. This is because it may be difficult for your eyes to heal if they’re already dry, especially with the extra dryness LASIK can cause added on top of that.

In fact, assessment of your eyes’ ability to produce tears is part of the preoperative assessment for LASIK. Keep in mind that dry eyes is not always caused by a reduction in the ability to produce tears in general, although this can certainly occur. It can also be caused by a deficiency of one of the components of tears. Most commonly, this occurs because of a lack of function in certain oil glands in the eyes. Without enough of this oil, tears may evaporate too quickly, leading to dry eye.

If you have dry eyes, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll never be able to have LASIK. Although having untreated dry eyes is a contraindication to laser vision correction, there are treatments available that can help to address the issue. Talk with your eye doctor about how to address your dry eyes. If treatment is successful at addressing the issue, then you may be able to consider LASIK at that point.

LASIK expert Carlsbad CA

If you’re thinking about LASIK, your next step is a consultation with a professional who offers laser vision correction. Our expert eye surgeons have been performing these procedures for many years, and use advanced technology to get the best possible outcomes for patients. A consultation with one of our experts will allow you to find out whether you’re a candidate for LASIK. If you need any dry eye treatment first in order to allow you to consider LASIK, they can help you with this. Please contact our front desk to schedule your appointment.