Treating Post-LASIK Dry Eye and Why It Matters

When you start looking into LASIK surgery, you’ll want to understand as much as possible about what to expect from the procedure. Although LASIK is an incredibly safe operation that consistently delivers excellent visual results, it’s still important to be aware of any potential side effects. One of the most common side effects after LASIK is dry eye. But does LASIK actually cause dry eye, and will it go away over time?

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What Is Dry Eye? (Dry Eye Syndrome)

Dry eye occurs when your tears are unable to keep the surface of your eyes properly lubricated. This usually happens either because your eyes don’t produce enough tears, or because the tears you do produce aren’t of good enough quality to keep the eyes moist. In both situations, dry eye can lead to irritation, inflammation, or damage to the surface of the eye.

Dry eyes are generally uncomfortable, and symptoms can include:

Read also: Top Reasons to Consider LASIK Beyond Clear Vision

Causes of Dry Eye

Dry eye can develop for a variety of reasons. External factors may include air travel, overly air‑conditioned environments, eye surgery, cycling without proper eye protection, or staring at digital screens for long periods without breaks. While these triggers don’t usually cause chronic dry eye on their own, some people are more prone to dryness in these situations.

For people who struggle with persistent dry eye, the cause is often internal. One major factor is an abnormal or unstable tear film. The tear film has three layers: an aqueous (watery) layer, an oily (lipid) layer, and a mucous layer. If any of these layers is disrupted—due to autoimmune disease, allergies, hormonal changes, or inflammation of the eyelid glands—the eyes can’t stay adequately lubricated.

In addition, reduced tear production can lead to dry eye. Tear production may decrease with age, certain medical conditions, specific medications, or reduced corneal nerve sensitivity.

Some people experience excessive tear evaporation, most commonly when the meibomian glands (oil glands in the eyelids) are blocked or not functioning properly. This is more frequent in patients with rosacea or other skin disorders, as well as in people with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, who may blink less often.

Eyelid problems can also increase tear evaporation. Other contributing factors include ocular allergies, preservatives in eye drops, vitamin A deficiency, and environmental triggers like dry air, smoke, wind, or intense visual concentration on specific tasks that reduces the blink rate.

Read also: Everything You Need to Know About Advanced Surface Ablation

Does LASIK Surgery Cause Dry Eye?

It’s important to understand that some people already have dry eye well before they undergo LASIK. Because dry eye can be caused by many factors—from insufficient tear production to hormonal influences—this isn’t unusual. However, it’s also helpful to know that laser eye surgery itself can trigger or worsen dry eye, particularly while the eyes are healing.

During LASIK, a corneal flap is created, and this process cuts through some of the corneal nerves. This leads to a temporary decrease in corneal sensitivity. As a result, the eye may not “sense” dryness as effectively, and the normal feedback mechanism that stimulates tear production can be reduced. This can lead to inadequate tear production and, consequently, dry eye. In addition, changing the shape of the cornea can temporarily affect how the tear film spreads across the eye’s surface, which may also contribute to dryness after LASIK.

To manage dry eye after surgery, your ophthalmologist will prescribe lubricating eye drops and possibly other medications. You’ll be instructed to use them on a specific schedule to keep the eyes moist and support the healing process. Although dry eye is common after LASIK, most patients find that the symptoms are mild and temporary. As the eyes continue to heal and nerve function gradually recovers, these symptoms usually resolve over time.

Read also: Droopy Eyelids – Causes | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Treatment

Screening for the Risk of Chronic Dry Eye After LASIK

Because some patients already have dry eye before surgery, they may be at higher risk of developing chronic dry eye after LASIK, even though this is relatively uncommon. For this reason, your eye surgeon must perform a thorough examination to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for LASIK.

While pre‑existing dry eye does not automatically rule you out as a LASIK candidate, it is an important factor to take into account. Dry eye can affect the quality of your visual outcome after surgery, so identifying patients who are at higher risk of persistent dry eye following LASIK is crucial.

To evaluate for dry eye, your ophthalmologist may use one or more of the following tests:

When considering LASIK, it’s essential to be aware of all potential side effects, including dry eye. Although LASIK is safe and effective, it can temporarily reduce tear production and lead to dryness during the recovery period. To make sure you are an appropriate candidate for the procedure, consult experienced specialists such as Dr. Issa Baa’issa, Dr. Bara Faham, and Dr. Saud Al‑Johani. They will perform a detailed eye examination and help you determine the best treatment option for your vision and eye health.