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LASIK surgery can give you freedom from glasses and contacts, but for some patients it can also cause the side effect of ongoing eye dryness. If you've had LASIK surgery and now find that your eyes often feel dry, here's a look at your treatment options.
Lubricating eye drops
If your dryness is minor or only occurs from time to time, your eye doctor may recommend simple lubricating eye drops. These can be purchased over-the-counter at a local pharmacy, but your eye doctor may be able to prescribe a stronger formula if needed. The key is to use the drops on a regular basis before your eyes really start feeling dry. For example, if you know your eyes often feel dry after a few hours of computer work, put the drops in after 30 minutes of computer work as a preventative measure. Using the eye drops once your eyes do become dry will work, too, but it won't be quite as effective.
Punctal Plugs
After your lacrimal glands release tears, the tears are absorbed by your tear ducts. One way to keep your eyes more moist is to slow down the rate at which your tear ducts remove them from your eyes. This can be accomplished with punctual plugs, which are tiny pieces of silicon that your eye doctor inserts in your tear duct. Punctal plugs can be put into place during a simple, non-surgical procedure. In some patients, they cause a feeling of pressure for a few days – but this sensation should wear off quickly and then you won't even be aware that the plugs are there. The plugs come in several sizes, and your eye doctor may need to experiment with a few sizes to see which works best with your eyes.
Medications to Increase Tear Production
If your eyes really aren't making enough tears and punctual plugs have a minimal effect, your eye doctor may prescribe a medication that stimulates your eyes to produce more tears. Cyclosporin is a common medication in this category; it comes in eye drop form. It does cause temporary burning in some patients' eyes and cannot be used when wearing contact lenses, but it is a safe and effective choice for many patients.
If you've had LASIK surgery and your eyes are now feeling overly dry, don't ignore this issue. Chronic dry eyes can lead to infections and corneal scratches. So, talk to your eye doctor, like Country Hills Eye Center, to learn more about these and other treatment options.
Share23 June 2016
