Dry eye syndrome occurs when the eye cannot produce enough natural tears to keep it lubricated. You might experience itchiness, redness, and irritation if your eyes are dry. LASIK is a laser-assisted surgery that helps treat dry eye disease and provides long-term relief. This blog explores what causes dry eyes, how LASIK treatment works, and whether LASIK can cure dry eye syndrome.
What is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome (DES) or dry eye disease (DED) is a condition in which eyes stop normal tear production, causing your eyes to feel excessively dry, itchy, and uncomfortable. People who spend long hours staring at computer screens are most familiar with experiencing what is known as the “office eye,” often needing artificial tears, punctal plugs, or eye drops to relieve symptoms.
How Does Tear Production Work in the Eyes?
Your eyes have tear ducts called lacrimal glands that produce tears to keep them lubricated. When you blink, tears are dispersed throughout the cornea’s surface. The meibomian glands at the corner of your eyelids produce oil to coat the eyes and prevent tears from evaporating, keeping the eye lubricated at all times.
Causes of Dry Eye Disease
For several reasons, your eyes can stop producing adequate tears, leading to dry eye symptoms. People with damaged corneal nerves and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) have thin or disrupted tear films, causing severe dry eye syndrome. Aging is a natural reason for decreased tear production, as the normal functioning of the lacrimal glands dwindles.
Certain medications, like those for blood pressure or antidepressants, can also lead to eye dryness. Moreover, low-moisture and windy environments can cause tear evaporation faster, causing dry eyes. If you blink less frequently for long hours, tears don’t spread out nicely on the cornea, leading to dry eye symptoms. Hormonal changes, diseases like diabetes, and high blood pressure can also cause dry eyes.
LASIK Treatment for Dry Eyes:
LASIK laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis is one of the best treatments for dry eye disease. Temporary dry eye is common several months post-LASIK, but LASIK treatment can efficiently cure and alleviate pre-existing dry eye symptoms. According to the American Refractive Surgery Council, about 60% of participants in an FDA study who had dry eyes before LASIK reported feeling better after the surgery.
Because LASIK surgery works with the deeper layers of the cornea, it often causes dry eyes throughout the healing process; your doctor can suggest temporary punctal plugs or other dry eye treatments.
IPL for Dry Eye (Eye-Light)
Although intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy has been used for decades in dermatology, it has been demonstrated to be a successful treatment for MGD-related chronic dry eyes.
IPL Therapy for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
It targets the meibomian glands with pulses of polychromatic light with wavelengths between 500 and 1200 nm. Oxyhaemoglobin in the blood vessels absorbs the light, raising the temperature of the lighted cells and melting the solidified oil blockages that inhibit the generation of sound and hydrating tears.
LLLT – Low Level Laser Therapy
IPL is typically used in combination with LLLT or low-level laser therapy. Dermatology and dentistry have used this therapy method in clinical settings for many years. Laser light in the infrared portion of the spectrum is used to treat the eyelids. This laser light gently warms the Meibomian glands deep within the eyelids, allowing sebum to escape from the blocked glands.
Benefits of LASIK Surgery for Dry Eyes
LASIK dry eye treatment is one of the best options for treating chronic dry eye symptoms. IPL is more beneficial than conventional therapy methods and provides long-term effects after the initial post-LASIK dry eye symptoms during the healing time. Most patients experience benefits immediately after surgery, including lowering the need for artificial tears, improving eye comfort, and improving vision quality.
LASIK Enhances Tear Production
LASIK surgery plays a significant role in enhancing the function of your eye’s lacrimal glands, which are responsible for tear production. This improvement can potentially reduce your reliance on artificial tears or other treatment options.
LASIK Helps Decrease Irritation
LASIK eye surgery significantly reduces irritation and itchiness associated with chronic dry eye syndrome. As distortion in tear films due to corneal nerve damage is treated through photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) or other refractive surgeries, patients experience reduced pain, redness, and irritation after the post-surgery recovery period.
LASIK Helps Relieve in Discomfort
One of the significant benefits of LASIK surgery is its ability to relieve discomfort, eye strain, and other common symptoms associated with dry eyes. This relief can significantly improve your quality of life.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)- Related Dry Eyes
IPL laser therapy and other laser-assisted refractive surgeries can cure chronic dry eye symptoms, especially those caused by Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)- related dry eyes. IPL laser stimulates these oil-producing glands and enhances the lipid layer on the tear film, lowering tear evaporation and relieving symptoms.
Studies have shown that four IPL treatments are initially required, followed by a maintenance treatment every three to six months, depending on whether and how soon MGD might recur. However, this can vary for each patient.
Common Complications After LASIK Treatment
It’s natural to have concerns about the success of any medical procedure. With LASIK, you can rest assured. It has a 96% success rate, and most patients experience significant relief in symptoms after recovery. However, it’s important to note that like any surgery, there can be complications. Your ophthalmologist will discuss these with you during your preoperative evaluations.
As discussed above, most patients experience dry eyes after the LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) surgery. If you have pre-existing dry eyes, you have a high risk of experiencing postoperative dryness.
Your ophthalmologist will conduct comprehensive preoperative evaluations to determine your suitability for LASIK. They may also recommend preoperative care options such as punctal plugs and eye drops for symptom management.
Conclusion
LASIK surgery is not just a treatment, it’s a beacon of hope for those struggling with dry eyes. It provides long-lasting relief, corrects vision errors, and enhances vision. If you are battling with dry eye symptoms, don’t lose hope. Consult a professional ophthalmologist for expert advice and a preoperative evaluation to see if you are a good candidate for LASIK.
Bagan Strinden Vision: Your Partner for Safe LASIK Treatment
At Bagan Strinden Vision, our experienced ophthalmologists are not just doctors but your partners in vision care. They have successfully treated over 1,500 patients with LASIK and over 3,000 patients with cataract surgeries and glaucoma treatments. You can trust our skilled surgeons to deliver safe, efficient, and personalized eyecare using cutting-edge procedures.
Our skilled surgeons deliver safe, efficient, personalized eyecare using cutting-edge procedures. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of cataracts, don’t put off getting a consultation. Call (701) 293-8242 today to book a consultation with our eye doctors.
