Dealing With Dry Eye After Lasik Surgery
Posted by: admin in Andrew Caster MD, tags: Andrew Caster MD, laser eye surgery Los Angeles, los angeles lasik, Los Angeles Lasik surgeon
Dry eye has been long recognized as a postoperative side effect of Lasik surgery. Global Press Release And Newswire reports of studies that have concluded that clinically detectable dry eye is present nearly universally following Lasik surgery, even when patients do not normally experience dry eye symptoms. There are a few of causes of dry eye problems. First, when the corneal flap is created during the Lasik procedure, either a steel blade or a laser must cut through the corneal tissue and corneal nerves are disrupted in the process. The deeper this cut, the more likely the disruption to nerve tissue. The laser reshaping of the cornea further disrupts the nerve tissue. During the time while the nerve tissue heals and regenerates, the reflex to tear and blink is significantly diminished, thus creating the dry eye problem. A top leading Los Angeles Lasik surgeon discusses dealing with dry eye often associated with laser procedures.
When asked if there are any pre-Lasik tests that could determine if patients may experience dry eye side effects, Los Angeles Lasik vision correction specialist Dr. Andrew Caster responds that there are no tests that can absolutely tell if a person will have dry eye after Lasik, but that there are a number of indications of who is more likely to experience this problem. The most important information has to do with the degree of dry eye before Lasik – those with severe dry eye who cannot wear contacts and who have dry eyes with their glasses are at the highest risk, and should consider PRK/LASEK, which does not increase dry eye. Tests such as the Tear Breakup Time and the presence of corneal stippling are also important.
According to surgeons who specialize in laser eye surgery Los Angeles patients should be certain his or her eye surgeon approaches the problem of dry eye after a Lasik procedure with a good preoperative evaluation for preexisting dry eye problems and maximizing the surface condition prior to performing Lasik. Also to maximize their vision postoperatively, it is strongly advised that patients make use of artificial tears and gel lubricants postoperatively, even if the they do not complain of dry eye symptoms previously.
Studies have shown that these measures can improve visual outcomes and reduce the need for enhancements after Lasik surgery. It appears that the improved quality of the tear layer can actually improve a patients vision, so that they are less likely to feel the need for additional or touch up surgery. This not only improves the patients overall experience but decreases the possibility of secondary side effects or complications that could occur with a second procedure, however rare that would be.
Ultimately, attention to detail with every aspect of surgery enhances the outcomes as well as patient satisfaction in the long run. Andrew Caster MD who offers high quality eye corrective procedures in the greater Los Angeles area note that it is very important for surgeons to pay close attention to new and innovative technologies and medications on every level as they are developed.
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