Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and
Lasik, PRK, LASEK, Epi-Lasik, CK, P-IOL, RLE, etc.

There is controversy about the affect of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) on refractive surgery. It appears that HRT contributes to dry eyes. conventional or custom wavefront Lasik and All-Laser Lasik commonly temporarily exacerbate pre-existing dry eyes. The combination of HRT induced dry eyes and refractive surgery induced dry eyes may cause serious ocular health problems, including discomfort, edema, induced astigmatism, and epithelial defect.

PRK, LASEK, and Epi-Lasik have the potential to induce dry eye, but it is more rare and tends to be less severe. Induced dry eye is not normally an issue with CK, P-IOL, or RLE.

Women who take estrogen alone have a higher incidence of dry eye compared to those who take a combination of estrogen and progestin. While Lasik and All-Laser Lasik nearly always induce some degree of dry eye, it may not be enough to bother some people. However, when combined with HRT induced dry eye it can be problematic.

It may be that a change to your HRT would be helpful. It may be wise to select a refractive surgery technique that is less likely to induce dry eye, or to elect not to have refractive surgery of any kind.