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Dry Eye Treatment

Different techniques to resolve naturally occurring dry eye or dry eye induced by Lasik or Bladeless Lasik.


Image of woman applying artifical tears to her eye.  
Dry eye treatment can resolve many problems associated with poor vision quality.  
   

Naturally occurring dry eye and dry eye related to Lasik can cause discomfort, vision fluctuations, slow healing, exacerbate astigmatism, damage epithelium, and cause poor vision quality.  Fortunately, there are many techniques to resolve dry eye problems. This article discusses naturally occurring dry eye, Lasik induced dry eye, and dry eye treatment solutions.

Lasik Dry Eye

The amount that dry eye symptoms affect an individual depends on many factors.  For the vast majority of conventional or custom wavefront Lasik, Bladeless Lasik, PRK, LASEK, or Epi-Lasik refractive surgery recipients, the degree of dry eye symptoms is not significant enough to cause difficulties.  Even those who do have some trouble most often find the dry eye symptoms resolve within the normal six-month healing period.

PRK Dry Eye

PRK and its cousins LASEK and Epi-Lasik may induce dry eye symptoms, however Lasik and Bladeless Lasik seem to be more commonly associated with problematic dry eye symptoms. Although what is discussed here relates to all refractive surgery procedures that induced dry eye problems, Lasik is referenced.

Exactly why Lasik induces dry eye is not totally understood. There is no doubt that Lasik induced dry eye is caused by a multitude of events. If the right combination of these events occurs, you have dry eye symptoms. It is generally thought that Lasik induced dry eye is caused by the nerves in the cornea being severed when the Lasik flap is created, when the excimer laser removes corneal tissue, and/or by the change in shape of the cornea.

The disruption of the cornea nerves causes a decrease in sensitivity of the cornea and interrupts the flow of information to the entire tearing system. The lack of sensitivity may cause a patient to blink less. The disruption of the normal flow of information may cause the system to not know that more tears are needed or that specific components of the tears are needed. It is also possible that the disruption of the corneal nerves will provide the sensation of dry eyes, when in-fact the eyes are appropriately wet, or the sensation of normal eyes, when in-fact the eyes are inappropriately dry.

Although the corneal nerve sensitivity returns in a relatively short period of time, while they heal there can be dry eye symptoms. Most Lasik induced dry eye is resolved within the normal six-month healing period.

Different Causes of Dry Eye

To properly maintain or resolve refractive surgery induced dry eye problems, it must first be determined exactly what is contributing to the dry eye. It is not as simple as not making enough tears. Dry eye symptoms are cause by one or more of three occurrences. Reduced tear production. Increased tear drainage. Distressed quality of tears. Each requires a very different response and responding to the wrong cause can exacerbate the true cause of dry eye symptoms..

Tear Layers

There are actually three layers of tears. The outermost is the lipid, center is the aqueous, and at the base of the tears is the mucin. Each of these are produced in separate glands near the eye and carried to the eye in tiny channels. These three combine to provide the eye, particularly the cornea, with nutrients and lubrication.

The mucin makes the tear viscous and allows it to spread evenly over the whole eye. If there isn't enough mucin, then the tear doesn't smooth out and cover the cornea. The mucin acts like a "glue" and helps hold the tears to the eye. The aqueous is the thickest layer in the tear and is the water that protects and lubricates. The lipid is the outermost layer and is essentially oil. The oil helps keep the aqueous from evaporating too quickly.

The other important component to healthy tears are the drains called punctum. These are tiny holes at the upper and lower edges of your eyelids that allow tears to flow out while new tears are developed and delivered to the eye. There one upper and one lower punctum for each eye.

Dry Eye Relief

Below are some ideas for treatment to manage dry eye problems, in no particular order. These techniques have helped patients with Lasik induced dry eye while they healed after surgery. These techniques can be used by anyone experiencing dry eye symptoms, not just those who have Lasik induced dry eye symptoms. All techniques should be verified with an eye doctor before utilization.

Eye Health Examination

Your doctor should be evaluating the health of your eyes. Dry eyes slow healing and can cause other problems. The doctor needs to be sure some other health problem is not contributing to your dry eyes.

Check Medications

Many medications have dry eye inducing properties. Antihistamines, allergy medicine, hormone replacement therapy, other over-the-counter and prescription medications can exacerbate dry eye symptoms. Tell your doctor any and all medications you are taking, even if you think they have nothing to do with your eyes. The darnedest things can contribute to dry eyes. Check with your doctor if an alternative that is less likely to affect dry eyes is available.

Dry Eye Testing

There are two primary tests to determine what is causing the dry eye symptoms. The Shirmer test is to determine tear quantity. This is the process of putting tiny strips of paper in your lower eyelid and determining how far out the tears soak the paper in a specific amount of time. The other is called a Tear Break-Up Test (TBUT). TBUT is the application of a staining solution that shows where on the cornea and when the tears break apart.

Drink Water

Drinking plenty of water and restorative fluids may seem obvious, but if you are dehydrated, your eyes will be dehydrated too.

Avoid Dry Areas

Air conditioning, heating, extreme cold and extreme hot weather will dehumidify the air. If possible, avoid these areas. Air movement will also dry tears. Avoid having a fan directly on your face.

Humidify

Wherever possible add a humidifier. A humidifier in your home or at your workplace can help dramatically. Add a humidifier to your bedroom for nighttime and, if possible, around your work area. If you don't have a humidifier, just bring a pot of water on the stove to a slow boil. You can even add potpourri or soup bullion to make the house smell nice.

Artificial Tears

Be sure any artificial tears you use are free of preservatives. Preservatives can actually cause dryness. We have a list of artificial tear eye drops that includes if they have preservatives and what type. You can always tell they are truly preservative free because they cost quite a bit more than the preserved drops and they come in single-use vials.

Each artificial tear manufacturer uses a slightly different formula and one may be better for you than another.  Try different brands until you find one that is comfortable and provides relief.  Use these drops whenever you think you need them. If you do not notice an improvement, make an eye drop schedule and stick to it. Remember, your corneas may not be able to tell you they need more tears. Start with four times a day and adjust accordingly. Generally, you cannot use too many preservative-free artificial tears.

Make Your Own Artificial Tears

Several studies have shown that Autologous Platelet-rich Plasma eye drops resolve difficult dry eye symptoms where common artificial tears fail. The eye drops are manufactured by drawing the patient's own blood, extracting the plasma, and concentrating the platelets by centrifugation. Discuss this option with your eye doctor.

Flax Seed Oil

This is a nutritional supplement that you can purchase at most health food and vitamin stores. Taking flax seed oil each day has been reported to help with dry eye by increasing the quality and quantity of lipid tear layer. The flax seed oil liquid seems to get better results than the tablets, but it tastes awful. Mix it with fruit juice or even yogurt - something with a strong flavor. Dosage is around two tablespoons a day, or as recommend by the manufacturer.

Nutritional Supplements

Studies have found that certain combinations of vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids tend to decrease inflammation and improve tear gland secretions.  TheraTears Nutrition, HydroEye, and Hydrate Essential are examples of these nutritional supplements.  Fish consumption, such as salmon, sardines, and mackerel, can be helpful in adding omega-3 to diet.

Lubricating Gels

Along with the preservative-free eye drops, you can get gels to use at night. A few brands are MoistureEyes, GenTel, and Refresh PM. These are especially helpful for those who do not close their eyes completely at night.

Punctal Plugs

An eye doctor can provide these tiny plugs that stop or slow the flow of tears away from your eyes. See Lasik and punctal plugs

Protective Lenses

In general, protect your eyes from windy weather or extreme cold/hot. If you are one of those who sleeps with eyes partly open, using a lubricating gel and small swimming goggles may be appropriate.

Blepharitis Treatment

Scrubbing under the eye lids with warm water and baby shampoo, plus warm compresses that are the normal treatments for blepharitis often are helpful. The warmth makes the oil in the tears flow better and the scrubs keep the openings open. Learn more at our Lasik and Blepharitis article.

Antibiotics

You need to talk to your doctor about this, but some antibiotics may be helpful. A new application of this treatment is in the drug Restasis.

Steroids

Some doctors try to treat dry eyes with topical steroids. While this may be helpful, long-term use of steroids can result in other problems. Consult your doctor.

Restasis

This is the brand name of a prescribed ophthalmic eye drop with a small amount of cyclosporine included.  Cyclosporine is an anti-inflammatory.  Restasis can help dry eye be reducing inflammation around the tiny channels that carry the mucin, aqueous, and lipids to the eyes.  If swollen shut, these channels cannot deliver the lubricants necessary for a health tear film.  Although some relief may arrive as quickly as within a week of use, Restasis achieves its full effect after at least three months of continuous use.  Restasis is the only medication approved by the FDA for the treatment of chronic dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca).

Second Opinion

If you think your doctor is not knowledgeable enough to help you with your problem, get a second opinion. At the very least, you will know if you are receiving the care and treatment you should be receiving.

Looking For Best Lasik Surgeon?

If you are ready to choose a doctor to be evaluated for conventional or custom wavefront Lasik, Bladeless Lasik, PRK, or any refractive surgery procedure, we recommend you consider a doctor who has been evaluated and certified by the USAEyes nonprofit organization. Locate a USAEyes Evaluated & Certified Lasik Doctor.

Personalized Answers

If this article did not fully answer your questions, use our free Ask Lasik Expert patient forum.


Recent Dry Eye Medical Journal Articles...

Related Articles

[Comparison of corneal nerve regeneration and dry eye condition after conventional LASIK and femtosecond-assisted LASIK].

Zhonghua Yan Ke Za Zhi. 2015 Mar;51(3):188-192

Authors: Yu C, Li Y, Wang Z, Jiang Y, Jin Y

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare the regeneration of subbasal epithelial nerve plexus in the central cornea and dry eye condition between patients undergoing conventional LASIK surgery and femtosecond-assisted LASIK surgery.
METHODS: It was across-sectional study. Thirty patients (60 eyes) who had LASIK at our hospital from October 2011 to September 2012 were included in this study. Patients were divided into conventional LASIK group and femtosecond-assisted LASIK group based on the method used for corneal flap creation. Subjective and objective dry eye tests were carried out at 1 year after surgery. HRT III confocal microscopy was used to observe the regeneration of subbasal epithelial nerve plexus,and the images were analyzed by ACCMetrics software using quantitative parameters to determine the density and morphology of corneal nerve fibers. The data of corneal nerve fibers and dry eye condition in the two groups undergoing different LASIK procedures was compared using an independent sample t test.
RESULTS: During the one-year postoperative follow-up, the Schirmer test result, tear film break-up time value, and ocular surface disease index score in the F-LASIK group [(12.65±8.73) mm/5min, (7.85±2.81) s, (7.25±6.35) points] were not significantly different from that in the C-LASIK group [(16.73±10.55) mm/5min, (8.77±3.04) s, (4.46±5.37) points] (t=1.399, -1.050, -1.613, P>0.05). Regarding the nerve fiber measurements, which included corneal nerve fiber density, corneal nerve branch density, corneal nerve fiber length, corneal total branch node, corneal nerve fiber width, and corneal nerve fiber tortuosit, there was no statistically significant difference in their results between patients who had femtosecond-assisted LASIK surgery [(16.46±6.65) /mm(2), (19.27±9.56) /mm(2), (10.88±4.70) mm/mm(2), (65.10±38.43) /mm(2), (4.76±0.34) µm, (2.30±0.34) grades] and those who had conventional LASIK surgery [(15.99±7.14) /mm(2), (19.39±7.07) /mm(2), (11.30±3.17) mm/mm(2), (68.43±34.94) /mm(2), (4.73±0.24) µm, (2.14±0.34) grades] (t=-0.229, 0.049, 0.365, 0.306, -0.394, -1.629, P>0.05).
CONCLUSION: The difference between conventional LASIK and femtosecond-assisted LASIK does not significantly affect the dry eye test values and nerve fiber measurements in patients at 1 year after LASIK. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2015, 51: 188-192).

PMID: 26268641 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

 


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