Can I get LASIK if I have dry eyes?Are you tired of wearing glasses and contacts? LASIK surgery is a popular and effective way to improve your vision without glasses and contact lenses permanently,1https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0161642016300963 but what if you have dry eyes? Can you still get LASIK? The short answer is yes, but there are some important factors to consider. In this blog post, we will explore the relationship between LASIK and dry eyes and what you need to know before scheduling your procedure.What causes dry eyes?When your eyes don’t produce enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly, it leads to dry eyes. There are several reasons why this may occur, such as age, hormonal changes, certain medications, underlying medical conditions, or environmental factors 2https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002939408003863What is LASIK?LASIK works by reshaping the cornea, which changes the way your eye focuses light. During the procedure, we create a small flap on the cornea with a laser, and the underlying tissue is removed to reshape your cornea. We then replace the flap so it can heal. The whole process takes only a few minutes 3https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA83911029&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=07445121&p=AONE&sw=w&userGroupName=anon%7Ebee4908c and you can expect to see immediate results.Is LASIK suitable for dry eyes?LASIK can exacerbate dry eyes for some people. The creation of the corneal flap can disturb the nerve endings in the cornea, which may affect the natural production of tears.Additionally, after LASIK, many patients experience temporary dryness as their eyes adjust to the new corneal shape. Therefore, it’s crucial to have your dry eyes under control before getting LASIK surgery.Before LASIK, we will perform a thorough evaluation to assess your suitability for the procedure. We will check your vision prescription, eye anatomy, and tear film quality.If you have dry eyes, we may recommend treatment options such as artificial tears, prescription eye drops, or punctal plugs to close the tear ducts and conserve tears. Treating dry eyes before LASIK can improve your comfort.It’s worth noting that some patients with severe dry eyes may not be good candidates for LASIK.In rare cases, the irritation and inflammation caused by dry eyes can interfere with the healing process after LASIK, potentially leading to complications such as corneal scarring or other vision problems. In such instances, we may suggest alternative options, such as ICL surgery SmartSight, two other types of eye surgery that do not involve creating a corneal flap.If you have dry eyes, you may still be a candidate for LASIK, but it’s critical to manage your dry eye symptoms before and after the procedure. Work with your eye doctor to develop an individualised plan to maximise your chances for a successful outcome.Remember, LASIK is a safe and effective way to improve your vision, but your eye health should always be the top priority. Book a free assessment with us to find out more about LASIK surgery.Home » LASIK » Can I get LASIK if I have dry eyes? Search for: ARE YOU SUITABLE?Check your laser eye surgery suitability online with our free LASIK self-testTAKE SUITABILITY SELF-TESTOUR MOST POPULAR PROCEDURESLASIKSmartSightICLLens ReplacementPRKRefractive cataract surgeryFAQsWHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY…“Very friendly and professional staff. Dr Russell is extremely informative and has a really positive presence. The doctor and all of the staff ensured all my questions were answered fully. I left the surgery feeling as if I’d been really well cared for.”Suzanne Cooper“The staff are all friendly and helpful.”Alana Jenkins“Dr. Russell and the entire team should be commended for their genuine care and personal attention. They made every possible effort to explain and clarify the treatment required and made sure I was comfortable through the consultation treatment.”Xerxes Meher“I was very impressed with the way they run things. It is a well-oiled machine. Everyone knew exactly what they were doing and were very friendly. To top it off, my treatment was excellent.”Iris Van Quickelberghe“Dr. Russell is my hubby’s specialist for years. We love him. Such a kind person and always spends time to explain everything.”Zita Farczadi Kershaw“Highly recommended. They are always helpful and friendly and the outcomes have been beyond my expectations.”Brad Gooda“Many thanks for your care and skill and a big thanks to all your staff for their friendly care and professionalism shown each time I have visited.”Henry Ellison“My wife came to see Dr Russell today and we wanted to say thank you to all the staff for the kind and professional service. We are also extremely grateful for Dr Russell’s generosity when it came to us paying for the consultation. We wanted to reach out and say thank you so much!”Troy and Liana ToddWe have replaced the images of real patients who provided these testimonials to protect their privacy.DISCOVER IF YOU CAN BE FREE FROM GLASSES AND CONTACT LENSESThe best way to find out if eye treatment is right for you is to have an in-person assessment. You’ll get a clear answer from our experts on your suitability and vision correction optionsBOOK A FREE ASSESSMENTHi, I’m Dr. Matthew Russel, your laser and cataract surgery specialistHI I’M DR. MATTHEW RUSSELL YOUR LASER EYE AND CATARACT SURGERY SPECIALISTWith over 15 years of experience, I enjoy the privilege of helping patients of all ages reclaim clear vision or preserve it for as long as possible.Vision correction and high-precision cataract surgery hinge on the expertise and skill set of the provider who also has access to the most precise tools for the job. Ophthalmic surgeons like me know how to make treatment safe, comfortable and positive for the patient. They know how to minimise the risk of complications and maximise successful outcomes.I have a passion for helping my patients enjoy the clear, high-definition vision they need to live rich and active lives. Now, I have hand-picked a team of professionals that share my passion and commitment to exceptional care.Dr. Matthew RussellMBChB, FRANZCO MORE ABOUT DR. RUSSELL