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Category: How to Care for Pre- and Post-Surgery Eyes

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How Should You Prepare Your Eyes for LASIK?

The small detail that can shape your comfort and recovery.

How should you prepare your eyes for LASIK

LASIK can be an exciting step toward clear vision without glasses or contact lenses. Before moving forward, there is one important topic worth understanding together: Dry Eye Disease (DED). It is common and closely linked to how comfortable your eyes feel throughout the LASIK journey.

So, What Exactly Is Dry Eye Disease?

Dry Eye Disease happens when your eyes do not produce enough quality tears to stay moist and protected. Symptoms may include dryness, burning, blurry vision, or a gritty feeling.1,2 Many people only notice these when preparing for eye surgery.

So, What Exactly Is Dry Eye Disease?

LASIK reshapes the cornea to improve vision. During the procedure, tiny corneal nerves involved in tear production can be affected.2 After surgery, blinking may temporarily decrease, causing tears to evaporate faster and leading to dryness during recovery.1,2

Preparing your eyes before, during, and after LASIK
  1. Before surgery

    ● Get your eyes checked for dry eye symptoms.

    ● Use preservative-free lubricating or medicated eye drops if recommended.

    ● Apply warm compresses and reduce screen time.

  2. During surgery

    ● Proper dry eye management helps improve surgical measurements.

    ● Doctors may take extra steps to protect the eye surface.

  3. After surgery

    ● Use lubricating or prescribed eye drops to stay comfortable.

    ● Attend follow-up visits to monitor healing and dryness.

Healthy eyes start with the right care

LASIK is a journey toward clearer vision, and comfort matters just as much as the results. Want to understand your eye health better before surgery?

Explore more eye health articles or visit an ophthalmologist near you.

Healthy eyes start with the right care.

Reference:

1Shtein, R. M. (2011). Post-LASIK dry eye. Expert Review of Ophthalmology, 6(5), 575–582. https://doi.org/10.1586/eop.11.56

2Tamimi, A., Sheikhzadeh, F., Ezabadi, S. G., Islampanah, M., & Elahi, E. (2023). Post-LASIK dry eye disease: A comprehensive review of management and current treatment options. Frontiers in Medicine, 10, Article 1057685. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2023.1057685

Further Reading:

DOL Video Content.

Donaldson, K., Parkhurst, G., Saenz, B., & Whitley, W. (2021). Prevention of dry eye syndrome before phacoemulsification of cataract. Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, 48(5), 623–629. https://doi.org/10.18008/1816-5095-2024-3-517-526