POST LASIK DRY EYE

Abstract

Dry eye is one of the most common annoying diseases in ophthalmic practice, LASIK both affect and get affected by the degree of the dry eye. Dry eye after LASIK is dependant on the degree of myopia, the depth of the ablation, the width and position of the hinge, the tear film and the degree of dryness preoperative. Many investigations can be done for diagnosis of dry eye disease including tear break up time test, ocular surface staining, Schirmer test, Fluorescein clearance test, meibography and tear osmolarity test. Although dry eye after refractive surgery is usually transient, some patients complain of severe symptoms, which may negatively influence their satisfaction with the outcome of the procedure. It is important for refractive surgeons to identify candidates with symptoms or signs of dry eye during the preoperative evaluation because these individuals are at risk for developing severe LASIK-associated dry eye after surgery. Prophylactic optimization of the ocular surface is critical to prevent or decrease the severity of LASIK associated dry eye. Summary 80 Management of dry eye after LASIK is divided into several steps according to each case; including tear supplementation by non-preserved artificial tears and ointments, tear stimulation, tear retention by punctal plugs , control of the inflammation , nutritional supplementation till the surgical approaches such as permanent punctual occlusion, lateral tarsorrhaphy, botulinium A toxin injection.