Can Dry Eyes Affect LASIK Results?

LASIK eye surgery has helped millions of people reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses and contact lenses. While LASIK is a safe and highly effective procedure for many patients, certain eye health conditions can influence both candidacy and outcomes. If you’re considering LASIK, understanding how dry eyes can affect your results is an important part of the decision-making process.

Understanding Dry Eye Disease

Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. This can lead to symptoms such as burning, irritation, redness, fluctuating vision, or a gritty sensation. Many people have mild dry eye symptoms without realizing it, especially those who spend long hours on digital devices or wear contact lenses regularly.

Because LASIK reshapes the cornea, the health and stability of the tear film play a key role in both healing and visual clarity after surgery.

How Dry Eyes Can Impact LASIK Results

Dry eyes don’t automatically disqualify you from LASIK, but unmanaged dry eye can affect outcomes in several ways:

• Slower healing: Adequate tear production is essential for proper corneal healing after LASIK.

• Temporary or prolonged discomfort: Dry eye symptoms may worsen after surgery if not addressed beforehand.

• Fluctuating vision: An unstable tear film can cause blurry or inconsistent vision, especially during the early recovery period.

• Less predictable results: Severe, untreated dry eye can impact the accuracy of pre-operative measurements used to plan LASIK.

The good news is that most dry eye issues can be identified and treated before surgery, significantly improving both comfort and results.

Why a LASIK Consultation and Evaluation Matters

A comprehensive LASIK consultation at Limestone Eye Care is designed to do more than determine if you’re interested in surgery - it evaluates whether your eyes are truly ready for it. During your evaluation, your eye doctor will:

• Assess the health of your tear film

• Check for signs of dry eye or eyelid inflammation

• Measure corneal thickness and shape

• Review your lifestyle, screen habits, and contact lens use

If dry eye is detected, your doctor may recommend treatments such as artificial tears, prescription eye drops, eyelid therapies, or lifestyle adjustments before proceeding with LASIK. Treating dry eye first helps create a healthier ocular surface and more reliable surgical outcomes.

Can You Still Have LASIK If You Have Dry Eyes?

In many cases, yes. Mild to moderate dry eye can often be managed successfully prior to surgery. Some patients may simply need a short treatment period before moving forward, while others may be better candidates for alternative vision correction options. The key is personalized evaluation and care.

Tale the Next Step at Limestone Eye Care

Dry eyes can influence LASIK comfort, healing, and visual results - but they don’t have to stand in the way of clearer vision. With a thorough LASIK consultation and proper dry eye management, many patients can safely and successfully undergo LASIK with excellent outcomes. Identifying and addressing dry eye before surgery is one of the most important steps toward long-term visual satisfaction.

If you’re considering LASIK or wondering whether dry eyes may affect your candidacy, schedule a LASIK consultation at Limestone Eye Care today. Visit our office in Lawrence, Kansas, or call (785) 268-6880 to book an appointment.