DRY EYE

A report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology published in 2002 states that dry eye is the most common complication of LASIK surgery.1 Refractive surgeons are aware that LASIK induces dry eye, yet patients are not fully informed as to the etiology, chronic nature and severity of this condition.
“My LASIK dry eye is not a minor problem, as downplayed by some ophthalmologists. It's a disability. I estimate that I am blind approximately 10 percent of the time due to my eyes being closed because of the pain. At the time of my surgery, I was told only a small number of patients experience a complication from this procedure. There is substantial evidence that shows this crippling side effect to be relatively common.” LASIK patient David Shell, testifying before the FDA Ophthalmic Devices Panel in August, 2002.

Persistent Dry Eye and Quality of Life after LASIK
Patients elect to undergo LASIK surgery with the expectation of improved quality of life. Instead, many are living with chronic pain from LASIK-induced dry eye. The FDA website states that dry eyes after LASIK may be permanent (http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/LASIK/risks.htm).
Patients should be informed that LASIK surgery severs corneal nerves that play a crucial role in tear production, and that these nerves do not return to normal. Inability to sense and respond to dryness may lead to ocular surface damage.

Medical Research on Duration and Severity of Dry Eye
Dry eye disease is a painful, chronic condition for some patients after LASIK surgery. In 2001, Hovanesian, Shah, and Maloney found that 48% of LASIK patients reported symptoms of dryness at least 6 months after surgery, including soreness, sharp pain and eyelid sticking to the eyeball.
A Mayo Clinic study published in 2004 demonstrates that 3 years after LASIK, corneal nerves are less than 60% of preoperative densities.

In 2006, researchers at Baylor College of Medicine reported the incidence of dry eyes six months after LASIK at 36% overall and 41% in eyes with superior-hinges. These findings were based on objective medical tests rather than patient questionnaires, which is significant as patients with nerve damage may not be capable of sensing dryness.


The scientific literature is replete with case reports and studies of LASIK-induced dry eye. This complication is widely recognized in the industry as the most common complaint of LASIK patients, yet the problem is downplayed in the informed consent process. Most dry eye therapies provide only marginally effective symptomatic relief. There is no cure for LASIK-induced dry eye. Internet bulletin boards with forums devoted to post-LASIK dry eye are a testament to this widespread, debilitating condition.