Quick Guide to Dry Eyes and Laser Eye Surgery
Updated for 2025
Our eyes are one of the most complex organs in the human body, second only to the brain. The human optical system is made up of millions of working parts that, when healthy, provide us with an invaluable picture of the world around us. But with so many components, there are also many opportunities for something to go wrong.
Humans have several biological defences designed to protect our eyes and ensure their smooth operation. Eyelids, the tear film, and an instinct to protect our eyes help to keep them safe from foreign objects and infection. But in this guide, we’ll focus on how these defences help to prevent our eyes from drying out and how Laser Eye Surgery can affect these processes. So, let’s take a closer look at the tear film.
The Tear Film – Layers of Protection
The tear film is the second line of ocular defense, after the eyelids. It consists of three layers – a surface oily layer, a middle water layer, and an inner mucous layer – that cover the ocular surface. The three layers work together to prevent the eyes from drying out in addition to protecting them from dust, debris, and infection. As such, when these layers are out of balance, we may experience dry eye symptoms and irritation.
The Symptoms and Causes of Dry Eyes
Dry eyes can develop for a number of reasons. It may result from systemic disease or biological changes such as menopause, as a side effect of medications or alcohol, or in reaction to the environment. In some cases, dry eyes may also be a side effect of Laser Eye Surgery.
Many people experience temporary dry eyes from time to time. In many cases, the problem is easily resolved with some easy-to-follow lifestyle changes, such as reducing the amount of alcohol you consume, avoiding prolonged screen exposure, or simply ensuring you are properly hydrated.
As more and more of us become reliant on screens for our work and personal lives, the incidence of screen-related dry eyes is also on the rise. This may be referred to as Digital Eye Syndrome or Computer Vision Syndrome. This kind of eye dryness is commonly exacerbated by poor lighting, improper viewing distance, glare, and decreased blink rate when using screens.
The development of Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) can also be related to contact lens use, smoking, and existing conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, Sjogren’s syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Millions of people suffer more acutely from dry, irritated, and itchy eyes that can cause extreme discomfort and potentially threaten their vision. Dry Eye Syndrome – also known as Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) – is a multifaceted issue, which can make diagnosis difficult. It is therefore important to be aware of the symptoms when they occur to ensure fast and effective treatment.
According to the National Eye Institute, the most common symptoms of dry eye are:
- A scratchy sensation, like there is something in your eye
- Stinging or burning feelings in the eyes
- Redness in the eyes
- Sensitivity to light and decreased tolerance to certain activities (such as reading, working at a screen)
- Blurry vision
As mentioned above, it is common to experience dry eye symptoms occasionally – especially if you spend a lot of time in dry or windy environments, or on screens. However, with only around one-fifth of people who suffer from Dry Eye Syndrome receiving a correct diagnosis, you should always speak to your eye doctor if you are regularly experiencing the symptoms listed above.
How Dry Eye Affects Suitability for Laser Eye Surgery
Dry eye is an important consideration when it comes to determining your suitability for Laser Eye Surgery. In some cases, having a history of Dry Eye Syndrome can be a contraindication for Laser Eye Surgery. But this isn’t always the case. Many patients with DES are surprised to learn that they may still be suitable for treatment. This largely depends on the cause of your dry eyes.
At our Harley Street clinic, we conduct extensive screening for every patient. This includes a review to determine the presence and causes of existing dry eye symptoms and the risk of developing problems post-treatment. If your dry eye symptoms are considered to be temporary, or if treatment regimes can help to improve symptoms, then it may still be possible to go ahead with treatment.
As our expert Laser Eye Surgeon, Mr Glenn Carp explains in the video above, we are often still able to offer treatment to patients with pre-operative dry eye.
Dry Eye as a Side Effect of Laser Eye Surgery
Dry eye is a common side effect of Laser Eye Surgery, which makes a rigorous screening process particularly important. A comprehensive consultation allows us to ensure every patient receives the safest and most appropriate treatment – even if that means turning them away. If a patient is found to be at an increased risk of post-operative dry eye symptoms, an alternative treatment may be recommended.
So, what causes dry eyes after Laser Eye Surgery?
The nerves on the surface of the eye are vital for sending information to the lacrimal glands – the glands responsible for producing tears that lubricate and protect the eyes. When the surface of the cornea is cut in Laser Eye Surgery to allow the tissue beneath to be reshaped, the associated nerve damage can disrupt this process. As a result, lubrication is decreased leading to dry eyes.
This dryness can persist throughout the recovery process, typically ranging from a few weeks to several months following Laser Eye Surgery. In a small number of patients – particularly those with pre-existing dry eye syndrome – this dryness can be more severe and persist for longer. Thankfully, in the vast majority of cases, dry eyes are a temporary side effect that can be effectively managed with lubricating eye drops.
These eye drops – also known as artificial tears – are provided by the clinic on the day of the procedure and are included in the cost of your treatment. Your patient care coordinator will walk you through your aftercare regime, including when and how often you should apply your eye drops.
In particularly severe cases of dry eye, you may be prescribed punctal plugs. These are small medical devices that act like a plug in a sink, preventing drainage of tears from your eyes into the tear ducts. They can be effective at keeping your eyes lubricated as the nerves on the surface of the eye recover. Afterwards, they can be removed by a clinician.
Managing and Preventing Dry Eye
Far from being simply a side effect of Laser Eye Surgery, millions of people live with the irritation of dry eyes daily. Fortunately, some simple changes can help to reduce, or even eliminate, dry eyes without the use of medications or punctal plugs. These include:
Prepare for the weather
As we mentioned earlier, dry or windy conditions can exacerbate dry eye symptoms. Obviously it’s not possible to control the weather, but you can plan accordingly. For example, preventing wind or air from blowing directly at your eyeballs can go a long way.
Protecting your eyes from windy weather can be as simple as wearing a pair of sunglasses. Team them up with a hat and a scarf in particularly blustery weather to further protect your eyes from the wind – and any debris that may be whirling around!
If you commonly use hair dryers to style your hair, be cautious of where you are directing airflow. The hot and dry air emitted from these devices can be a terrible combination for eyes that are already prone to dryness! Gusts from heaters and air conditioners can also wreak havoc on your eyes, so turn them down in your homes and cars and make sure they’re never pointing directly at your face.
Avoid dry environments
As mentioned above, hair dryers, heaters, and air conditioners can be monsters for drying out your eyes. But so too can spending a lot of time in generally dry environments. Dry air can cause any moisture on the surface of your eyes to evaporate more quickly. So, introducing moisture to the air can help to prevent dry eye symptoms.
Investing in a humidifier can be a quick and easy way to help prevent dryness. Air purifiers can also help prevent dust particles and other airborne allergens from irritating your eyes. However, when having Laser Eye Surgery, you should check with your surgeon before using humidifiers. In some cases, you may be advised to avoid them for a short time following your treatment.
Take a break from screens and strenuous activity
In our modern lives, it can be hard to get through even a single day without a prolonged screen session. Whether you work at a computer all day, enjoy watching the television with your partner or family in the evening, or are a sucker for scrolling before bed, all of these things can place significant strain on our eyes. But it’s not just screen fatigue that we need to be aware of.
Any activity that places strain on our eyes – from reading to sewing – can exacerbate dry eyes. Taking regular breaks from these activities can often help to reduce symptoms. Rest your eyes as soon as you begin to notice any of the symptoms we mentioned earlier – and ideally before!
Take a few moments to stop what you’re doing and prioritise the comfort of your eyes. Massaging your eyelids can help to improve lubrication while optimising your posture and viewing distance can help prevent further strain. For example, when working at a computer, position the screen slightly below eye level and tilt it backwards. This allows your eyes to relax, potentially slowing the onset of screen fatigue.
Limiting exposure to harsh overhead lights and adjusting the contrast and brightness of your screen can also be extremely helpful. Finally, consider making the 20-20-20 method a regular practice throughout the day. Look away from your screen every 20 minutes and focus on something 20 metres away for at least 20 seconds – it can be surprisingly effective!
Try some crocodile tears
While feigning sorrow might not help mitigate dry eyes, fake tears certainly can be. They can’t match the constant lubricating power of a healthy eye, but artificial tears can be incredibly useful when dealing with dry eyes. What’s more, they are widely accessible. They can be purchased over-the-counter in pharmacies and can be used as often as required. And for those who are experiencing post-Laser Eye Surgery dry eyes, they will be provided by your clinic!
Of course, eye drops should not be considered a permanent solution for dry eyes. Nonetheless, when your eyes are in need of an extra boost of hydration – such as when you’re heading out on a long-haul flight or burning the midnight oil to meet a deadline – they can be invaluable for some quick relief.
Ditching the contacts for Laser Eye Surgery
While recovery from Laser Eye Surgery can cause temporary dry eyes, there is another form of vision correction that often flies under the radar when considering this problem. Contact lenses are an effective solution that is used by millions of people across the country. However, it is important to remember that they can cause significant irritation and even infections.
As they cover the surface of the eye, contact lenses prevent oxygen flow – which is necessary for the eye to develop natural tears. This disruption to the tear film can increase the risk of dryness and infection. In fact, many people decide to ditch their contact lenses for this very reason.
The good news is that doing so doesn’t have to mean a return to the inconvenience of glasses. If your contact lenses are the cause of your dry eyes, you could still be suitable for Laser Eye Surgery once the problem has resolved.
When to see an eye doctor
If you regularly suffer from dry eyes, it can be tempting to put the problem down to screen fatigue or cold weather. But it is also important to seek help when necessary. These factors may well exacerbate dry eyes, but there may also be another cause to consider. Seeing an eye doctor can help you identify the cause of your dry eyes and implement any necessary changes to address the issue more effectively.
It may well be the case that your dry eyes are down to nothing more than a few too many glasses of wine, or an excessive Netflix binge; however, you may find that an underlying condition or a prescription medication is to blame. Figuring out the cause of your dry eyes can make it easier to manage your symptoms and maintain your overall eye health.
If you’d like to learn more about Laser Eye Surgery and Dry Eyes, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators – we’re always on hand to help! Alternatively, Book a Consultation today to find out if you could be suitable for treatment.