Whether you鈥檙e planning LASIK, PRK, or SMILE surgery, it鈥檚 important to understand one of the most common side effects: dry eye. Postoperative dryness can range from mild discomfort to a persistent condition that interferes with vision and quality of life.

In fact, research shows that up to 95% of patients experience dry eye symptoms immediately after LASIK, with about 40% still reporting symptoms six months later. For most, symptoms improve within a year, but proactive management before and after surgery can make a meaningful difference in outcomes.

What Causes Dry Eye After Refractive Surgery?

Laser vision correction changes the shape of your cornea to improve vision, but this process can also disturb the natural balance of your tear film. Here’s how:

• Corneal Nerve Disruption: Procedures like LASIK and PRK temporarily sever microscopic corneal nerves that signal the eye to produce tears.
• Reduced Blink Reflex: Some patients experience decreased blinking post-surgery, which increases evaporation of tears.
• Inflammation: The healing process triggers inflammation that can further destabilize the tear film.
• Surgical Techniques: LASIK involves creating a flap, which may contribute more to nerve disruption. SMILE, which uses a smaller incision, is associated with fewer dry eye symptoms.

Who鈥檚 at Higher Risk?

Certain patients are more likely to experience prolonged dry eye symptoms after refractive surgery. Risk factors include:

• Being female (especially post-menopausal)
• Age over 50
• High refractive corrections (i.e., large prescriptions)
• A history of dry eye disease (DED) before surgery
• Use of medications that reduce tear production, like antihistamines or antidepressants

That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 critical to have your ocular surface evaluated before surgery. Identifying and treating dry eye in advance improves the chances of full symptom resolution by the six-month mark.

Managing Dry Eye After Surgery: What Works

Fortunately, there are several highly effective strategies for treating dry eye symptoms following laser eye surgery. Your eye doctor may recommend a combination of therapies, depending on your symptom severity:

1. Non-Prescription and In-Office Options
   • Artificial tear drops and lubricating gels
   • Nighttime ointments to prevent tear evaporation while sleeping
   • Warm compresses and eyelid hygiene
   • Punctal plugs to block tear drainage and preserve natural moisture
   • LipiFlow or thermal pulsation therapy to restore oil layer of the tear film
2. Advanced or Prescription-Based Therapies
   • Prescription anti-inflammatory eye drops (e.g., cyclosporine or lifitegrast)
   • Autologous serum or plasma tears made from your own blood
   • Omega-3 fatty acid supplements to improve meibomian gland function
   • Lifestyle adjustments like using humidifiers, staying hydrated, and taking breaks from screens

Patients are also advised to avoid eye rubbing, wear sunglasses outdoors, and follow all post-operative instructions carefully to reduce inflammation and promote healing.

Is There an Alternative?

If you suffer from dry eye disease or have concerns about developing dry eye after LASIK or another surgery, you should know that you might have another option: vision correction surgery with the EVO Visian ICL Lens.

The EVO Visian ICL Lens (Implantable Collamer^鈸� Lens) is a different type of refractive procedure, and is often an option for patients at risk for dry eye or who are not candidates for LASIK and other refractive procedures. Unlike procedures that involve surgically reshaping the cornea, the EVO Visian ICL is an artificial lens that is implanted in the eye to correct common refractive errors like nearsightedness (myopia) and nearsightedness with astigmatism.

The EVO Visian ICL lens is crafted from a biocompatible material called Collamer, which works seamlessly with your eye. The EVO Visian ICL procedure does not lead to dry eye symptoms. Most patients experience significant vision improvement shortly after the procedure, which takes about 20 to 30 minutes. In fact, 99.4% of EVO patients report they would choose the procedure again. Unlike LASIK and other similar treatments, the EVO Visian ICL offers a removable option. If your prescription changes or you have new vision needs, your doctor can easily remove the lens

When to Talk to Your Surgeon

It鈥檚 normal to have dry eyes in the first few weeks after refractive surgery. But you should contact your eye doctor if:

• Symptoms worsen or don鈥檛 improve by the three- to six-month mark
• You experience persistent eye pain or burning
• Vision becomes blurry or fluctuates frequently
• You notice signs of infection like redness, discharge, or sensitivity to light

Persistent dry eye can lead to complications if left untreated, so it鈥檚 always better to seek help early.

Prevention Is Key

The best way to reduce your risk of dry eye after surgery is to treat existing dryness before your procedure and follow your doctor鈥檚 recovery plan closely. Most cases improve with time, but targeted therapy can shorten your recovery window and protect your long-term vision comfort.

FAQs on Dry Eyes After Laser Refractive Surgery

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What is Contact Lens Intolerance?

Contact lens intolerance is a general term used to describe pain, irritation, or discomfort experienced while wearing contact lenses. This can be an immediate reaction to wearing contacts, but it can also impact people who have been comfortably wearing contact lenses for months or even years. There are a number of potential causes of CLI, including:

鈼� Reaction to contact lens care products

鈼� Improper contact lens wearing regimen

鈼� Duration of lens wear

鈼� Dry eye²

鈼� Allergies

鈼� Diet & nutrition

鈼� Lens materials

鈼� Poor contact fit

Some people only experience occasional contact lens intolerance, while others encounter intolerance so severe that they simply can鈥檛 wear contact lenses anymore.^[2]

5 Ways to Relieve Contact Lens Intolerance

For most patients, contact lens intolerance is not a permanent situation. Still, we don鈥檛 want any of our patients to experience discomfort on their quest for clearer vision. If you struggle with contact lens intolerance that is especially uncomfortable or frequent, you should discuss the issue with one of our eye care professionals. In the meantime, though, there are some steps you can take to try to ease your discomfort.

5. Evaluate Wear and Care

For many of our patients, contact lens intolerance can be attributed to the products they use to care for their lenses. These products may contain preservatives that can cause hypersensitivity. If you have recently begun to struggle with CLI and have also switched to a different solution, that could be the culprit.

Other common sources of contact lens intolerance are sleeping in your lenses, wearing contacts for too long, or not making sure they are properly cleaned and disinfected every time you insert them. Make sure you always follow your doctor鈥檚 instructions when it comes to contact lens wear and care.

4. Lubricate Your Eyes

Sometimes, the source of contact lens intolerance is simply dryness. Try using over-the-counter artificial tears or lubricant eye drops indicated for use with contact lenses and see if that provides you with relief of CLI symptoms, if only temporarily.

3. Diet & Nutrition

Again, dry eye is a common source of contact lens intolerance. Did you know that your diet and nutritional habits may be impacting your tear production or the quality of your tears? Speak with your eye doctor to help identify ways supplementing your diet may help you produce more, quality tears to keep your eyes comfortable.

2. Switch to Glasses

If you suffer from frequent or long-term contact lens intolerance, you may need to consider switching to glasses, at least a few days a week. This could give your eyes a rest from contacts and help alleviate uncomfortable symptoms.

1. Vision Correction Surgery

Of course, the ideal way to ease your contact lens intolerance is to eliminate the need for any corrective lenses at all. At SightMD, we offer a range of vision correction surgical options, including LASIK, PRK and EVO Visian ICL Lenses. All of the vision correction options we offer have favorable safety profiles and are associated with a high rate of patient satisfaction, and we can have you enjoying clear鈥攁nd comfortable鈥攙ision soon after a procedure that is approximately 20-30 minutes.

^[1] American Refractive Surgery Council. Why contact lens wearers need their annual eye exam. Available: . Accessed March 29, 2021.

^[2] Dumbleton K, Caffery B, Dogru M, Hickson-Curran S, Kern J, Kojima T, Morgan PB, Purslow C, Robertson DM, Nelson JD; members of the TFOS International Workshop on Contact Lens Discomfort. The TFOS International Workshop on Contact Lens Discomfort: report of the subcommittee on epidemiology. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2013 Oct 18;54(11):TFOS20-36.

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Comparing LASIK, EVO Visian ICL, and PRK Recovery

The first thing to keep in mind is that every patient is unique and your individual experience with recovery after vision correction surgery may vary. You can increase your chances of a quick recovery and a good outcome by following all of your eye doctor鈥檚 postoperative instructions.

LASIK Recovery

LASIK laser vision correction surgery improves vision by reshaping the cornea. Immediately after surgery, patients often experience some discomfort, mild pain, and blurry vision; it is recommended that you take a few days off of work after LASIK.^[1] Your LASIK surgeon will advise you to avoid certain activities, such as strenuous exercise or swimming, for several weeks after your procedure.

EVO Visian ICL Recovery

EVO Visian ICL Implantable Collamer庐 Lens is an innovative vision correction procedure in which a biocompatible lens is implanted in the eye through a small opening in the cornea. EVO Visian ICL can improve moderate to severe myopia (prescription between 鈥�3D and 鈥�20D for nearsightedness) with up to 4.0D of astigmatism. EVO Visian ICL is often an option for many patients who are not candidates for LASIK due to thin corneas, high level prescriptions, or dry eye concerns.

Recovery after EVO Visian ICL is typically quick, with most patients resuming regular activities within days after the procedure. Patients love that there is minimal downtime needed and, unlike LASIK or PRK, EVO Visian ICL can be removed by your doctor, if needed.

PRK Recovery

PRK (Photo-Refractive Keratectomy)聽is often seen as a traditional LASIK alternative because it can be performed on patients who cannot have LASIK due to thin corneas. Like LASIK, vision improvement is achieved by permanently reshaping the cornea. The difference is that instead of using a laser to create a flap in the cornea, PRK removes the outermost layer of the cornea. Patients are required to wear a bandage contact lens to protect the eye for 3-5 days while the tissue grows back, during which they will likely experience some discomfort, and they will need to use eye drops for up to a month after surgery.

Important Safety Information

The Visian ICL and EVO Visian ICL lens is intended to correct/reduce nearsightedness between -3.0 up to -20.0 D and treat astigmatism from 1.0 D to 4.0 D. If you have nearsightedness within these ranges, Visian ICL and EVO Visian ICL surgery may improve your distance vision without eyeglasses or contact lenses. Because the Visian ICL and EVO Visian ICL corrects for distance vision, it does not eliminate the need for reading glasses, you may require them at some point, even if you have never worn them before. Since implantation of the Visian ICL and EVO Visian ICL is a surgical procedure, before considering Visian ICL and EVO Visian ICL surgery you should have a complete eye examination and talk with your eye care professional about Visian ICL and EVO Visian ICL surgery, especially the potential benefits, risks, and complications. You should discuss the time needed for healing after surgery. Complications, although rare, may include need for additional surgical procedures, inflammation, loss of cells from the back surface of the cornea, increase in eye pressure, and cataracts. You should NOT have Visian ICL and EVO Visian ICL surgery if your doctor determines that 1) the shape of your eye is not appropriate, 2) you do not meet the minimum endothelial cell density for your age at the time of implantation, or 3) your vision is not stable; or if you are pregnant or nursing.

^[1] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. LASIK: What should I expect before, during, and after surgery? Available:  Accessed March 29, 2021

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At SightMD, we have seen first-hand how life-changing vision correction surgery can be. Procedures like EVO Visian ICL Lens, LASIK, and PRK can help our patients free themselves from glasses or contact lenses and enjoy clear vision. That said, we鈥檝e also seen our fair share of anxious patients, and each member of our team is dedicated to ensuring that your vision correction experience is as comfortable as possible.

Facts About Vision Correction Surgery

In our experience, many patients鈥� eye surgery fears have to do with the unknown鈥攁n educated patient is far less likely to fear vision correction surgery. To help you feel more comfortable while considering vision correction surgery, we鈥檝e compiled some of the top vision correction surgery fears/myths we have encountered amongst our patients and the facts that help reduce their anxieties. 

Fear #1: This is a new and risky procedure.

Actually, the first laser vision correction surgery was performed more than three decades ago, and technological advances have made these procedures low risk. Vision correction surgeries are amongst the most frequently performed procedures, with roughly 800,000 performed each year in the United States.^[1] ICL procedures also have a very long, successful, and low-risk history. The first ICL surgeries were performed nearly 30 years ago, in 1993. ICL has been approved in the European Union since 1997, and more than 1 million ICLs have been implanted. In a survey, 99.4% of patients that have had the EVO Visian ICL procedure said they would have the procedure again.^[2] The popularity of these procedures is due in large part to their effectiveness and low risk profile.

Fear # 2: Vision correction surgery is painful.

We will apply anesthetic eye drops before your procedure, so your eyes will be numb. The vast majority of our patients report that the procedure was much easier than they expected, and that they only felt a sensation of pressure for a few moments.

Fear #3: I could mess the procedure up if I blink my eyes.

It is not possible for you to 鈥渕ess up鈥� your vision correction surgery by blinking. Once your eyes have been fully numbed, your natural urge to blink diminishes. We will also apply a special device that will hold your eyelids open, so blinking will never be an issue you need to worry about. 

Fear #4: I don鈥檛 like the idea of being awake during eye surgery.

It is natural to feel anxious at the thought of being awake during eye surgery. However, vision correction surgery takes between approximately 20 to 30 minutes per procedure, and your eyes will be fully numb for the duration of your procedure. You should feel no pain and will not need to be concerned about not blinking or not moving your eyes, and being awake will allow you to interact with your surgeon, if needed. If you still feel nervous about being awake during your procedure, please let us know: we can give you an oral sedative to help you stay calm and relaxed. 

Fear #5: I could go blind after vision correction surgery.

Having concerns about the safety of refractive surgery is normal. While all surgical procedures involve some risk, the US FDA has reviewed the data related to the devices and procedures used for refractive surgery and determined they are reasonably safe and effective.^[3],[4] In fact, the risk of losing vision due to a complication of refractive surgery is less than 1%.^[5]

Contact SightMD

If you have a fear of eye surgery that is preventing you from pursuing a vision correction procedure, the best thing you can do is be honest about your apprehensions with us. We have guided countless patients through eye surgery, and will take extra care to make sure that you fully understand what you can expect and that you feel calm and comfortable during every step of your procedure. For more information on vision correction surgery, we invite you to contact us today. A friendly member of our team will be happy to help you schedule a consultation with a highly experienced eye doctor so that you can learn more about our practice and the options available to you.

Important Safety Information

The Visian ICL and EVO Visian ICL lens is intended to correct/reduce nearsightedness between -3.0 up to -20.0 D and treat astigmatism from 1.0 D to 4.0 D. If you have nearsightedness within these ranges, Visian ICL and EVO Visian ICL surgery may improve your distance vision without eyeglasses or contact lenses. Because the Visian ICL and EVO Visian ICL corrects for distance vision, it does not eliminate the need for reading glasses, you may require them at some point, even if you have never worn them before. Since implantation of the Visian ICL and EVO Visian ICL is a surgical procedure, before considering Visian ICL and EVO Visian ICL surgery you should have a complete eye examination and talk with your eye care professional about Visian ICL and EVO Visian ICL surgery, especially the potential benefits, risks, and complications. You should discuss the time needed for healing after surgery. Complications, although rare, may include need for additional surgical procedures, inflammation, loss of cells from the back surface of the cornea, increase in eye pressure, and cataracts. You should NOT have Visian ICL and EVO Visian ICL surgery if your doctor determines that 1) the shape of your eye is not appropriate, 2) you do not meet the minimum endothelial cell density for your age at the time of implantation, or 3) your vision is not stable; or if you are pregnant or nursing.

For additional information with potential benefits, risks and complications please visit DiscoverICL.com

^[1]聽Packer M. The Implantable Collamer Lens with a central port: review of the literature. Clinical Ophthalmology. 2018: 12: 2427鈥�2438

^[2]聽American Refractive Surgery Council. Is PRK Safe? Available:聽. Accessed April 6, 2021.

^[3]聽Staar Surgical. Visian ICL Safety Information. Available:聽. Accessed April 6, 2021.

^[4]聽American Refractive Surgery Council. Is LASIK Safe? What You Need to Know. April 21, 2016. Available at:聽. Accessed March 9, 2021.

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At our eye care practice, we take pride in offering you a variety of advanced vision correction options so we can find the best vision solution for you. We are excited to announce that the EVO Visian ICL Lens, which earned FDA approval in the United States on March 25, 2022 is now available for our patients in at SightMd in Rockville Centre

What is the EVO Visian ICL Lens?

EVO Visian ICL is an Implantable Collamer^庐 Lens that is designed to give you crisp, clear vision.^1-4 Like LASIK or PRK, EVO Visian ICL is a refractive surgery that can correct nearsightedness (myopia) with or without astigmatism. What sets ICL apart is that it can correct a high range of myopia without removing any corneal tissue or contributing to dry eye syndrome.⁵

The EVO Visian ICL Lens is made of Collamer, a biocompatible material that is flexible and works in harmony with your eye. The lens is implanted in a 20 to 30 minute procedure and patients typically enjoy a quick recovery time.

Benefits of the EVO Visian ICL Lens

鈼� Can correct/reduce nearsightedness for a wide range of vision, including patients with prescriptions up to -20 diopters and astigmatism up to 4.0 D.

鈼� Provides excellent night vision^4,6

鈼� Suitable for patients with dry eye concerns⁵

鈼� Great for patients with thin corneas, who may not be candidates for other vision correction procedures

鈼� Designed for permanent vision correction, but removable by your doctor and upgradable, if needed

鈼� Has natural UV protection

鈼� Once in place, you will not be able to feel or see the lens

鈼� 20 to 30 minute procedure with quick recovery

Is the EVO Visian ICL the Right Vision Correction Option for You?

If you are seeking freedom from glasses or contact lenses, the EVO Visian ICL may be right for you. Ideal candidates are:

鈼� Between the ages of 21 and 45

鈼� Seeking treatment for nearsightedness (with or without astigmatism)

鈼� Stable in their current prescription for at least one year

鈼� Not currently pregnant or nursing

Contact Us

Interested in learning more about vision correction with the EVO Visian ICL Lens? A consultation appointment is the best way to decide if it is right for you and to get answers to any questions you have about achieving your best possible vision without glasses or contact lenses. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!

References: (1) Sanders D, Vukich J. Comparison of implantable collamer lens (ICL) and laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for Low Myopia. Cornea. 2006. (2) Shin J, et al. Comparison of higher order aberrations after implantable Collamer lens implantation and wavefront-guide LASEK in high myopia. J Refract Surg. 2012; 28(2): 106-111. (3) Igarashi A, et al. Visual Performance after implantable Collamer lens implantation and wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis for high myopia. Am J Opthalmol. 2009. (4) Mart铆nez-Plazs E, L贸pez-Miguel A, L贸pez-De La Rosa A, et al. Effect of the EVO+ Visian Phakic Implantable Collamer Lens on Visual Performance and Quality of Vision and Life, Am J Ophthalmol 2021;226: 117鈥�125. (5) Naves J, et al.. Diadenosine nucleotide measurements as dry-eye score in patients after LASIK and ICL surgery. Presented at American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) 2012. (6) Parkhurst G. A prospective comparison of phakic Collamer lenses and wavefront-optimized laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis for correction of myopia. Clinical Ophthalmology. 2016.

Important Safety Information

The Visian ICL and EVO Visian ICL lens is intended to correct/reduce nearsightedness between -3.0 up to -20.0 D and treat astigmatism from 1.0 D to 4.0 D. If you have nearsightedness within these ranges, Visian ICL and EVO Visian ICL surgery may improve your distance vision without eyeglasses or contact lenses. Because the Visian ICL and EVO Visian ICL corrects for distance vision, it does not eliminate the need for reading glasses, you may require them at some point, even if you have never worn them before. Since implantation of the Visian ICL and EVO Visian ICL is a surgical procedure, before considering Visian ICL and EVO Visian ICL surgery you should have a complete eye examination and talk with your eye care professional about Visian ICL and EVO Visian ICL surgery, especially the potential benefits, risks, and complications. You should discuss the time needed for healing after surgery. Complications, although rare, may include need for additional surgical procedures, inflammation, loss of cells from the back surface of the cornea, increase in eye pressure, and cataracts. You should NOT have Visian ICL and EVO Visian ICL surgery if your doctor determines that 1) the shape of your eye is not appropriate, 2) you do not meet the minimum endothelial cell density for your age at the time of implantation, or 3) your vision is not stable; or if you are pregnant or nursing.

For additional information with potential benefits, risks and complications please visit DiscoverICL.com

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