What To Do If You Experience Dry Eyes After LASIK

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Posted by: Missouri Eye Institute in LASIK on August 7, 2026

You had LASIK eye surgery to leave glasses and contacts behind, and now your eyes feel dry, gritty, or a little scratchy. This is one of the most common experiences patients report in the weeks after surgery, and in most cases, it is a normal part of healing rather than a sign that something has gone wrong. Knowing why it happens and what to do about it can make the recovery period far more comfortable.

Why Are My Eyes Dry After LASIK?

During LASIK, your surgeon creates a thin flap in the cornea to reshape the tissue underneath. Making that flap temporarily interrupts some of the tiny corneal nerves that tell your brain when your eyes need more tears. Until those nerves recover, your eyes may not produce tears as readily as they used to, which leaves the surface feeling dry.

The sensation can range from mild grittiness to a feeling like there is an eyelash caught in your eye, and some patients also notice their eyes watering more than usual as the tear system tries to compensate. For most people, tear production steadily returns as the cornea heals over the following weeks and months. Patients who had dry eye before surgery may notice the symptoms a little more during this phase, which is one reason your surgeon screens for it beforehand.

How to Relieve Dry Eye Symptoms While You Heal

The habits that support a smooth recovery from LASIK are also the ones that keep dryness in check.

A few simple steps make a real difference:

• Use the lubricating drops your surgeon prescribes exactly as directed, even on days your eyes feel fine.
• Resist the urge to rub your eyes, since rubbing can disturb the healing flap.
• Blink often and take breaks from screens, which tend to slow your blink rate.
• Stay hydrated and use a humidifier if the air in your home is dry.

Protecting your eyes from wind, dust, and bright sunlight also helps during the early healing window. Wraparound sunglasses shield the surface from irritants and reduce the evaporation that makes dryness worse.

If you work at a computer, following the practice of looking away from your screen periodically gives your eyes a chance to rest and reset their tear film.

When Dry Eye After LASIK Needs More Attention

Temporary dryness usually eases within a few weeks and continues to improve over several months. If your symptoms linger well beyond that timeline, feel severe, or start to blur your vision, it is worth a call to your eye doctor. Persistent dryness sometimes points to an underlying condition that was present before surgery and became more noticeable afterward.

One common culprit is meibomian gland dysfunction, in which the glands along the edge of your eyelids stop producing enough of the oil that keeps tears from evaporating too quickly. When that is the source of the problem, drops alone often are not enough.

Missouri Eye Institute offers one of the most comprehensive dry eye programs in the area, including in-office treatments that address the root cause rather than just masking symptoms. These advanced dry eye treatments can provide longer-lasting relief than at-home remedies for patients whose dryness does not resolve on its own.

 With more than 30 years of experience and locations in Springfield, Branson, and Joplin, the team can evaluate your tear film and build a plan that fits your healing.

Are you experiencing dry eyes after LASIK? Schedule an appointment at Missouri Eye Institute in Springfield, MO, today.

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