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What Causes Dryness Of Eyes After A PRK Surgery?
Question: My wife is 31 yrs old. PRK surgery was done to my wife 9 months back. But she has dryness problem now. Her eyes seem to be sticky during night. She could not open her eyes when she tries to wake up during night sleep or in the morning. It is paining very much and then tears are coming continuously. She was using refresh tears drops n gel drops too for 7 months and now stopped. she has got this problem after the surgery only. What is the cause of this dryness? Is this because of that PRK surgery? How to get rid of this problem? Is this permanent? Does it cause any other prbms in eyes or does it affect eyes in any other way?
Brief Answer:
It seems like dryeye caused by surgery.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to health care magic
I am Dr. Dadapeer K, an ophthalmologist and I answer health problems related to eye.
It seems from the history that your wife has undergone PRK surgery 9 months back and she is having dryness of eyes following surgery.
The dryness of eyes is commonly expected following refractive surgeries and because of this artificial tears are advised in the post operative period for 3-6 months.
Most of dry eyes following refractive surgeries will resolve by 6 months.
Sometimes it can take up to 12-15 months to resolve.
This is usually caused by surgery induced damage to the corneal nerves which will cause reflex decrease in the tear secretion resulting in dry eyes. As the cornea heals and nerves regrow the problem will decrease and disappear slowly.
No need to worry as this is not a permanent problem, only thing it takes time.
The treatment is by use of artificial tears eye drops.
If the condition is not responding to use of these artificial tears like refresh tears puntal plugs for temporary occlusion of pun tum can be considered.
Since she is also having stickiness and pain in the eyes infection like conjunctivitis needs to be ruled out.
Hence I advice you to consult your doctor for examination to confirm the diagnosis of dry eyes and treatment accordingly.
Do get back to me with examination report.
As of now she needs to use artificial tears more frequently.
Hope the information is helpful to you.
Thank you
It seems like dryeye caused by surgery.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to health care magic
I am Dr. Dadapeer K, an ophthalmologist and I answer health problems related to eye.
It seems from the history that your wife has undergone PRK surgery 9 months back and she is having dryness of eyes following surgery.
The dryness of eyes is commonly expected following refractive surgeries and because of this artificial tears are advised in the post operative period for 3-6 months.
Most of dry eyes following refractive surgeries will resolve by 6 months.
Sometimes it can take up to 12-15 months to resolve.
This is usually caused by surgery induced damage to the corneal nerves which will cause reflex decrease in the tear secretion resulting in dry eyes. As the cornea heals and nerves regrow the problem will decrease and disappear slowly.
No need to worry as this is not a permanent problem, only thing it takes time.
The treatment is by use of artificial tears eye drops.
If the condition is not responding to use of these artificial tears like refresh tears puntal plugs for temporary occlusion of pun tum can be considered.
Since she is also having stickiness and pain in the eyes infection like conjunctivitis needs to be ruled out.
Hence I advice you to consult your doctor for examination to confirm the diagnosis of dry eyes and treatment accordingly.
Do get back to me with examination report.
As of now she needs to use artificial tears more frequently.
Hope the information is helpful to you.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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