9 weeks after LASIK I have blepharitis. What causes this and will it go away? Is a hot compress on the eyelids safe?

Question

Hello, I had LASIK 9 weeks ago and the doctor told me that I have blepharitis. I have never had that before (I read a lot of similar cases). What in lasik surgery, can cause this ? Could this be that during the operation, my glands were "crunched" by the opening tool ? Caused by the dryness that followed ? Will this disappear with time, and if so, how can I actually tell that it's gone ? Also, is it totally safe for my operated eyes to apply hot compresses on the lids ?

Samuel Baharestani, MD, FACS · Answer

Blepharitis and LASIK are completely unrelated.  In fact, blepharitis is one of the most common conditions around the eyelids and can be asymptomatic.  Sometimes, the eyelid can become inflamed and the oil glands of the lids can become blocked.  When this occurs, the tears that are produced are not of great quality and may contribute to dry eyes.  Usually, simple home remedies can improve blepharitis and your surgeon should be able to advice you on what is and is not safe after your laser vision correction.  Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Martin L. Fox, MD · Answer

Your blepharitis is totally unrelated to the LASIK procedure and was likely present although asymptomatic prior to surgery. This is a condition in which the meibomian glands located in the lid margin become swollen or obstructed due to bacterial presence. These glands contribute to the tear film and therefore your condition can have an adverse effect on your tear film quality which could cause or exacerbate dry eye symptoms. Treatment usually consist of hot applications and the use of a topical antibiotic. Your prior LASIK surgery should noyt be an issue in such treatment.

9 weeks after LASIK I have blepharitis. What causes this and will it go away? Is a hot compress on the eyelids safe?

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9 weeks after LASIK I have blepharitis. What causes this and will it go away? Is a hot compress on the eyelids safe?

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Everything you need to know about LASIK

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.