Is it normal to feel like something is in your eye after Lasik surgery?

Question

Hello, I have had an eye laser surgery 6 days ago and my vision was perfect until today's morning. When I woke up one of my eyes was very irritated and it still feels like there is something which makes my vision blurry. I am worried as everything was perfectly fine until today, is that normal?

Jay Bansal, MD · Answer

Irritation, grittiness, and foreign body sensation are normal after LASIK. These symptoms usually indicate dryness. Using preservative free tears every 2 hours, taking breaks in front of the computer, and consuming Omega 3s can help with the comfort. If the symptoms don't improve or if you are experiencing pain or light sensitivity, see your doctor to ensure that you are healing properly.

Ahad Mahootchi, MD · Answer

The eyes can be and feel dry with foreign body sensation after LASIK. I usually start Thera-tears for a month before my surgeries but for you starting preservative free tears 4-6 times a day is a good idea. Another treatment for tough cases is autologous unfrozen serum drops. I think they work better than the usual prescription drops. Another cause is the medication used afterwards. Some drop and some generic substitutes have lots of preservative that can make the eye dry. You can't just stop your medications but ask you doctor to look at the actual bottles you have.

Brad Kligman, MD · Answer

The short answer is yes, it is normal to have some "foreign body sensation" in one or both of the eyes during the first week after cataract surgery.  This sensation is typically either the flap settling into place or some dryness which commonly increases for the first 1 week to few months after LASIK before returning to normal.  I would typically recommend trying some preservative-free artificial tears 3-4 times per day.  If it is not improving within a day or two, make sure to schedule an appointment with your LASIK surgeon to make sure that everything is healing properly.

Is it normal to feel like something is in your eye after Lasik surgery?

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Is it normal to feel like something is in your eye after Lasik surgery?

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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.