Dry eye with bladeless lasik and cataract surgery
Dry eye is a wide scale problem in our population. As we age, the ocular surface tends to become less vital and less stable. This is particularly true in postmenopausal females and those with certain skin conditions like rosacea and with certain medications. Winter is worse for dry eye patients because there is less humidity in the air making the ocular surface dry. Dr. Jeffrey Martin and Dr. Lawrence Zweibel of North Shore Eye Care in Smithtown New York serving surrounding areas such as Huntington, Commack, Northport, Setauket, Stony Brook, Port Jefferson, Dix Hills, St. James, Kings Park, Fort Salonga, Centereach, and Selden specialize in ocular surface dry eye. Women using certain night creams can suffer from ocular surface irritation as well as those sleeping on a pillow that they are sensitve to. It is important to make your life as hypoallergenic as possible including reducing exposure to certain animals, fragrances such as plug in air fresheners or scented candles as well as perfumes and scented soaps. Most people with significant dry eye with inflammation have already adjusted their life to some degree, many without knowing it. At our Long Island New York practice serving Suffolk and Nassau Counties, we are always on the look out for symptoms of dry eye including reflex tearing, foreign body sensation, redness, decreased reading stamina, visual blur with concentration, and others.
When cataract surgery becomes necessary as we age, Dr. Martin and Dr. Zweibel always evaluate the ocular surface. Using premium intraocular lenses such as multifocal and accommodating implants like restor, rezoom, and crystalens, it is important to optimize the ocular surface for optimal results. This may mean limiting irritating substances, it may mean artificial tears, punctal plugs, or restasis. Restasis is a wonderful dry eye medication that also reduces inflammation. Even with our quick cataract surgery with no needles, stiches or patching, dry eye can become worse temporarily.
When lasik laser vision correction is your procedure of choice, we also carefully look for dry eye. After any eye surgery, even bladeless custom lasik, ilasik, lasek, prk, advanced surface ablation or epilasik, the ocular surface is going to be dry and inflammed to some degree following surgery. Even though we only do blade-free procedures which is best for the ocular surface, Dr. Martin and Dr. Zweibel are still in tune with any dry eye or inflammation. When we switched from blade lasik to bladeless lasik years ago, we saw a dramatic decrease in dry eye symptoms. Still, even with the most cutting edge procedures, many of our patients need artificial tears, punctal plugs or restasis.
When it comes to lasik, bladeless custom lasik or advanced cataract surgery, come find out why the "Top Doctors" as voted by Castle Connolly ltd. are best for your total eye care.