Excessive Tearing

It is not uncommon to experience excessive tearing after having a LASIK procedure. Excessive tears are the result of the lacrimal gland not functioning properly. Whenever you blink, the eyelid provides moisture to encompass the eye. A wet eye is a healthy eye. The lacrimal gland, when functioning properly, produces enough moisture to keep the eye wet. The lacrimal duct is located on the inside corner of the eye where the nose starts to form. This condition is referred to as Lacrimal Drainage Dacryocystorhinostomy DCR.

There are numerous eye conditions that are resolved by LASIK and there are a few that may increase your risk of experiencing excessive tearing such as those with hyperopia and presbyopia sufferer. Many people who wore contact lenses before their surgery and people who suffer from insomnia are more apt to experience an over production of tears. The symptoms may have originally presented themselves as dry eyes because there was irritation from inadequate tear production and the body tries to over compensate by over producing tears after the procedure.

Symptoms of excessive tearing are chronic reddening of the eyes, swelling in the eye area, excessive tearing, pain and infection.

Ignoring a problem with excessive tearing can lead to infection. Infections of the eye, if they are left untreated, can cause severe damage to the nerves of the eye and vision loss as well. And it will render your LASIK ineffective. Consult with your eye doctor for the proper recourse and treatment.

Before you leave after your LASIK procedure, your doctor will examine your eye and they may also prescribe some antibiotic eye drops as well. The doctor may also tell you to massage the tear duct along your eye and nose to help prevent blockage.

In order to help prevent this side effect from occurring post op after LASIK, doctors often prescribe some basic care instructions for you to follow. These after procedure instructions include:

• Do not rub your eye. If you have to rub or touch your eye do so with a soft piece of tissue lightly. Avoid swimming for one to two weeks after the procedure until l you have received the doctor's approval.
• Do not allow water from showers or any type of splashing get onto the eye for a week after the surgery. Your cornea still needs to completely close and heal. This will prevent infection.
• Do not use any eye makeup until you have your doctor's approval. This includes mascara and eye liner.
• Use the natural tear solution that is provided as often as you like to relieve the discomfort you be feeling from the LASIK. It is important to keep the eyes lubricated and comfortable with the prescribed solution.