Postrefractive surgery dry eye.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To report the recently published literature on ocular surface changes after refractive surgery, as well as the outcomes of treatment modalities on postrefractive surgery dry eye.

RECENT FINDINGS: Cyclosporine, the first US Food and Drug Administration approved agent to treat the underlying pathological mechanism of chronic dry eye, has demonstrated promising results in dry eye patients. Further, there may be an additive effect of topical cyclosporine and punctal occlusion. Femtosecond lasers for corneal flaps in laser in-situ keratomileusis seem to induce fewer signs and symptoms of dry eye and may be attributed to the creation of thinner flaps.

SUMMARY: Dry eye is one of the most common complications after photorefractive keratectomy and laser in-situ keratomileusis. Keratorefractive surgery is known to cause damage to the corneal sensory nerves. Several studies have demonstrated a decrease in corneal sensation, tear secretion, and tear film stability several months after keratorefractive surgery. For patients with preoperative dry eye, the ocular surface must be treated accordingly prior to surgery.