Dry eye after LASIK enhancement by flap lifting

PURPOSE: To determine whether dry eye after LASIK recurs after LASIK enhancement. METHODS: A total of 63 eyes of 42 patients who underwent LASIK enhancement were included in this study. Subjective dry eye symptoms, tear break-up time (BUT), Schirmer test with anesthesia, fluorescein staining of the cornea, and corneal sensitivity were evaluated before and at 1, 3, and 6 months after enhancement. RESULTS: The subjective dry eye symptoms remained unchanged before and after LASIK enhancement. Similarly, Schirmer values and tear BUT did not exhibit statistically significant differences between the pre- and post-enhancement values. Compared with the pre-enhancement values, the fluorescein score was higher at 1 month after surgery and further improved at 3 months. In comparison with the pre-enhancement values, the corneal sensitivity was decreased at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Patients did not complain of dry eye symptoms and tear functions were not compromised after LASIK enhancement. These results suggest that factors other than the neurotrophic effect may contribute to dry eye after LASIK.