Corneal refractive surgery-related dry eye: risk factors and management

Dry eye is the most common post-operative complication in patients who undergo laserassisted in situ keratomileusis and other photorefractive procedures. Epidemiological studies have found that almost all patients experience some form of dry-eye-related discomfort in the post-operative period. This review seeks primarily to identify patient factors, which predispose to this complication, as well as outline the possible interventions clinicians can consider to avoid, prevent and treat this complication. Numerous pre-,intra-and postoperative guidelines are provided. The ideal method of post-laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis dry eye prevention is a meticulous peri-operative management plan, as opposed to post-operative management alone. Newer modalities of photorefractive surgery may have differing effects on the ocular surface.