I am 25, female. Are my dry eyes due to LASIK treatment?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 25-year-old female. I had undergone myopia correction surgery (LASIK) some eight months ago. The surgery was successful and the ophthalmologist said my vision was at 100%. Before that, I had used glasses since I was 12 for myopia and astigmatism.

My myopia kept evolving and I had to wait until it was stable enough to perform the surgery. I am not sure if this is relevant but both my parents wear glasses for myopia and now for presbyopia as well since they are in their 50s but my 16-year-old younger brother does not wear glasses.

However, for my new job, I spend eight hours a day in front of a computer plus it has a lot of white bright lighting. Sometimes at the end of the day, my eyes feel tired and dry. I even put lubricant drops throughout the day but still, they get dry. I am afraid that because of that my myopia will come back.

So, I thought I could use reading glasses while I am on the computer to help prevent it and filter the blue light from the screen. Do you think that is beneficial or it would be a waste of money? Is there any evidence that reading glasses help prevent reoccurrence of myopia? Of note, in the past I have been on Sertraline 50 mg one pill a day, Alprazolam 0.25 mg one pill a day, Sodic Levothyroxine 125 mcg one pill a day, and an oral contraceptive.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

There are three reasons for your dry eyes. Firstly your continuous work at computers known as computer vision syndrome. LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis), commonly referred to as laser eye surgery can cause dry eyes. Lastly, Tablet Sertraline can cause dry eye for computer vision syndrome.

The display of your screen should have a good resolution. For example, a retina display and the height of the screen should be just below the eye level. Every 20 minutes move your eye from the screen and gaze at an object as far as possible for 20 seconds and then get back to work. Blink your eyes for at least 15 to 20 times per minute. Make a rule that whenever you click on a mouse you need to blink. Take a break every 45 minutes for five minutes. Use your lubricant four to six times a day and whenever your eyes feel tiredThe light in your room should come from behind your head and not in front of you.

As long as the reading glasses are concerned, use at work if you have a refractive error. These steps will definitely give you relief.

I hope this has helped you.

Please feel free to reach out to me again for further queries.

Thank you.