How can I treat my red and inflamed inner eyelids before LASIK?

Doctor's Answers 2

It seems like you are having some symptoms suggestive of inflammation around the surface of the eye. This could be due to dry eye, blepharitis or allergic conjunctivitis, to name a few possibilities. It would be best to seek the opinion of an ophthalmologist who would be able to conduct a thorough exam of your eyes and direct the right treatment for your symptoms.

With regards to blepharitis, it is true that warm compresses can be helpful. However, often times chronic cases may require medication in the form of topical antibiotic and steroids. Best to seek the opinion of an ophthalmologist to know what treatment is required in your case.

there are several possibilities for the problem you mention ie redness and slight swelling just on the inner part of the under surface of the eyelids.

It may be nothing pathological (sometimes certain parts of the eyes/eyelids may look a bit redder but be normal), or it may be issues like dryness or eyelid inflammation/blepharitis.

Without knowing what the problem is for sure, it is difficult to know what else to do to make it better.

If you are intending to go for LASIK eventually, I would suggest you pay a visit to a doctor who also performs LASIK and seek his/her advice, including about your eligibility and whether any pre-treatment of your eyes/eyelids is necessary.

Similar Questions

Is LASIK still suitable for me if I have dry and sensitive eyes? Will it cause even worse dryness?

Current options available for laser vision correction include corneal flap-based procedures like LASIK, and also no flap, Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA) methods like TransPRK. During LASIK, the doctor will have to cut your cornea to create an external flap using either a blade or a Femtosecond laser (bladeless LASIK). Whether using a blade or the laser, there will still be a cut corneal flap and this will result in cut corneal nerve endings, increasing the risk of procedure-induced dry eyes. This, together with flap complications, are the main disadvantages of LASIK.

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Answered By

Dr Tony Ho

Ophthalmologist

What should I do next for severe dry eyes after LASIK?

Dry eye is indeed one of the common post-LASIK side effects. For the vast majority of patients, the dryness does tend to taper off and get better and better months after the procedure. However, it seems like you are still experiencing rather severe symptoms of dryness despite being diligent in using your lubricating eyedrops and gel. Apart from monitoring your symptoms and continuing the usage of your eyedrops and gel, you may also want to assess your environment and work habits.

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