Can you have lifestyle cataract surgery if you have dry eyes?

Are you struggling with daily discomfort from dry eyes and seeking a solution? Dry eye is a common ocular condition that affects a large portion of the general population.

For some patients, dry eye symptoms are temporary, but for the majority, it becomes a chronic and long-standing condition. We give special attention to dry eye when assessing patients seeking surgical treatment as it affects the eye’s surface and cornea, leading to decreased vision clarity and difficulty focusing in different light levels.

Dryness also has a refractive effect on the eye and can impact light refraction from the front of the eye to the retina. This is why we consider dryness when planning for surgery as it increases the risk of infections post-op.

There are many factors that contribute to dryness, and our first approach is to treat it in advance to prepare for surgery. Unfortunately, some patients may need to treat dry eyes for several months before proceeding with surgery to increase safety and ensure the best possible outcome.

We aim to educate you on how to control dry eye symptoms during the assessment and throughout your surgical journey. After surgery, dryness of the ocular surface always increases, and patients who had dry eyes prior to surgery may experience prolonged symptoms. This is a common condition and we will guide you through your journey to help you have a smooth experience and achieve the best visual result.

If you are considering cataract surgery and have concerns about choosing treatment or finding the right clinic, please provide us with your contact information, and we will send you a short guide on the procedure. We will also explain how to avoid common mistakes made during the cataract surgery decision-making process.