Patient-Reported Dry Eye Symptoms Improve Six Months post FS-LASIK

In a recent study, Sloan Rush and colleagues patient-reported dry eye symptoms show a notable improvement six months after the femtosecond LASIK (FS-LASIK) for myopia, despite the lack of significant changes in objective dry eye measurements. The findings of the study were published in Clinical Ophthalmology.

To assess the impact of FS-LASIK on dry eye symptoms, the researchers enrolled 40 patients who underwent bilateral myopic FS-LASIK. The patients were asked to complete a standardized Dry Eye Symptom Index survey both before the treatment and at the six-month mark post-surgery. This survey utilized an analog scoring system ranging from 1 to 5, with 5 representing the most severe symptoms. Additionally, objective measurements such as the objective scatter index (OSI), tear film osmolarity (TFO), and automated tear break-up times (TBUT) were recorded for each patient.

The results of the study demonstrated a significant improvement in patient-reported dry eye symptoms. Prior to FS-LASIK, the Dry Eye Symptom Index score averaged 2.3 (with 95% Confidence Intervals between 2.0 and 2.6). However, at the six-month follow-up, this score had notably decreased to 1.3 (with 95% Confidence Intervals between 1.0 and 1.5), signifying a substantial amelioration in dry eye symptoms. The statistical analysis confirmed that this improvement was highly significant (p < 0.0001).