What should I do, Contoura Vision or Relex Smile, when having dry eyes?

If you really have dry eyes, it is probably not a good idea to have either one done -or PRK or any other kind of LASIK either.

Dry Eye is by far the most common undesirable side-effect with any laser vision correction. It is rarely more than a temporary issue in most people and usually treatable with artificial tears. BUT, it can occasionally be quite severe and even cause permanent problems with your vision.

Some clinics promote SMILE and other recent variations of laser vision correction as less likely to cause Dry Eye than other types of LASIK. But studies and actual clinical experience have not supported that conclusion. Anatomically, any laser vision correction will necessarily damage sensory corneal nerves that mediate the tear reflex from the lacrimal glands.

You might want to investigate the ICL, an alternative to laser vision correction for nearsightedness and astigmatism. While the ICL has its own risks, dry eye is not one of them because the procedure does not involve the cornea.

_Written by J. Trevor Woodhams, M.D. - Chief of Surgery, Woodhams Eye Clinic