Dr. Boothe
What may be surprising to learn is that the degree of dryness experienced by a patient is markedly affected by the methods used to create the flap. In our experience, as well as in many carefully controlled clinical studies, use of the mechanical bladed microkeratome is responsible for a significant amount of dry eye symptoms. With the microkeratome, not only do a high percentage of patients experience dry eye, many of those patients experience severe dry eye.
Severe dry eye can require the doctor to physically insert tiny plugs into the patients tear duct system to block the exit of tears from the eye or even necessitate the use of expensive prescription eye drops or oral supplements designed to stimulate tear production.
