Can dry eye sensation due to eye strain

[taurus1203]

I had a RD surgery on my left eye 9 months ago. I always have dry sensation on this eye. I feel dry 15 minutes after I have an artificial drop. A few months ago, I put 15 to 20 drops per day.
A few doctors examined my eye and told me it is only a little bit dry but not that serious. They think this may be a sensation. I try to ignore this dry sensation and put artificial drop 3 to 4 times a day.  Is it possible that the sensation is due to eye strain caused by the vision imbalance between the 2 eyes ?

I am also planning for a cataract surgery. How common a cataract surgery will cause dry eye problem or make it even worse ?

Thanks

[des900]

tear plug on a temporary basis will not create big problems like eye infections provided you take good care of eyes like eye lid cleaning using diluted baby shampoo to cleanse out any greasy material, dust accumulated in eye during day, night etc as these are normally drained by his tiny holes to some extent.

[taurus1203]

Dr Hagan,
Can you advise the chance of have infection with putting a plug ?
Thanks

[des900]

Blocking tear ducts surely can bring up new problems like infections,eye irritation etc

Everything in body have some functions whether small or big and any disruption will eventually bring up new problems.

[taurus1203]

I forget to ask one more question. Is it normal only blocking one eye ?
Thanks a lot

[taurus1203]

I have an appointment with my eye doctor next week.
I think I would go the plug option. I am trying to block one tear duct.
What could be the downside for the plug option comparing to the Restasis ?
Is there any side effect with put a plug ?

[taurus1203]

Dr Hagan,
Thanks for your explanation. What you mentioned is exactly I am thinking ? But when I talk to my retinal surgeon and other eye doctors, they just said dry eye is normal after the RD surgery and didn't explain any more detail. The eyelid of my surgery eye is a bit droopy and I also suspect the non-smooth movement cause the dryness.
Is a droopy eye can only be fixed by surgery ?

Is Restasis be generally used for dry eye or only for dry eye with a certain of inflammation ?

Thanks again.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

I have had some patients develop dry eye after RD surgery and I think some of it is due to the scleral buckle and altered limbal anatomy creating mechanical interference with the lid smoothly and evenly moving over the cornea.

Regardless the treatment would be as for any other dry eye. Go to Dr. hagan's blog and read about the treatment of dry eyes. If drops, gels, ointments are not helping you then its time to consider tear duct plugs and Restasis. Cataract surgery should not make dry eyes worse.

JCH MD