Review of Various Eye Drops After LASIK Surgery


Recently, I had LASIK eye surgery, and one of the post-surgery recommendations is to use eye drops frequently to keep your eyes moist. This is because LASIK surgery cuts through your cornea, which can cause eye dryness, sometimes even leading to chronic dry eyes. Thankfully, I’ve had a good experience so far. Today, I’m reviewing several brands of eye drops I’ve tried during my recovery.

Brands I've Tested:

  1. Systane - The main one I'll be reviewing.
  2. Walgreens Store Brand - Picked up during one of my outings.
  3. Refresh - Another brand I decided to try.
  4. Blink - Given by my eye surgeon initially.
  5. TheraTears Liquid Gel - I also experimented with this.

Why So Many Eye Drops?

After LASIK, you’ll likely try various products to find what works best for you, as everyone’s eyes respond differently. I want to share my favorites and the ones that didn’t work as well for me, but please remember that your experience might differ.

Systane: My Top Pick

Systane is the one I’ve found most effective. I’ve been using the preservative-free version, which comes in single-use vials. My eye doctor recommended preservative-free drops, and I’ve noticed they keep my eyes moist longer, allowing me to sleep through the night without waking up to dry eyes.

One tip: While the vials are labeled as single-use, my eye surgeon advised that as long as you don’t touch the tip, they can be safely used for up to 24 hours. So, I use one vial throughout the day and discard it at the end.

Walgreens Store Brand: Not a Fan

I was disappointed with the Walgreens Store Brand. While the packaging is similar to Systane, you can't recap the vial after opening it, which feels wasteful. It also didn’t keep my eyes moist for long, especially overnight. The packaging claims it's ideal for LASIK dryness, but it didn’t work well for me.

Refresh: A Close Second

Refresh Advanced was another brand I liked. Though it's a bit pricey, it worked well and kept my eyes comfortable. I only have a few vials left, but I’ve decided to stick with Systane for now.

Blink: Decent But Not the Best

Blink was the brand I initially received from my surgeon. While it’s decent, it didn’t provide the same long-lasting comfort as Systane. I keep it with me as a backup, but it’s not my first choice.

TheraTears Liquid Gel: Mixed Feelings

TheraTears Liquid Gel sounded promising with its gel formulation, but it didn’t live up to my expectations. Although it coats the eyes well, it made my vision blurry, which was frustrating. Plus, the vials can't be recapped, and my eyes felt crusty after using it overnight. I’d rate this one the lowest.

Pricing and Availability

Here’s a quick rundown of the prices and where I bought these products:

  • Systane: ~$11 for 28 vials at Walmart.
  • Walgreens Store Brand: ~$15 for 30 vials at Walgreens.
  • Refresh Advanced: ~$15 for 30 vials, purchased at Safeway.
  • Blink: ~$6-7 for a small bottle at Walmart.
  • TheraTears Liquid Gel: ~$15 at Safeway.

In general, I found Walmart to offer better prices compared to other stores, though it’s worth checking your local grocery store’s discounts if you have a club card.

Final Thoughts

If you’re recovering from LASIK or dealing with dry eyes, I highly recommend trying Systane. It’s soothing, long-lasting, and doesn’t sting at all. Remember, everyone's eyes are different, so what works for me might not work for you. If one of your favorite brands didn’t work well for me, take it with a grain of salt—we all have unique needs when it comes to eye care.

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