Most cases of dry eye can be treated with artificial tears.

LASIK temporarily decreases your body's ability to produce tears and may cause short-term or prolonged dry eye syndrome. Also, if it's determined you have dry eyes prior to LASIK, your eye doctor may recommend dry eye treatment to establish a better tear film prior to refractive surgery.

Symptoms of dry eyes include a foreign body sensation (feeling like something is "in" your eyes), burning, stinging, eye pain, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and fluctuating vision.

Usually, LASIK-induced dry eye syndrome can be successfully treated with:

• Artificial tears
• Medicated eye drops (Restasis)
• Punctal plugs (a simple eyelid procedure)
• Nutritional supplements

Nutritional supplements found to be helpful in treating dry eye include flaxseed oil, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids (found in salmon and other cold water fish).