Cornea

Post-LASIK/PRK Red Eye

Also known as: post LASIK red eye, LASIK red eye, post-LASIK pain, post PRK red eye, PRK red eye, post-PRK pain, refractive surgery red eye, LASIK complication

Overview

Red eye, pain, or reduced vision after LASIK, PRK, SMILE, or other refractive corneal surgery must be separated from routine dryness/irritation. Red flags include reduced vision, increasing pain, photophobia, focal infiltrate, epithelial defect, flap/interface haze, discharge, bandage contact lens risk, unilateral worsening, or early severe pain. Optometry should recognise, document, and urgently contact the refractive surgeon/ophthalmology rather than escalating steroids before infection and flap/interface complications are excluded.

What OptoGuide™ covers for post-lasik/prk red eye

  • Recognition patterns — symptoms, signs, and differentiators
  • Don't-miss risks and escalation triggers
  • Management tiers with linked Australian therapeutics
  • Referral urgency, specialty, and letter drafting

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