Eye Drop Guide After LASIK & LASEK: Why Do They Taste Bitter?

Essential Post-Op Care from Lee Sang-young, Customer Experience Manager (CEM)

Hello! This is BGN Eye Clinic Jamsil Lotte Tower Branch.

Do you know what the most common questions in our outpatient clinic are? They are all about eye drops. Patients naturally ask when and how often to apply them, but surprisingly, many also worry if something is wrong with their medication.

"I used my eye drops, but why do I taste something bitter in my mouth?"

Patients who have undergone vision correction procedures such as LASIK, LASEK, or SMILE LASIK ask this question almost without exception. I find myself explaining this multiple times a day. People are often caught off guard when an eye drop causes a bitter taste in their mouth, even though it wasn't swallowed.

Unless you have experienced it firsthand, you wouldn't expect eye drops to leave a bitter taste! Many wonder whether this is normal, while others seek guidance on correct administration methods and treatment duration. I have always wanted to create a comprehensive guide to address these concerns.

In today's post for your healthy eye life, I will introduce the three most common eye drops prescribed after LASIK, LASEK, and SMILE LASIK, explain how to use them, and detail the cause and solution for that mysterious bitter taste.

"Why Do Eye Drops Taste Bitter?"

A few days ago, a patient who had undergone LASEK surgery returned to our clinic for a follow-up visit. After the examination, the patient pulled me aside, feeling somewhat embarrassed, to ask if something unusual was happening. The medication in question was Cravit.

The patient mentioned being startled by an intensely bitter taste in the mouth every time the drops were administered, as if oral medication had been taken instead.

It is completely natural to feel surprised. We normally assume that a taste can only be perceived when food or medicine is consumed directly by mouth. However, tasting your eye drops is actually a common phenomenon. I smiled and reassured the patient:

"There is no need to worry. Your eyes and nose are connected, so the eye drop solution drains down through the nasal passage into the back of your throat."

The patient was relieved and fascinated to learn how the facial anatomy works.

Top 3 Eye Drops Prescribed After LASIK and LASEK

When you visit the clinic after surgery, you will typically receive a prescription for two to three types of eye drops. While exact prescriptions vary slightly between LASIK and LASEK, these three medications are the most standard.

1. Flusone (Steroid)

Flusone is an essential therapeutic agent that suppresses ocular inflammation and promotes corneal healing. On the day of surgery, instill 1 drop every 2 hours. Thereafter, apply 4 times daily (morning, lunch, evening, and before bed). Always shake well before use to ensure the active ingredients are evenly mixed.

2. Cravit (Antibiotic)

Cravit is an antibiotic designed to prevent external bacterial infections after surgery. For LASEK patients, it is typically used for 2 to 4 weeks even after the therapeutic contact lens is removed. Apply every 2 hours on the day of surgery, then 4 times daily until the bottle is finished. This is the medication most frequently cited for causing a bitter taste.

3. Moxifle (Antibiotic)

Moxifle reduces infection risks immediately following surgery and is commonly prescribed for LASIK patients. On surgery day, alternate instantiation with Flusone every 2 hours. Afterwards, use it 4 times a day (morning, lunch, evening, and before bed). Patients occasionally report a bitter taste with Moxifle as well.

"My Eye Drops Taste Bitter!" This Is a Completely Normal Reaction

If you are asking, "The medication tastes terrible, is this safe?" rest assured. It is a completely normal physical response. Human anatomy features a drainage pathway called the nasolacrimal duct (tear duct) connecting the inner corner of the eye to the nasal cavity. When eye drops are applied, a portion naturally drains through this duct into the nose and throat, triggering taste receptors.

Solution: The Nasolacrimal Duct Occlusion Technique
After instilling your eye drop, close your eye and gently press the inner corner of your eye (next to the bridge of your nose) with your finger for 30 seconds. This blocks the tear duct and prevents the fluid from draining into your throat.

3 Post-Op Mistakes to Avoid When Applying Eye Drops

To ensure optimal healing and maximum comfort, avoid these common mistakes:

Letting drops spill over the eyelid: Gently pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket, then place a single drop directly inside the eye for optimal absorption.

Instilling multiple eye drops simultaneously: When using two or more different medications, wait at least 1 to 2 minutes between drops to prevent flushing out the first medication.

Rubbing your eyes: Even if your eyes feel itchy right after surgery, never rub them. Gently dab away excess tears on your cheek using a clean tissue without touching the eye itself.

Key Takeaways for a Smooth Recovery

Remember to shake Flusone thoroughly before every use, and utilize the tear-duct compression technique to prevent any bitter taste. Proper administration of eye drops is one of the most critical factors in your post-operative recovery. Because these medications interact directly with delicate corneal tissue, precise application guidelines must be followed.

Some patients stop using their eye drops altogether due to the unexpected bitter taste. However, as explained, this taste is harmless. Maintaining a consistent eye drop routine as prescribed is vital for smooth vision recovery.

In our next guide, I will share more insights on recovery routines and answers to the questions our customers ask most. We remain dedicated to supporting your visual health and resolving all your clinical questions.