A: No, not the same.
Since within a few seconds after tear instillation, the tear flows into the drainage hole (the punctum) right away and get wasted, so, even if you put in tears once every 15 mins, for 95% of that time (i.e., a duration of 14 mins and 50 seconds), you are still WITHOUT lubrication.
Dry eyes after LASIK is very common, that is why we do recommend plugging the drainage hole (punctum) in all pts.