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Eye discomfort after cataract surgery

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derek76
derek76

I had cataract surgery five days ago. On taking the dressing off the next day my vision was brilliant and no discomfort.

On the morning of the third day (Saturday) it felt as if I had something in the outside corner of my eye and that the clarity of vision was somewhat less. As it didn't wear off I called the out of hours ophthalmic nurse. She first asked me to check for an eyelash or anything in the eye. Her second suggestion was that I could have a sensitivity to the cheapo NHS eye drops with preservative in them.

We agreed to leave the situation until after applying the next eye drops. Things were no better when she called me back. She offered to get the on call eye doctor to see me at the hospital.

I did not feel that it was urgent enough for that and that I would leave it until today ( Monday)

The discomfort worsened over night and I called the daytime contact number. They took my details and will pass them on to the eye clinic and someone will call me back...but it might not be today.

The feeling is rather like when many years ago I wore contact lenses and I put one in wrongly.

Has any other reader had the same sensation?

3 likes, 101 replies

101 Replies

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  • derek76
    derek76

    Posted

    With my first eye I had both a local anaesthetic and an injection. I wore the pad overnight. With the second eye I just had the local anaesthetic and only had to wear a clear plastic cover over my eye until bedtime.

    Every hospital seems to give different instructions. I was told only to bathe my eye on the first morning.

    Did they not give you a contact number to call for any problems or questions? I had a daytime number for the ward and an out of hours number for the on call nurse.

  • byrne
    byrne

    Posted

    I would be interested to hear at what hospital you had your cataract operation? I had a cataract operation carried out in Norfolk, and I have doubts at to whether they knew enough or whether they are too busy to carry out operations successfully.
  • Carol_V
    Carol_V

    Posted

    During the operation, I was given eye drops, which I guess was an anaesthetic and I was also given an injection by the side of the eye.

    Afterwards, I was not told to bathe the eye, in fact I was told not to get water in it i.e. and preferably not to shower, which I do but I am careful. Also I was told to wear the plastic cover only at night when I was in bed, so I didn't poke myself in the eye during sleep. During the day I was just to go round doing my usual activities.

    How strange that each hospital has their own instructions. I take two different eye drops, Chloramphenicol one drop 4 times daily for 1 week and Dexamethasone, one drop 4 times daily for 4 weeks. Are you using the same medication Derek and Rady?

  • Carol_V
    Carol_V

    Posted

    Josephine

    I had my operations at Moorfields. They too are very, very busy and I had, and still have many concerns.

  • derek76
    derek76

    Posted

    Moorfields is the top eye hospital and you should have every confidence in them. They are all busy. They were doing six each morning I was there with another six in the afternoon.

    It's a simple little procedure, did you watch one of the Youtube videos of it prior to the operation?

    Every hospital seems to use different eye drops. I had Maxitrol. It is the preservative in it that causes the dryness in your eye. Later I was given a two month supply of Celluvisc, artificial tears for the dryness. A friend in Scotland was given an ointment to use.

  • derek76
    derek76

    Posted

    Moorfields is the top eye hospital and you should have every confidence in them. They are all busy. They were doing six each morning I was there with another six in the afternoon.

    It's a simple little procedure, did you watch one of the Youtube videos of it prior to the operation?

    Every hospital seems to use different eye drops. I had Maxitrol. It is the preservative in it that causes the dryness in your eye. Later I was given a two month supply of Celluvisc, artificial tears for the dryness. A friend in Scotland was given an ointment to use.

  • doglover
    doglover

    Posted

    Hi Its 4months since having my capsulectomy. 2weeks ago I had a Yag laser procedure for capsule wrinkles..since the Yag I have been experiencing what appears to be debris falling into my line of vision. causing temporary blurred vision..I have seen a Retinal doctor at my eye clinic..She observed an old corneal scar., never explained what the feeling of Debris was..or follow up. still in the dark (pardon the pun).
  • Carol_V
    Carol_V

    Posted

    A friend of mine who has also had cataract surgery on both eyes has that, and she was told that in time it will eventually be absorbed by the eye, or at the least will drop to the bottom of the eye and you will not notice it. It is the jelly-like substance which has broken off from the ........ I don't have the technical language. I hope that helps.
    • doglover
      doglover Carol_V

      Posted

      Hi Carol..Its now over 12 months since my Cataract surgery., & I am still troubled with this feeling of Debris in my viterous..

      The only way I can describe the feeling is like when we have sleep in our eyes., like a film over the eyeball..only unlike this it is not possible to clean it away, as it is behind the lense.. I have seen the Opthomologist but they do not seem interested., no explanation given only that all looks well with new lense.,

      I find this condition very irrititating & the constant temporary blurring worrying especially when behind the wheel of my car., my other Eye suffers from a CRVO.,& is badly damaged(not legal for driving)

      just don't know how to deal with this anymore...

    • Carol_V
      Carol_V doglover

      Posted

      I have the same problem, 10 months since my operation, I am told everything looks fine, my eye is hot, blury and sore,  it seems to be in the white of the eye (is that the viterous?) the outside and also a burning lower lid, again outer.

      I am seeing someone next Friday, after complaining, having been left to deal with it, with no appointment, somehow I feel I will not come away with a solution.  I shall let you know.  What is CRVO?

    • barbara97190
      barbara97190 doglover

      Posted

      I had a blur which would move across the eye and blur my vision temporarily.  Not sure if what you are describing is the same thing, but I finally found a good eye doctor who said I have dry eye syndrome. He put drops in to observe how the tears flowed over the eyes.  I am taking some eye vitamins which seem to help. But it is disconcerting when it happens while I'm driving.  PS I just had cataract surgery last Thurs-still can't see and eye extremely red.  I'm hoping it will be ok.  Barbara 
    • doglover
      doglover barbara97190

      Posted

      Hi Barbara., As I already see a Retinal Specialist regulary for my other Eye Condition,I have had examinations of the Cataract operated Eye., nothing as been found,. no explanation why I am getting these temporary Blur in my vision., I did ask about Dry Eye, was told no sign of this.,I suppose it will remain a mystery,. at least my vision is crystal clear so thats a Bonus...
    • derek76
      derek76 doglover

      Posted

      Is it a blur or a mistyness? I sometimes think that I slightly get misty vision in the corner of one  eye. I have an eye test coming up soon and will ask if they see anything.
    • doglover
      doglover derek76

      Posted

      Derek76 its a Blur. feels like a film over my eye. only lasts a second

      or so..Eye Doc told me it was Debris from Cataract op.& would move down out of my line of vision within a year..nearly 2 years on.. still their..

      good luck with yours...

    • mayday35
      mayday35 doglover

      Posted

      doglover I had my cataracts done by an excellent surgeon who told me some of his colleagues do as many as 20 operations a morning. He was devastated by this and said he never handled more than a maximum of 9. He reckoned the eye needed time to adjust and would not operate within one month of the first. The debris should be sucked out of your eye before the little slit is made and the lenses is then inserted doubled over so that it flips into place easily. We should BEWARE of these opthalmists doing as many ops as they can! Its a very intricate operation and needs a surgeon with all his wits about him and not thinking about the next patient and time for knocking off for lunch! The day after my op at 8am I saw him for the first checkup. His nurse removed my bandage. No blood, no pain and could see perfectly well. A friend went to another surgeon who did 20 in a morning. He had her back 4 days later for the other eye! Only after both of these did he tell her she had macular degeneration! He got paid and had her stay overnight in a clinic. Not necessary for me and I drove myself home the next morning! You either get a good surgeon or..... I would recommend a second opinion in your case. NO debris should remain before placing the new lense in place. You must have awful discomfort.
    • doglover
      doglover mayday35

      Posted

      Hi Mayday. Thank you for your post.. Believe it or not, I have seen quite a few Opthomologists about this problem. & up to now have had no explanation as to why I am experiencing these symptoms, except that it could be debris in the vitrious from the surgery!! Further told this would drop down to bottom of eye in the months to come.. One Eye Doc. Said if unable to live with the problem, I could always have a Vitrectomy, but not one they like to perform as many complications can follow this surgery... So for now I remain in the land of Blur...     Doglover..
    • rickyd7823
      rickyd7823 derek76

      Posted

      Hi Derek, I recently had the Symfony lenses put in and I am feeling the same discomfort you are feeling.  It seems that I either have something in the corner of my left eye or I am able to see the lens itself.  What explanatin did your doctor give you.  I would love to know.

      Thanks

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