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Eye discomfort after cataract surgery

Posted , 36 users are following.

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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  • Nanulance
    Nanulance derek76

    Posted

    I am a bit confused , I have been writing to Derek and carol .

    nothing I wrote on this page ..it seems most of you have posted these comments long time ago 

    my dr gave me carmellose . Individual little sachets .handy but eyes still irritated.. As someone said . It's as if you have had contacts in for too long 

    even the eye I have not had done is sharp and nightly discomfort 

    I had one cataract done about month ago 

    • vera42649
      vera42649 Nanulance

      Posted

      Nanulance: I received a notice that you wrote to me a comment but I cannot find it.  If you have not, please ignore otherwise, try again.
    • Nanulance
      Nanulance vera42649

      Posted

      Sorry Vera , having problem with entering discussions ..

      don't think I wrote to you ..

      I seem to get notes daily then find in most cases they are months old ,bit confusing 

      have be good day 

  • maryann17241
    maryann17241 derek76

    Posted

    Derek how are you now? I'm having much discomfort in my right eye, which was the second eye done. Yes it feels like contacts from long ago,but can't take it out. Very difficult to sleep. They said to give it a month, but the left eye never felt this bad. Just wanted to know how you are doing?
    • derek76
      derek76 maryann17241

      Posted

      Everything is fine now. I'm sorry to hear that you are still having a problem. I recently read about heated eyebags that help dry eyes

      and other conditions but the article concluded that using a hot compress on the eye was just as good.

      Look for MGDRX EyeBag on EBay.

      .

  • Bumblebea
    Bumblebea derek76

    Posted

    Hi Derek

    I also had very much the same thing, but it sounds like you have the facility to see someone, and you should take that opportunity as it is available and being offered. I went to Southampton Eye unit, and they have no such facilty. the eye casuality actually told me off for going there, and said I couldnt come without an appointment. I had my op beginning of June, and have resorted to now going private to see and eye specialist, because they kept delaying my appointments which are now sceduled for beginning of January!!!!

    Now back to yourself (sorry I just feel so miserable about my own situation) I also had and still have the same feeling in the outer corner of my eye. I was allergic to nearly all eye drops, and had the preservative free ones, the anti-biotic was ok but the anti-inflammatory was not. so you may well be allergic to what you have been given. Do try to get those as it may help. I now have very good sight in my operated eye, but the discomfort is something which I think is only slightly improving. I told them I was allergic to metal, and I wonder if your may have been the same. The clip which you may recall was used to keep you eye open during the op, may have damaged/or prompted a reaction. I am fairly sure this is my situation, as it is in exactly the same area as you describe. My allergic reaction started within a few hours of the op, was yours ok intitially? I do now see that you posted your letter a year ago, so all of this has been in vain. However, I would like to know how you are now, and what has happened along the way, as, of course yours was actually done before mine.

    • derek76
      derek76 Bumblebea

      Posted

      Hi Bumblebea,

                              The eye department at Eastbourne were brilliant. They gave me an out of hours number to phone if there was a problem at night or at the weekend. The nurse offered to get a consultant to the hospital at the weekend but I said that I would leave it till the Monday.

      The next time I had a problem they said to come to the hospital and they would fit me in. Two others waiting were the same.

      My problem did not start until the third day. That eye had anesthetic drops and an anesthetic injection so it may have stemmed from that. The other eye just had anasthetic drops and the non-preservative eye drops so that may have made a difference.

      I hope that things soon improve for you.

        

    • Carol_V
      Carol_V Bumblebea

      Posted

      It sounds like you are having the same problem I am having. I had my operation 10 months ago and still suffering.  It is the outer eye and it might well be where the clip was, when she whipped it off -  I yelled as my eyelashes went with it.  I am not aware that I have an allergy to metal so I would imagine that she has damaged the area.

      I also have a sore eye and bluriness and just left to deal with it, they clearly don't want to do when there is a problem - I am so miserable and always looking for a solution.  I would like to try an antibiotic and see if that helps, do they have to be prescribed.  Carol

    • Carol_V
      Carol_V Bumblebea

      Posted

      Could you tell me the name of the antibiotic and the anti inflammatory as I am going to try and get hold of it.

      I would be very interested in how you get on privately as I would be happy to do that also, anything for a solution.  Carol

    • Bumblebea
      Bumblebea Carol_V

      Posted

      Carole

      the anit-biotic I have used, and am still using ocasionally when my eye gets bad, is called 'Minims Chloramphernicol 0.5% w/v. This is preservative free , and has to be kept in the fridge. I was allergic to the anti-inflammitory, and have taken it back to Boots to be destroyed, so I cannot tell you the name. sorry .

      If you put into google search,' youtube cataract operation'. You will see how the op is done, and this will help you understand what I am about to write. I should say I have gleaned this information from Prof. Lotery, whom I am now seeing privately. (It is well worth it)

      The cut is done into your eye at the outer corner where you say your problem is. This is also,exactly where mine is. The cut heals perfectly and leaves a 'scar' as in a normal operation. This is invisible to us, but the eye specialist can see it. Blinking, as we do constantly, rubs over this 'scar' and the rubbing on the scar can make eyes dry. As I was allergic to all eye drops and artificial tears. I was prescribes 'HYLO', which is a preservative free one. I use this all day, and it has helped enormously. The next time I saw Prof.Lotery, he also suggested,(and I think this could be something very few of us know), that some of us do not close our eyes perfectly shut, when we go to sleep at night, and to that effect, your eyes can be drying out a lot over night. He prescribed 'Simple Eye Ointment'. (nothing to do with the Simple cosmetic range) I have to put this in at night, before I go to bed/sleep. This has improved the situation enormously. The chemist has told me I do not need a prescription for this, he can just sell it to me, it is only £6. But you have to pay for your prescriptions anyway when you go private.

      I am also having a pair of 'wrap-around sunglasses' glazed with my prescription, as the wind does have a bad effect on my eye. The inhouse opticians at Southampton Eye Clinic are doing that for me, but I found that all of the high street opticians said it was not possible !!

      I do recommed going private, that way it is possible to see you doctor as often as you feel necessary, until the condition improves. This has given me peace of mind and that extra treatment which is now helping me.

      I am hopeful that my eye is gradually improving, and when I get my new glasses , the protection from the wind will be a blessing..

      Carole, I do hope this has helped, especially as you have been suffering much longer than me.

    • Carol_V
      Carol_V Bumblebea

      Posted

      Thank you so much for the information.  It is so helpful to get feedback and to know that I am not completely alone.    I too use Hylo, however if I use any drops too many times a day, my eyes get even drier, I get away with using them about 3 times a day.  At night I use Viscotears. I will buy some 'Simple Eye Ointment' an try it. Indeed, I will try anything!   Where the clamp was placed (I guess) there is now a white mark showing on the outside edge of the lower eyelid and the lid burns - it's feels like an acid burn and the eye is dry and permanently sore and blury.  In fact  the first thing I think of when I wake in the morning is the eye as I am so aware of it.

      When I first had the operation, my eye was so swollen I couldn't shut it fully at night - and even though it has now come down - I am not sure if it closing fully, as both eyes do feel different when I blink or close them.

      Thank you for being in touch.  Carol

    • Bumblebea
      Bumblebea Carol_V

      Posted

      Carol.

      you do have to do something about your eye. I sounds so de-bilitating.

      Where did you have your surgery?

      Do you wear spectacles?

      Is your vision worse now than before the op?

      Do you drive?

      I would like to try to help you.

    • Carol_V
      Carol_V Bumblebea

      Posted

      Thank you for your support -  I have put in a complaint after 10 months of pain and I am going to be seeing someone on Friday 31st - so hopefully I may get a result.  I will let you know.  It's interesting that Marie is also complaining about the burning, however it seems what they have done so far has not helped her situation.
  • marie98697
    marie98697 derek76

    Posted

    I had cataract on 6/18/14 in right eye and a week later I felt as if I had something in my eye.  Two times back to the surgeon and he kept saying nothing is in your eye, use over the counter eye drops. On 7/11/14 I had the left eye done, that seemed alright. I was still suffering from the right, went to a retina spec., he said I had blepharitis, that is clogged meibomian glands. He gave me a steroid drop and lid scrubs to clean my lids. My eyesight is perfect, I opted for the special lenses where I do no need glasses. I have been suffering since 6/23/14. My surgeon, since he did not know what I have, sent me for a 2nd opinion. He diagnosed me with clogged meibomian glands of the lid. He prescribed another steroid drop, and put a plug on my tear duct. I have to wash my lids with Johnson baby shampoo and to use warm compresses a few times a day. I am so frustrated because there is no relief, I either feel something in my eye, or feel burning and irritation. Also I forgot to mention I was put on Restatis drops. Does anyone else have this problem? The retina spec. Recommended me to another ophthalmologist who specializes in the lid. I will be going to him on Wednesday. Maybe he has another solution.
    • Bumblebea
      Bumblebea marie98697

      Posted

      Have you seen the eylid specialist yet Marie? Would welcome the name of yours, but of course, I dont know if you are in my area. Also, of course, did you find it helpful.
    • marie98697
      marie98697 Bumblebea

      Posted

      I live in NEW YORK City, I do no know where you are. I saw the Dr. And his diagnosis was dry eye, caused by clogged glands, same diagnosis as the last Dr. He did a few tests, one was called the Schrimer which tests the degree of the dryness and he said my eyes are quite dry. He prescribed an antibiotic, called Doxycycline Hyclate 100mg. I was on them for 4 days and I was very nauseous, so I had to stop it. Also gave me an eye drop to ease the discomfort, called Keorolac 0.5.these drops burn for a few minutes. I also use Restasis and wash my lids with Johnson Baby Shampoo 2 times a day and warm compresses.I will call the Dr tomorrow and let him know the antibiotic does not agree with me, maybe he can lower the dose. I am happy to say today is the first day in over 3 months that I only used the artificial tear drops once and my eyes did not feel sore and irritated. Hopefully relief is finally happening. Also Prayers help. I hope you are feeling better
    • barbara97190
      barbara97190 marie98697

      Posted

      I am taking a vitamin supplement for dry eye called Bio Tears by Biosyntrx.  it has helped me a lot and my eyes bother me if I run out of it.  I also use their multiple vitamins because there's extra things to help the eyes.  It's expensive, but worth it.
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