1. Community
  2. Eyes
  3. Cataract

Watery eye after cataract surgery

Posted , 18 users are following.

Gmari
Gmari

on 14 January this year had cataract surgery in my left eye, everything was fine till 2 weeks after when I developed macular edema. I continued to take 2 types of drops( don't remember the names now) for another 3 months or so. In May the problem was resolved. Around the beginning of July my left eye started to water and therefore blurring a bit my vision. It bother me a lot when I go out as I need to wipe my eyes quite often and need to put on sunglasses as it seems to decrease the watering of the eye.

my doctor said it could be blefaritis but don't have sticky eyelids in the morning only some very tiny white discharge, almost invisible.

i read that there are 2 kinds of blefaritis. Reading about the causes for blefarities one that could fit mine is through trauma of the eye (cataract surgery) because before surgery never had any problems at all with my eyes. 

Anyone out there has similar problems?

1 like, 21 replies

21 Replies

Next
  • robert93685
    robert93685 Gmari

    Posted

    Sound like "tear film instability". Common after cataract surgery. Because of the recent surgical incisions your natural tears don't fully coat the surface of your eye. When you go out of doors there is wind which increases evaporation of water from your eye. The dryness causes irritation and then reflex watering.  You need to improve the natural tear film with a thicker artificial tear preparation. Suggest you apply a gel like Viscotears or Genteal obtained from any pharmacy up to 3 times a day and before you venture outside.  The problem settles after a month or two unlike "permanent dry eye syndrome".
    • Gmari
      Gmari robert93685

      Posted

      Thank you very much for the info. I have been reading up on blepharitis and it seems to have multiple causes: allergy is one of them. Before the  operation I have been suffering from rhinitis, which I forgot to mention on my post, but it used to be only when I went out of the house and only during the cold weather. In summer it was ok.

      At present I use Optive (Carmellose Sodium) but I don't use it regularly but lately I have been using it once a day.

      Also nobody explained to me how long this blepharitis can last and when do I know when it is gone.

      Would you know if I can travel to tropical countries like Tanzania for example or Cambodia while i suffer from Blepharities? 

      Also now I am worried to have the other eye operated even though at the moment my eyesight is imbalanced, in fact I see as if I looked through a fishbowl and it is very annoying and to correct this a bit I need to put on sunglasses also when there is no sun. At the end of the day, mostly when I go out,  I feel  my lids as if they were full of oil and this causes me to tear a lot. Very very unconfortable and annoying.

  • marie98697
    marie98697 Gmari

    Posted

    Hi, I had cataract surgery last year in both eyes, 4 weeks apart. I have had problems with dry eye, also called Blepharitis. The  type I have the symptoms are a feeling of something in my eye. Your type of Blepharitis is watering of the eyes. My surgeon did not know what my problem was and I went to New York Eye and Ear Hospital for another opinion. Also went to Bascom Eye Institute in Miami Beach, Florida. Reason was we go to Florida and I was still having problems so I wanted another opionion. I had plugs put in my eyes, was on prescription Restasis drops, did not help. I use refresh Optive lubricating drops, dyoxicline antibiotic and warm compresses several times a day. I have  some  improvement, but my eyes are not the same. I never had this problem before I had surgery. They tell me the surgery had nothing to do with it. I now have a new optomologist, which I am much happier with. He has compassion, whereas my surgeon was a cold fish, no personality. I hope you wil have better luck with your eyes than I have had
    • Gmari
      Gmari marie98697

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply and hopefully your problem will settle soon. I also had and sometime still have the sensation of something in my eye but it does not last long it is mostly the watery eye that bother me. I am also using Optive drops but I am not terribly happy with it. perhaps I don't use them properly.

      As I am very interested in natural medicine I am going to try to make warm compresses for my eye with "eye bright" plant (you will find scientific name on google).

      Best wishes to you and my solidarity.

    • sheila67455
      sheila67455 Gmari

      Posted

      interested to know if eye bright plant works. thanks for sharing. i also prefer natural remedies.

  • Carol_V
    Carol_V Gmari

    Posted

    Two years ago I too had cataract surgery and developed blephartis and dry eye (it is a miserable condition) it was mostly in one eye and I believe it was caused by trauma to the eye.  Doctors do not agree saying it was a co-incidence, or I must have had it before surgery - not true.  However, I think I have almost 'cured' it and  I will write up my daily routine in case it will help others.
    • Gmari
      Gmari Carol_V

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply. Yes I also thought that in my case blepharitis was caused by the surgery's trauma as all of this is absolutly new to me and I am learning as I go along and everything is very confusing to me at the moment...
    • marie98697
      marie98697 Carol_V

      Posted

      Hi this Marie, I am very interested as to what your daily routine is. Perhaps this could help me and others
    • marie98697
      marie98697 Carol_V

      Posted

      Carol I have the same problem with dry eye also called Blepheritis. I use optive eye drops no preservatives and warm compresses. Was on antibiotics and had punctual plugs put in but the ophthalmologist had to remove them, they were too uncomfortable. This has been going on for a year, thank God it is finally easing up, but my eyes are not the same. One good thing is that my vision is perfect. Please let me know your daily routine
    • sheila67455
      sheila67455 Carol_V

      Posted

      thanks for sharing. i am very interested to hear how you cured or helped the issue. i have oily eye lids, watery eyes all day. I am scheduled for second eye surgery soon. thank you.

  • ricky18151
    ricky18151 Gmari

    Posted

    I am have I get up in the morning I have a little sticky on my eyelid but durning the day watery eye. What med do get to solve your problem. If so
  • saksham.09464
    saksham.09464 Gmari

    Posted

    What can be the cure for this thing
    • sheila67455
      sheila67455 saksham.09464

      Posted

      i wish we could find something that can help. i hope some people who had a positive treatment can please share with us.

  • jenv7
    jenv7 Gmari

    Posted

    I just had cataract surgery on the 27th of Feb & I’m having watery eye & pain. I was told pain was from inflammation i had in left eye. I’m still taking Prednisone & using eyedrops each 4 times a day . I’ve talked with other people & they didn’t have any problems. I go back in 3 weeks , sure hope this gets better soon. 

    • richard08641
      richard08641 jenv7

      Posted

      Had surgery the same time as you and I have the same symptons. Using artificial tears with lubricant. seems to help but still have symptons. scared to have other eye done. If I hear of anything that works will pass it on to you.
    • sheila67455
      sheila67455 richard08641

      Posted

      i am having the same. nervous about next eye surgery. NOTHING helps. i will try warm compresses.

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.