Steroids after cataract surgery

My mother, 71 yrs old, had cataract surgery on Oct 13, about 3 months ago, in her right eye. The surgery was complicated and took longer than normal, about 1 hour. However, recovery seemed to be going okay. Good vision and normal pressure readings. The complications arose when she would stop the steroid treatment. Within 24 hrs of stopping the steroid drops, she would have pain around her eye. The pain was severe enough to require an emergency visit to her eye surgeon's office. After two attempts to stop the drops, the doctor suggested that it may be a rebound effect of the discontinued use of the steroids. On December 13th, he suggested a slow decrease in the use of the steroid to counteract the possible rebound effect. The routine was 4 drops per day the first week, 3 the second, 2 the third, 1 per day the fourth, and then off the the drops completely. This week, she again experienced pain after completely stopping the steroid drops. Is this highly unusual? Aside from a rebound affect, what could be another cause of her pain? Are their adverse side affects of continued steroid use?

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

She could have a very low grade inflammation and may require long term steroids.  A mild one like Lotemax.

Dr. O