cornea transplant

I had a cornea transplant about two months ago.  My second one...the first was done 32 years ago.  All seems to going well except i had some pain in the eye last week and visited my doctor.  He said pressure was up to 30....the reducted the potency of my pred drop in half and having me taking a drop every two hours.

today is there is slight pain and the eye lid seems swollen......any thoughts...the vision is good and seems to be still improving

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

The pred forte can cause an elevation in ocular pressure in some patients.  It is possible that that was the cause of your pressure of 30.  It sounds like your doctor switched you to a "soft' steroid drop like Lotemax that has less effect on the pressure.  It is not as strong so has to be used more often.  Remember that your pressure could also be elevated due to other issues like glaucoma due to scarring of your drainage angle (not unusual with cases like yours.)  It would be nice if pressure improved on lotemax but you can't count on it and you might have to start taking a pressure lowering drop, possibly.  As far as pain and lid swelling - it could be a possible warning sign of inflammation - so be sure to have your surgeon take a look at you as soon as possible.  Good luck with everything - I'm sure your doctor will be able to get the pressure under control - suspect you might have to take at least one pressure drop.

MJK MD