slight irritation one week after catract surgery

[timmie]

I had cataract surgery 10 days ago. At first I had no discomfort for about 7 days. However on the 8th day I started feeling that there was something in my eye - maybe a speck of dust. this sensation comes and goes and sometimes I feel OK but sometimes the sensation is there. Today is the 10th day and the sensation is there most of the time. it is a very slight discomfort but it is still a discomfort and I know it is not right as I dont have this sensation in my unoperated eye. I am taking eye drops ( Vistametasone N  -  0.1% +0.5%) one drop 4 times a day. I wonder if it can be the drops? I dont suffer from any allergies. The doctor (not the surgeon but a trainee) suggests changing the drops but is it a good idea after having taken it for 8 days? ( I did not take eye drops on the first day).
   My operated eye is very very sensitive to light and colours are far too  intense. The unoperated eye also has a mild cataract but I could see very well with it before the surgery. Now my 2 eyes do not coordinate so I dont see as well with my unoperated eye! Colours with the unoperated eye are as before and I much prefer that!
    I am worried about this mild disconmfort and wonder if it is a good idea to change my eye drops?  Looking forward to your reply. Many thanks.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[fran6879]

Don't worry I had cataract surgery the 20th of September and again on the other eye the 4th of October ..what your eye is doing is  normal I had the same problems you are speaking of and  I can not till you how many times I have been back to my eye doctor in the last month . I have all so had a problem with seeing in the last eye done as will as high pressure . ever thing will work out just gave it a little time ....The color in the eye you had the cataract surgery  on is way better than the color in the other eye this is also normal ....If you are not planning on having both eyes done ...My guess is you will have to live in the different in the color in each eye ....But the eye you had surgery on is doing what it was meant to do ....If you still have doubt by all means go back to see your eye doctor ...I think the problem is most doctors don't take the time to till us that our sight is going to be so different after the cataract surgery ......

[timmie]

I went to the hospital for a check up (after speaking to the trainee who suggested changing the drops) and a doctor examined my eye.He said that the lens looks good and everything looks fine and not to worry. But I still have this sensation of something in my eye - a slight gritty feeling which was not there during the first 7 days. It is slightly uncomfortable and seems to be very SLOWLY getting worse. He did not suggest changing the eye drops and told me to come back for my scheduled appointment with the surgeon which is for 4 weeks after the surgery. Is this normal and temporary? I am quite worried. many thanks.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

You need to be having this discussion with your surgeon and his/her staff. Call them today and ask them your questions. Do not get post operative advise over the web.

JCH III MD