Pain focusing after Scleral buckle surgery

[Piper400]

My husband had Scleral buckle surgery 2 weeks ago. In follow up appointments the surgeon said evertthing looks great. After 1 week he was told to quit using the dilating drops. When he stopped those drops he started to experience severe pain spasms when focusing. The doctor said he could restart the dilating drops (cyclopentolate hydrochloride) and this has helped his pain spasms.  However, whenever the drops wear off the pain spasms come back. Has anyone else experienced this? I have extensively searched the internet and can not find any other similar posts. His doctor had not heard of it. We are wondering if perhaps the buckle his impacting his muscle that is used for focusing? Or is this normal and it will just take awhile for the pain to stop? Any advice or experience is appreciated.

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

The dilation drops would help if there is still inflammation in the eye.  Only the surgeon can tell that. If there is steroid drops besides dilation would be indicated.  There may be spasm or the focus muscle (ciliary body)  the dilation drops relax that muscle. Might need to use the drops several weeks longer to rest it.   Problems with focus or pupil size or double vision are not rare after that type of surgery.  If your husband is in his early or mid 40's this surgery is often enough to make latent presybopia symptomatic and he may need reading glasses.

[Piper400]

Thanks for the response.

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

Sure, best of luck