Pain in eye after cataract surgery: When does it get better?

Thank you for posting this. I don't feel so alone. My eyes are in pain and burning 24x7 in addition to sciatica, oral lichen planus and lichen planus all over my body. Burning in privates so they think I may be developing lichen planus there too. When I called for my eye dr's on call, the nurse said I should use the mineral oil drops that burn my eyes until I wash my face. If I use at night it burns all night long. The nurse said there's nothing more they can do and to see a naturopathic dr. Normally any PF free eye drop helps and doesn't burn but she said to use ones with mineral in it that burns my eyes like the dr recommended and there is no chance of my losing my eyesight, it's just severe dry eye. I have also developed over the past couple months burning from head to toe that does not go away. My pain pill reduces the burning but never totally takes it away, like my sciatica. My hands lock up so i cannot type or open doors, bottles, practically everything. I am able to type if I take frequent breaks and use pain meds. I have tried every anti-depressant and anti-psychotic/anxiety medicine and I always have reactions, my body is sensitive to drugs. Thank god it doesn't react to the small amount of pain pills I receive for my sciatica. Please, any help. The on call nurse said the eye dr's can't do anything more, only a holistic dr. Any help anyone can offer. Usually if you put something in your eyes and it burns for hours until you take it out it's your body trying to tell you something, isn't it? Like if I'd put bleach in my eye. thanks for your time.

Too often patients suffering adverse effects following cataract surgery have no medical recourse. This is unacceptable for patients. Ophthalmologists seem inflexible to revisit undesirable post surgical outcomes. Patients are made to carry the adverse effects when the risks were not addressed before surgery.

I am hoping that medical faculty, clinical staff and nurses read comments posted. Comments are anecdotal and offer insights that may be helpful in clinical practice.

Was "only" an Iridotomy" referral from my Optometrist; Ophthalmoloigst... she did it and I left office. I have read should wait fifteen minutes to check? Month later Covid had closed Optometrist so Ophthalmologist saw me again as I was getting some double vision. Her staff did some normal tests but my eye pressure was not taken; my angles were not checked.
Dr. had told me over phone beforehand, dont worry your angles are nice and wide...how would she know without checking in person? My Optometrist shied away.
Anyway before I left her office she said to me: you have the eyes/vision of a 20 year old I am 77) and when I asked about the double vision when looking at objects close but seeing objects in background double (and vice versa) she said, its age-rleated. I agree, and of course not all eye drs. the same, but there doesn't seem to be much accountability for follow up or further issues.
I think getting copies of medical notes from our files might be useful, if any are made/kept?
GOOD IDEA OR NOT.... BEFORE procedures, ask the referring doctor: should I have issues after the surgery/treatment, "who" will take care of me you or the referred doctor?? and get it in writing or have someone with you.
I know especially through Covid it has been difficult for all medical professionals, and most are amazing: but as patients, we need to know the risks and who will be responsible should there be a negative outcome to some procedures, shouldn't we? Or are we to be just left to our own resources?

No I am not getting any help. My internist is doing the best she can to help. Ophthalmologists say the cataract surgery was done correctly, and I might have neuralgia or neuritis. There doesn't seem to be any recourse or resolution.

Hi @lacy2 I read that your vision is that of a 20 year old. Congratulations, that's wonderful!

You make a great point about obtaining your medical records. Good idea! Each patient is certainly entitled to their records. Although there are incredible doctors out there, sometimes we are left to our own resources. That is called self advocating. You are your best advocate and you should always follow your gut.

I'm sorry to hear of your double vision. I have battled it as well, and it is no fun. Are you still experiencing double vision @lacy2 ?

@gocy Hello there. I'm sorry to hear you are not getting any help. Perhaps you should be seen by a neuro opthamologist, or a neurologist? Your current opthamologist should not have a problem referring you to a specialist if he or she can not properly diagnose.

There may be mitigating circumstances such as nerve pain that ironically came after your cataract surgery. It may unrelated to the surgery, but ruling out is the only way to tell. Neuritis or neuralgia can be helped with a nerve medication such as Gabapentin (Neurontin) or Pregabalin (Lyrica).

I experienced sharp nerve pains in my eyes and because I had had cataract surgeries and cornea transplants, I blamed it on that. when in fact I had developed small fiber neuropathy and central sensitization. The only way I got to the bottom of things was to keep persevering and being my own advocate.

Good luck with resolution. I'm sure it will all work out, and I'd love to hear an update. Will you keep me posted on your progress?

Spot on @lacy2 I wish I had been made aware by my Dr. that secondary cataracts were possible, after having cataract surgeries. I was left fending for myself with kooky double vision and discomfort for months, after one specialist missed it. I eventually found out I had secondary cataracts because I had a stitch lose from my previous cornea surgery that sent me to the ER while on vacation. The young opthamologist who went to snag my stitch, noticed immediately the secondary cataract.

This is a good reason to be here on Connect. To offer experience to others so they can advocate for themselves. Knowledge is power. And I will say, not all doctors overlook details we should be made aware of. There are some real good docs out there.

Here is a link on secondary cataracts:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/are-you-at-risk-for-a-secondary-cataract

I was prescribed Gabapentin by my internist. I have not taken it because of all the serious possible side effects, including dementia, eye rollings and others.