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

Hello, I am not sure if I can be of any help. First of all apologies for my bad English, as I am not a native speaker. But I too had long-lasting pains and sensations in my eyes and head (and still have but less), before and AFTER my corneal debridement procedure in both eyes. I also went to a neurologist and she found nothing wrong. Then I learned about neuropathy. The nerves in the eyes are probably extremely triggered by the procedures and have been overly sensitive and need to calm down. I did a lot of research and what may help you are opioid pain-relievers. I am not sure if they are allowed in the US, but in the Netherlands, I have been prescribed the opioid with the brand name Tramadol. When I had severe pains and sensitivity (and could not sleep because of it) I took this for the night. After three nights or so I indeed noticed less sensitivity and less pain. I followed this procedure several times. What also is important to recognize that the cornea (and I don't even know about the deeper layers, please investigate) can take forever to heal, even up to one year. In the meantime, all kinds of discomfort can be expected associated with the healing next to the neuropathy. What also somewhat helped me was self-hypnosis/mantra. (In which I was trying to program myself that my eyes are perfect and all functions were just as they should be etc.) Pains one and a half year later seems too long though. Wishing you all the best.

I saw the Retina specialist on Nov 22 and had a full workup for glaucoma. The only indication of glaucoma is the bleed on the optic nerve. All other indicators are negative and some way negative. So, I will be going for checkups every four months or until something changes. Most meds are beta-blockers and with already low blood pressure, I would have other issues.
As far as the pain in my other eye, it is slowly improving. I don't have pain as often and when I do have an occurance, the pain is not as sharp. This is 12 months after cataract surgery.

You just never know what the journey ahead brings. Good news overall. Hopefully the optic nerve bleed will resolve itself. More frequent checks are great. I'm happy your having less pain in your other eye. After 12 months, I sure hope so! Continued success.

Hi
Happy 2023 to you all and hope will find some answers for our problems
My story is i had my right eye cataract surgery on the 25 of sept 2022 and seven days after the opt started to develop eye pain socket eye sinus ear and headaches pains which is not a great start So i went in and they found nothing wrong every thing was healing fine and put it down to dry eyes which i was given drops for
Six weeks after my right eye they did the left one and thank god so far no major issues as the right one apart from slight sensitivity to light but no major consistent pain like the right one
In the 3 months now since my first visit back for my right first surgery i have been 4 times more with the same problem and the last visit they changed the problem to inflammation and was prescribed Dexamethasone sodium Phosphate drops for 12 weeks which i have in the last 3 months by them but only for 4 weeks treatment length wise They said the inflammation has come back which i found very vague as its been dry eyes all the time problem
And now i have 11 weeks to take the Dexame drops to see if if i can get rid of the discomfort symptoms
The symptoms if ant can relate to them are as follows
Headaches
inner eye pain
socket eyes and surrounding pain
Under the eye cheeks pain feels like sinus pains
Ears neck and down to the shoulder pain
All on my right side of the face mainly I am so down and depressed with it all and wish i never had the cataract surgery and from reading all the posts i could be looking at years of discomfort
I have tried nasal spray Ibuprofen and antibiotics apart from the drops that i have been using for 3 months now none has helped
I know its only been over 3 months and hopefully i can get rid of the pain soon Lets see what 12 weeks of drops will do fingers crossed
P/s When googling eye inflammation came across Uveitis which can occur after cataract surgery Very interesting read which i can relate to but also scary as you can have this pain most of your life Very depressing
Take care and hopefully we all improve and get better soon
Happy 2023

I feel for you. Not cataracts but burning face six months but goes from right eye right cheek down to areas you mention...i have had iridotomy but that was over a year ago.... i sometimes wonder if a "nerve" or something gets damaged either eye surgery or am now wondering needles in gums that side from dentist... yes I think once definite cause is established, whatever it might be, is part of the battle but this not knowing and keep trying to figure out what is causing such pain.... hopefully someone here will be able to shed some more light on the issue....wish you the best...... no gain to pain! J.

Wondering if you have had any progress with your eye pain following cataract surgery? I had cataract surgery in August of 2021 - developed pain around my eye the same day and it has never stopped. I have most of my vision back, in that eye, when the swelling is not too bad. My eye doctor here , after trying multiple treatments over a 6 months period, referred me to optomology at Shands in Gainsville. I have seen three different doctors , had 3 brain and eye MRI"s, and a spinal tap and do not seem any closer to a resolution. I am currently seeing a neurologist at Shands . I would so appreciate any one else's experience with eye pain and swelling after cataract surgery. Thanks so much.

I can relate - I have had constant eye pain as well as some severe headaches for the 18 months since my cataracts surgery. Have had three brain and eye orbit MRI's and a spinal tap and still have no answers. My neurologist just started me on anti seizure medication. I see you post was from 7/22- wondering if you ever got any answers or relief? Thanks.

Hi, I’m having pain after 3 months of my eye surgery, I have the panoptic, and also feel the doctor did not place it properly, is very frustrating because you feel helpless and no one helps. My doctor keeps saying all is looking good, but is definitely not. My vision is worst then when I use to wear contact lenses, and the pain is constant.
My doctor says that maybe my eye doesn’t like the panoptic lens and he recommended to have it change with other intraocular lenses. I will have to pay again. No warranty when you have cataract surgery.
I’m 50yo and never had cataract problems and is not in my family history. When I went for my fist appointment the doctor recommended me to have the cataract surgery instead the lasic surgery because of my age. Now I regret this so much
I only did one eye, I’m afraid to get the other eye done
Please let me know if you find some doctor that can help
I hope you feel better soon

I found this on the internet:

“ Ultrasound can easily diagnose lens dislocation rapidly and accurately without the need for computed tomography. Ultrasound is the preferred diagnostic imaging in resource limited settings.”

“What helps?
This condition can be treated with a quick and safe laser procedure called a YAG laser capsulotomy. Your cataract surgeon will use a laser to make an opening in the cloudy capsule, allowing light to pass through for clear vision. The procedure takes about 5 minutes and does not require an incision.”

I had routine cataract surgery 5 years ago. My vision was perfect but I immediately experienced severe eye pain. The ophthalmologist said it had nothing to do with the eye surgery. A neurological ophthalmologist said it was nerve damage & prescribe gabapetin & Tylenol. After several months of continuing pain, I came across some medical papers by dr. Pedram Hamrah of Tufts Eye Institute. He noted many ophthalmologists are in denial about problems with cataract surgery which can occasionally lead to nerve damage & pain. He recommends the following course of action: confocal microscopy to determine degree of nerve damage; autologous blood serum drops to accelerate nerve healing; steroid eye drops to help with irritation. I gave that information to my ophthalmologist who then reviewed Dr. Hamrah’s papers & approved that course of action. My nerve damage was verified by the confocal microscope test. The autologous eye drops dramatically reduced my pain in 30 days. I went from a hot burning sand sensation in my eye to one of moderate dry eye. I recommend that people google the research papers of Dr. Hamrah to determine if his recommendations are suitable for them if they are having long term post cataract pain.