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

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.

Hello Everyone-
I also have a sad story with after cataract surgery issues....I never expected any problems, I heard this was easy and painless surgery!
First eye was OK...not great..lots of discomfort--BUT the second one was a problem from the first--not only pain, but constant blurring every time my eye moved... of course dry eye was blamed at the beginning, but 5 docs don't think my eyes are really very dry---however, they just tell me to use artificial tears--which really do nothing for me. This constant blurring is making me crazy and depressed. Have tried steriods in that eye for a month---no change. Also tried the gabapentin and my eyes burnt terribly...so no help. All these top Boston docs say nothing wrong with the lens...but have no solutions.----- Anyone have any such problems???

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.

Hello Everyone.. Has anyone had this continual blurring or defocusing with every eye movement after cataract surgery??? 5 months now and no improvement with artificial tears, blood serum tears, steroid ointment, heat compresses, etc.............some drs. say dry eye, but then say my eyes don't really look so dry!!! So hard to live in this blurry world. Neuro ophthalmologist says gabapentin would help with all the discomfort, but not the blurring... So basically, no one knows what's going on....Eyes "look" fine. I think my eyes are uncomfortable because of all the blurring~~~!!!! I am miserable. Any thoughts???????

I feel very uncertain and anxious about my eyes, after more then half a year after abrassio procedure in both eyes (scraping of cornea). Now also diagnosed with Thygeson. The headaches are awful and make me doubt if there is not more going on (other diseases). I am on quarterly check ups with the eye hospital where I live (Rotterdam, the Netherlands). Constant defocusing, very tired eyes. Off and on clear vision/blurryness. As said awful headaches, stinging eyes and lots of “activity” going on in the eyes. I think 90% of my time my eye issues are on my mind. Awful.

I'm so sorry for your suffering...I feel your pain and frustration....what do the docs tell you to do?? Dealing with your eyes all day really sucks.................

Charlief---Hi. I also had cataract surgery 5 months ago that left one eye with constant discomfort and BLURRING...You must be in the Boston area, I have heard of Dr. Hamrah. I actually saw another "neuro" ophthalmologist here in Boston who basically prescribed the same protocol. And to use Gabapentin.... However, I did not have a confocal microscopy --what is that? Did you have constant blurring with eye movement?? I did try the blood serum drops and unfortunately developed lots of BURNING!!! Did you have any of that?? Also using steroid drops ....I believe it is very long wait to see Dr. Hamrah... Was he nice???---How are you doing?? Would like to talk to you more..All the other ophthalmologists just say dry eye, but don't really see my eyes as very dry!!! Don't know really what to do any more. Thanks very much.