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Suggest Remedy For Swelling Eyelids And Burning Sensation In Eye

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Posted on Tue, 2 Sep 2014
Question: Hi
I had cataract surgery in my right eye on July 23,14 and the first day everything felt fine, however, since then I have had terrific burning and stinging and a swelling of the upper eye lid. I took the prescribed three drops in the eye for two weeks which were quite painful, however since then the burning and stinging is still continuing. I have been taking Xalatan and Cospot in that eye for glaucoma. Before the surgery taking these drops were uncomfortable, but since the surgery I can hardly bear the extreme burning and stinging. I have also had dry eyes in the past and was taking artificial tears which helped the dry eyes, but taking them now does not seem to affect the dry eyes. I feel as if I have chunks of whatever in the right eye. I have gone back to my eye doctor several times and he reports the cataract surgery afterwards looks excellent, but the swelling eyelid and constant burning he states is the dry eye. I am looking for some type of relief. Any suggestions.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
side effects of eyedrops aggravated by surgery.

Detailed Answer:
Hello Madam
Welcome to health care magic.

I am Dr. Dadapeer K, an ophthalmologist and I answer health problems related to eye.

I reviewed your history.
It seems from the history that you have undergone cataract surgery recently and you have been using xalatan and cosopt eye drops for treatment of glaucoma.
The symptoms of burning sensation and swelling of the eyelids can be caused by side effects of these xalatan or more commonly by cosopt eye drops.
Since you are having dry eyes also these symptoms are probably more aggravated as a result of inflammation induced by cataract surgery.

So I feel these symptoms are because of combined effect of xalatan and cosopt, per existing dry eyes and inflammation induced by surgery.

Hence the treatment should address all the conditions. You need to continue refresh tears as you are using and you may need to increase the frequency.
Steroid eye drops or other appropriate antiinflammatory eye drops are needed for 4-6 weeks following cataract surgery.
Among xalatan and cosopt, cosopt is more commonly associated with burning sensation, hence if symptoms are severe you can consider replacing this by another drug after consulting with your glaucoma specialist doctor.

But I would like reassure you as the inflammation induced by cataract surgery decreases your symptoms will come down, no need to worry.

Hope I have answered your question and the information is helpful to you.

Thank you
With regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dadapeer K (1 hour later)
Hi Dr Dadapeer K.
Thank you for your prompt response to my question. I do have a couple of other questions about my dilemma. Prior to the surgery I was given drops to put into the eye two days before which at that time already aggravated my eye. Following the surgery I was given Sodium Opthamalic Solution, Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate Opthamolic Solution, and Tobramycin & Dexamethasone Opthamolic Solution of which I to take these drops three time a day for two weeks and then for the next five days once a day. In addition to these drops I was to continue my Xalatan and Cosopt. All of these drops literally burned so bad that I could hardly stand it. I went to see my Dr and he said the cataract surgery looked great and that my cornea was quite dry and he then plucked an ingrown eyelash out and said that should ease the problems and I should take the Refresh preservative free eye ointment every two hours, which I have been doing and none of this has alleviated any of the burning and stinging I still have. I have trouble seeing out the eye which is probably attributed to the ointment but the pain is still excruciating. Any suggestions and how long all of this might last or do I have to look forward to other alternative procedures.
I am normally a very healthy individual and the only medication other than my eyedrops which I take are Verapamil for high blood pressure.
Thank You

The one sort of medication was Flurbiprofen Sodiium
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
This should resolve by 3-4 weeks after surgery.

Detailed Answer:
Hello Madam
Thank you for the follow up question.

Flurbiprofen sodium eye drops is a non steroidal antiinflammatory drug and it is started before surgery to prevent complications like cystoid macular edema which can occur after surgery.
This medication is known to cause stinging sensation.
Other eye drops like dexamethasone and tobramycin are required in the postoperative period for control of inflammation and to prevent occurrence of infection.

You can stop Flurbiprofen sodium if you are using for relief from burning sensation.


If the symptoms does not resolve even after 3-4 weeks after surgery you need to undergo evaluation to assess the severity of dry eye. If dry eye is severe not responding to use of artificial tears other treatment options like lacrimal punctual plugs or cyclosporine eye drops needs to be tried under supervision of your ophthalmologist.

Hope I have answered your question and the information is helpful to you.

Thank you
With regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dadapeer K

Ophthalmologist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 5709 Questions

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Suggest Remedy For Swelling Eyelids And Burning Sensation In Eye

Brief Answer: side effects of eyedrops aggravated by surgery. Detailed Answer: Hello Madam Welcome to health care magic. I am Dr. Dadapeer K, an ophthalmologist and I answer health problems related to eye. I reviewed your history. It seems from the history that you have undergone cataract surgery recently and you have been using xalatan and cosopt eye drops for treatment of glaucoma. The symptoms of burning sensation and swelling of the eyelids can be caused by side effects of these xalatan or more commonly by cosopt eye drops. Since you are having dry eyes also these symptoms are probably more aggravated as a result of inflammation induced by cataract surgery. So I feel these symptoms are because of combined effect of xalatan and cosopt, per existing dry eyes and inflammation induced by surgery. Hence the treatment should address all the conditions. You need to continue refresh tears as you are using and you may need to increase the frequency. Steroid eye drops or other appropriate antiinflammatory eye drops are needed for 4-6 weeks following cataract surgery. Among xalatan and cosopt, cosopt is more commonly associated with burning sensation, hence if symptoms are severe you can consider replacing this by another drug after consulting with your glaucoma specialist doctor. But I would like reassure you as the inflammation induced by cataract surgery decreases your symptoms will come down, no need to worry. Hope I have answered your question and the information is helpful to you. Thank you With regards