“What can I do for eye pain after cataract surgery?”

Pain after cataract surgery is rare, but not unheard of. If there is redness or swelling, you need to consult your ophthalmologist. If it is pain exclusively, you might try to apply some ice over the operated eye for 10-minute intervals, and if there are no reasons to avoid the use of anti-inflammatory type drugs, then use some Advil or Motrin or similar agent should be effective in the short term (3-4 days only). The best bet is to circle back with your surgeon and seek guidance, as that person is in the best place to recall if there was anything peculiar or atypical about your surgery. In most cases, the expectation is a few days of mild to moderate discomfort which can be successfully addressed using what I suggested above. Good luck!

KDC

Kenneth D. Candido, M.D.
Professor of Clinical Anesthesiology-UIC
Pain Fellowship Director & Pain Clinic Medical Director
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management
ASIPP Board of Directors
CEO & President of Chicago Anesthesia Associates
CEO & President of Chicago Anesthesia Pain Specialists
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center
3000 N. Halsted St. Suite 823
Chicago, IL 60657
Phone: (773) 296-7937
Fax: (773) 296-3995
kdcandido1@gmail.com
*kdcandido@yahoo.com <kdcandido@yahoo.com>*

Very definitely call the surgeon who did your surgery. You should not be having any great discomfort three days after the surgery.  Any good doctor should have an answering service and a colleague who is covering for him/her, even on a holiday. Diseases and surgical complications do not respect holidays marked on the calendar.

You must discuss this with your surgeon immediately to ensure that you do not have an infection or elevated eye pressure.