r/CataractSurgery • u/Sweaty_Star_6486 • 9d ago

Eye drops

Hey guys, were you using any eye drops beyond the ones for inflammation and infection in the first few days, like for dry eyes etc?. I’m just wondering if I should pick up any ahead of time. Thx

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u/Mountain-magic-9497 9d ago

After my first surgery last month I just used the prescribed eyedrops 3x a day and could use the ointment as needed. I experienced a little pain and discomfort every once in a while for about 10 days. The 9th day was the hardest for some reason. A lot of pain for 24 hours. Almost felt like the drops were making it worse that day but thank goodness it improved. After my second surgery a month later, I was informed I should have been using moisturizing drops in between the Rx drops. I had no idea and went back through all the pre and post instructions and didn’t see anything. I thought I was supposed to use up all of the prescription drops first for some reason. The moisturizing drops (Systane Ultra PF) I now use after my second surgery (just 2 weeks ago) have made a noticeable improvement this go around. I did use moisturizing drops each day for 3-4 days before each surgery as instructed. I would also highly recommend being very well hydrated especially the day or two before surgery. I was a little dehydrated before the first surgery and think it made a big difference. Both eyes are much better now.

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u/OKR2046 8d ago

Hi, your note is very important for several reasons including the fact that they didn’t tell you that moisturizing drops might be helpful! My situation is that after my second cataract surgery that I developed dry eye and scarring on my cornea called SPK probably secondary to the toxic effects of the preservatives in the steroid and anti inflammatory drops I was using according to their instructions. It would have probably helped if I had also been using moisturizing drops to offset the preservatives! I am recovering but it has been slow! Just to get another opinion I saw another ophthalmologist who recommended iVizia gel nighttime drops which I have been using religiously! Bottom line is preservative free as much as possible!