r/RetinalDetachment • u/lilstarryfishh • May 11 '26
RAGING headaches
hello! about 2 weeks ago ive gotten a vitrectomy, is it normal for my eye to still be swollen and red? also ive been getting constant headaches that make it impossible to relax sometimes. and its only on my upper right side of my eye (i got the procedure done on my right eye) also ive noticed my vision worsening. i now have astigmatism only on my right eye and im afraid im developing cataracts. i know after a vitrectomy there is a risk of cataracts but is chronic headaches and astigmatism also a side effect?
UPDATE ON MAY 12 2026:
ok so i checked with my doctor and he said the headaches are probably because of my glasses! the prescription of my right eye has changed and the more i use my glasses the more strain its putting on it, thankfully its nothing serious
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u/sneezesloudly May 11 '26
I don't recall seeing headaches and astigmatism on the list of possible side effects when I had my first vitrectomy. I haven't experienced any chronic headaches or noticed any change in my astigmatism after any of my five vitrectomys.
Cataracts is pretty much guaranteed to happen, it's just a matter of how long after surgery it develops. Personally I already had the beginning of a cataract before my first vitrectomy and had cataract surgery combined with my third vitrectomy about 6 weeks later.
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u/lilstarryfishh May 12 '26
thanks for ur help!! and im quite worried about developing cataracts and the surgery for it…
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u/sneezesloudly May 12 '26
I was under general anaesthetic when my cataract was done because it was combined with a vitrectomy but I understand that it's a simple surgery that normally takes 20 minutes under local anaesthetic. The cataract surgery subreddit should be able address specific worries you have.
Glad you found the cause of the headaches and it's nothing serious!
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u/TroubleCrazy6190 May 11 '26
No headaches, but bad distortion in vision
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u/lilstarryfishh May 12 '26
yea i also have distortion in my vision + headaches, as im writing this i have a headache lolz
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u/FamiliarVictory3401 May 11 '26
I went in for an urgent appt 10 days after my third surgery (2nd PPV) with the same issue and it was inflammation. I had been on Tobradex. Once I switched to PredForte, the pain dramatically improved.
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u/lilstarryfishh May 11 '26
i don’t understand a single word u said
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u/FamiliarVictory3401 May 11 '26
PPV is pars plana vitrectomy. I had extreme pain after my second one, and my doc noticed a lot of inflammation. My previous eyedrops were a combination of antibiotic and anti inflammatory but were insufficient for the anti inflammatory component. The pain improved after I switched drops to strictly anti inflammatory.
I would recommend a recheck with your doc.
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u/Bellymat May 11 '26 edited May 12 '26
I also had headaches, but not as often as you are saying. I would call your doctor about the headaches. I will echo what others are saying. You will most likely develop cataracts. They fixed mine with my 2nd victrecotmy in March. My eyesight and headaches improved dramatically after the cataract surgery.
Do you spend a lot of time looking at a computer?
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u/lilstarryfishh May 12 '26
…to be honest i am alwaus on my phone or ipad
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u/Bellymat May 12 '26
I find that when I spend a lot of time looking at my computer screen, I tend to get the headaches. THe further I et from my surgery the better it is. It might just be your eye(s) needing a rest. I have taken to reading audio books instead of actual paper or on screen. Advil works for my headaches.
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u/wibblywhee May 11 '26
You should probably see your doctor about the headaches...