Immediately after cataract surgery, you may experience some cloudiness due to swelling and edema of the cornea, but don’t worry, this will usually subside within a few days.
Now, most people find that the fog clears up quickly, but those with conditions like Fuchs’ dystrophy or keratoconus may find the fog lingers longer, especially if their cataracts are as stubborn as a jar cap.
If the swelling lasts longer than your least favorite houseguest, say three months, you should wait to see if it goes down. However, if it just causes a little blurry vision in the morning, a few drops should do the trick. If your vision is unclear, consider a corneal transplant to restore clear vision.
What is corneal edema?
Corneal edema is a condition in which the cornea fills with fluid and has a flare-up as it fights off infection or inflammation. If left untreated, you may find yourself blinking through blurry vision and at risk of going blind. Corneal edema can be caused by: Cataract Surgery in LABut don’t worry, it usually heals.
Is corneal swelling normal after cataract surgery?
Corneal swelling, or floater, is common after cataract surgery and usually appears a few days after surgery. This swelling occurs because the cornea, the clear window at the front of the eye, takes time to return to its normal shape. Any such surgery, including surgery to achieve monovision, can cause temporary changes such as floater as your eyes adjust.
Your vision may become blurred temporarily, but be patient – this usually resolves within a few weeks. In some cases, your vision may remain blurred, but this is rare.
Why does the cornea swell after cataract surgery?
Here are some of the reasons why patients may experience corneal swelling after cataract surgery in Los Angeles:
1. Toxic reactions
In rare cases, the medicines and preparations used during cataract surgery can cause minor eye discomfort.
This invader is called toxic anterior segment syndrome, and it can cause a rather spectacular condition in which your cornea literally swells. But don’t worry: with proper treatment after surgery, this uninvited guest will usually quietly go away.
2. Advanced brown cataract
If you have severe cataract surgery, your cornea may become rough and you may experience swelling after surgery. When treating severe cataracts with phacoemulsification, your surgeon will expend a lot of energy destroying the cataract nucleus, which may result in clouding of the cornea.
It’s wise to get ahead of the competition and schedule your cataract surgery early to prevent the cataract from progressing too far.
3. Weakness of existing corneal endothelium
The corneal endothelium may be weakened in cases such as Fuchs endothelial dystrophy, resolved viral keratitis, or previous corneal injury. Additional eye diseases such as glaucoma or uveitis may further weaken the corneal endothelium.
This makes these corneas more susceptible to swelling during cataract surgery. Usually, this swelling resolves on its own. However, in the rare cases where the swelling does not resolve, it is usually because the original damage to the cornea was significant.
Diagnosis of corneal edema
After you discuss your health history and symptoms with your doctor, he or she will perform a thorough eye examination. This may include:
- Check the cornea for scratches or cloudiness.
- Tools such as a slit lamp and ophthalmoscope are used to magnify and examine the fine details of your eye.
- They can get out a pachymeter and use ultrasound technology to measure the thickness of the cornea, which is like an inside look at the health of the eye.
Conclusion
If you have corneal swelling after cataract surgery, hang in there! It’s likely to go away on its own within 1-3 months. If the swelling is mild, it won’t affect your vision and may not require treatment.
But if you start your day with blurry vision, simple eye drops can help reduce the swelling, and in the rare cases where swelling lingers like an unwanted guest, a corneal transplant may be the way to restore your vision.