Best treatment for dry eyes after cataract surgery

[Gimcrack]

Hello. What are the best treatments you've found for dry eyes after cataract surgery?

[Hokucat]

Not sure how long it’s been since you had cataract surgery, how severe the dryness is, and if you had a pre-existing dry eye condition prior to surgery. But in general, the surface of your eye and tear film may have been compromised by the surgical incisions, and pre and post-surgery use of the required antibiotic, steroid, and anti-inflammatory eye drops that contain the Benzalkonium chloride (BAK) preservative. BAK is known to cause dry eyes or exacerbate pre-existing dry eyes.

To help your eyes heal after surgery, autologous serum tears (eye drops made from one’s blood) might be helpful. Serum tears have similar components to your natural tears, which help protect and heal your eyes. My doctor had me use serum tears extensively leading up to and after cataract surgery. I had cataract surgery two years ago.

To provide more immediate relief, a thicker OTC preservative-free artificial tear that stays on the eyeball longer like Genteal Tears or Bion Tears may help. Also, a potential Rx option is Miebo eye drops. I’ve recently found Miebo the longest lasting and best substitute for lack of tear film, for me at least. My eyes are more comfortable, and my vision is sharper and brighter using these drops.

[littlestar1958]

I had cataract surgery 19 months ago and ended up with dry eyes from it. I should have complained to my surgeon’s optometrist at their office sooner about how uncomfortable my eyes felt. At my followup appointments the optometrist would just tell me to keep trying different artificial tears. But for some reason the preservative free artificial tears I tried would give me relief for about 5 minutes and then my eyes felt even dryer.

After reading these forums I suspected I had inflammation and dry eyes. I called my eye doctor’s office in May and explained to them just how uncomfortable my eyes felt (and luckily caught a cancellation that day) and was finally diagnosed with moderate dry eye syndrome. They had me start generic Restasis (cyclosporine) as they said I had inflammation and aqueous dry eye. They told me it was not common for cataract surgery to cause dry eyes. I guess I was one of the unlucky ones.

I have been on the generic cyclosporine 8 weeks today. I felt like it started to work a little after one month but I can really tell a difference now at 8 weeks. My eyes are feeling so much better. The doctor told me it would take time to work and to have patience. I read about an organic artificial tear in the Dry Eye Store called Eyeganics that just has 3 ingredients - glycerin, salt and water - and I sometimes use that in the late afternoon if my eyes feel dry in between the prescription cyclosporine drops. I also occasionally use a water mist spray called Nature’s Tears Eyemist that I read about on these forums.

Good luck. These forums and the Dry Eye Shop info on products has really helped me. I have been a lurker for about a year and decided to register and contribute to the forums.