Cataract Surgery and Bloodshot Eyes

Question: I had cataract surgery (right eye) about 13 months ago. An intraocular lens was inserted. During past year I tend to have minor 'blood shot' eye that usually it disappears in afternoon. What might be causing this?

Answer: A bloodshot eye after Cataract Surgery is not a common occurrence nor is it unheard of. The fact that it is a minor event is good.You do not say whether there is any irritation or discomfort with the "early in the day" bloodshot and this is important. You also do not say whether there is any discharge-either watery or sticky or whether there is any irritation or redness of the margins of your eyelids. There are many possible causes of some transient redness after Cataract Surgery including dry eye, minor eyelid inflammation or infection or chronic blepharitis, improper closure of your eyelids during sleep ad on and on, all of which can be investigated and diagnosed and a treatment plan recommended by your Cataract Surgeon. Your next step is to schedule a visit to your Cataract Surgeon and be sure to tell them all of the details of your complaint as well as making sure that they know all of the medications you are taking including OTC eye drops for the redness.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on www.aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of www.aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.