Blurry Film after Cataract Surgery

Question: I had cataract surgery in October and my left eye continues to blur or get a film over it. If I blink hard enough this seems to help. It also hurts at times. Is this normal? Should I visit my eye doctor or cataract surgeon?

Answer: Without a clinical exam to fully understand the range of possible reasons that you have a blurry film after your cataract surgery that clears when you blink, we can only offer the following consideration. What you are describing sounds like an abnormality of the tear film or the eye surface. This is not uncommon at all and occurs in as many as 30% of the patients having cataract surgery. It is often attributed to dry eye or inflammation of the eyelid margins called blepharitis although there could be many other reasons. Your best course of action is to return to your cataractsurgeon and ask him/her to evaluate your situation. In almost all cases there multiple ways to improve the eye surface and tear film depending on the actual cause. Be patient as it does require some trial to find the best therapeutic approach. 

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 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 Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.