I had eyelid surgery last Wednesday and have concerns.

Question

The operation to correct my upper eye lids seem to have gone well but only today my right eye mainly keeps watering eye lis quite swollen and very itchy left one isn't as bad.... seems strange that i have eye ointment chloramphenicol ... It states that can make eyes blurry for a little while but this is really uncomfortable now I'm putting a cool pack over my eyes twice daily and bathing them the same should i continue with this and stop using this ointment ....??

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Call the office.  If it is after hours, tell the service that you just had surgery and it is urgent the doctor calls you back.  I have to ask how old is your surgeon?  The reason is that Chloramphenicol ophthalmic ointment is not used that often anymore.  It was new to market in 1949.  The reason we do not use Chloramphenicol is that it is rarely associated with bone marrow suppression.  Primarily for that reason, there are choices that are not associated with this rare risk.  An excellent example is erythromycin ophthalmic ointment.  One other issue with Chloramphenicol is that is can be irritating.  It may be the itchy sensation you have is related to this.  Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment usually is not associated with an allergic reaction, although it can happen.

Edward E. Dickerson, IV, MD · Answer

Is seems that you had some irritation to your cornea, this could have happened during surgery.  It will get better once it starts healing, it could take weeks just continue with what you are doing. Of course, if it does not improve and starts to worsen then please call your surgeon for a follow up.

Mark Gaon, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Swelling, itching/burning, and watering of the eyes after eyelid surgery can occur if there was irritation to your cornea during the surgery or postoperatively. You may have rubbed the eye inadvertently while you were still anesthetized and caused a small scratch which is now irritating and causing your symptoms. You are currently doing all the right things. Continue with the ointment and drops prescribed by your doctor and place a call in to the office to discuss your symptoms.

I had eyelid surgery last Wednesday and have concerns.

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I had eyelid surgery last Wednesday and have concerns.

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Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.