How to manage eye pain and vision changes after surgery?

Question

Hello doctor,

Last year, I got a piece of metal stuck in my eye and had to have emergency eye surgery. They removed the lens from my eye and put in six stitches. When removing the fourth stitch, a trainee tugged on it because she thought it was broken. However, it was not broken. Once she actually broke it, she inadvertently broke the stitch in half, leaving half of the stitch in my eye.

They said it would not affect anything, but I was not able to open my eyes for two days, and it hurt. Now I have headaches, and my eye hurts. However, at my most recent appointment, they stated that everything was fine, and I wondered if I should consider a second opinion.

The stitch was broken about four months ago, and I have been having headaches and pain in my eye and around my eye. The vision I was getting, even without the lens, is now gone, and it causes my other eye to get blurry at times.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and can understand your concern.

Given your history of eye surgery after a metal injury and the complication with a retained stitch fragment, your ongoing symptoms of headaches, persistent eye pain, and worsening vision are concerning and should not be dismissed as fine. While small suture fragments sometimes dissolve or cause no issues, in some cases, they can lead to irritation, inflammation, infection, scarring, or even changes in eye pressure, all of which could explain your current problems.

Since your vision has declined and you are experiencing pain and headaches, it is reasonable to seek a second opinion from a cornea or anterior segment specialist. They can evaluate whether the retained suture or other post-surgical changes are causing damage.

Additional tests such as slit-lamp examination, corneal topography, and retinal or optic nerve imaging may be needed to rule out complications. Until then, continue with your prescribed drops, but avoid rubbing or straining the eye, and seek urgent care if your pain suddenly worsens, you see flashes or floaters, or you lose more vision.

I hope this answers your query.

Let me know if I need to assist you further.

Thank you.