Dry eyes – Does cataract surgery cause dry eyes?

Cataract surgery doesn’t cause dry eyes on a long-term basis but, during the healing process, your eye may feel dryer than usual. You may also experience a gritty sensation. This is completely normal and nothing to worry about, but if it’s causing you any discomfort, you can use artificial teardrops to lubricate your eye and reduce the dryness.  

You can buy artificial teardrops from your local pharmacist. They’re available in lots of different varieties, including carmellose, hypromellose, carbomer, acetylcysteine and polyvinyl alcohol. If you’re not sure which type to buy, your pharmacist will be able to advise you.  

You should leave at least 5 minutes between using artificial eye drops and the eye drops you’ll be prescribed as part of your standard post-cataract surgery care. 

Pre-existing dry eye conditions often need to be addressed before cataract surgery is carried out, or they could affect the outcome of the surgery, so let your optician and your cataract surgery provider know if you suffer with this condition. 

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