Postoperative Eye Inflammation: What to Watch and How to Care for It

Inflammation after eye surgery is common. Your eye reacts to the incision or repair, and a bit of redness or soreness can be expected. The tricky part is spotting the difference between normal healing and something that needs prompt care. This page gives clear, practical steps so you know what to do after cataract, LASIK, glaucoma, or other eye procedures.

What causes it and how it looks

Surgery disturbs tissues and triggers the immune system. That causes swelling, redness, light sensitivity, and mild pain. If symptoms start within hours or a few days and then slowly improve, that’s usually normal. Watch for these common signs: increased tearing, gritty feeling, blurred vision that slowly clears, and mild redness around the incision.

Not all inflammation is routine. Worsening pain, sudden vision loss, heavy pus-like discharge, or a high fever can point to infection (endophthalmitis) or other complications. A sudden spike in eye pressure from steroid drops may cause headaches, eye pain, or worsening vision—mention this to your surgeon if it happens.

Common treatments and how to use them

Doctors mainly use topical steroid drops and NSAID drops to calm inflammation. Steroids reduce immune response and swelling; NSAIDs help with pain and inflammation. Antibiotic drops are often given right after surgery to prevent infection. Sometimes a short oral antibiotic or steroid is added for more serious cases.

Use drops exactly as prescribed. Tilt your head back, pull the lower lid down, place the drop in the pocket, and close your eye for a minute. Wait 5–10 minutes between different drops so each one works properly. Skipping doses or stopping early can slow healing or raise the risk of complications.

If your surgeon prescribes steroid drops long-term, expect follow-up checks for eye pressure. Steroids can raise intraocular pressure in some people. If pressure rises, the doctor may lower the steroid dose or switch medications.

Cold compresses and avoiding heavy lifting or bending can reduce swelling early on. Don’t rub your eye, and keep water, makeup, and dust away from the wound while it heals.

When to call your surgeon now

Get immediate help if you have severe eye pain, sudden or major vision loss, increasing redness that spreads, thick yellow or green discharge, or a fever with eye symptoms. These signs need same-day review because infections after surgery can cause permanent vision loss if not treated fast.

Routine follow-ups matter. Even if you feel fine, keep your post-op visits. The surgeon checks healing, adjusts medications, and catches issues early.

Remember: mild redness and soreness can be part of normal recovery, but anything that gets worse or comes on fast should be checked. Quick action protects your vision and speeds safe recovery after eye surgery.