Trying to determine what to do.

[mroker]

Hello everyone, I have just had translab surgery at House Clinic a little over a week ago. I am hoping to get some advice...

After surgery, my facial nerve is fine. I have full range of motion and my eye can blink fine. However, I am unsure whether my eye is producing drops or what is happening because it is constantly red. I am afraid something can go wrong with this eye over time if I don't do something about it. Dr.Stephen told me to get the refresh drops and I use them a few times per day but the eye is still red, blurry, and seems to be getting worse.

Is this normal? What can I do about it?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Kerrybr92]

I am glad your eye can blink and you do not have any paralysis.  The facial nerve also functions to produce tears.  So there may be a chance that although it appears as though it has not been damaged maybe the tear function has.

I had damage to my facial nerve but it was not cut.  I regained almost all of my movement except a full blink and I have not produced tears since the surgery.  About a year after the surgery when it was obvious I would not regain the tear function I was fitted with a PROSE scleral lens.

I would look for an ophthalmologist who could examine your eye.  Preferably one who is a corneal specialist.

My eye doctor always warned me that it my eye got red it means it is drying out and there could be corneal damage.  My advice to you is not to use the drops as they only last a few minutes or so.  I would use refresh pm or some kind of lube.  It is not all that pleasant because your eye stays blurry but if you are already having blurred vision then at least your cornea will be protected.

Good luck.