It's normal for anyone to feel a little scared and nervous when it comes to eye surgery, isn't it? Especially when facing something like cataract surgery, it's very important that the surgery is successful and that the eye heals quickly after the surgery. So today we're talking about a special injection that's given to your eye during the surgery to help with that healing process. Its name is Dexamethasone.
What is Dexamethasone?
Simply put, Dexamethasone is a steroid type of medication. In medical terms, we call this ``Corticosteroid''. Now you may be wondering if steroids are good for the eyes. Yes, they are very beneficial when used correctly under the supervision of a doctor.
Think about it, when we get an injury somewhere on our body, that area swells and turns red, right? It's a natural reaction of the body. Similarly, even after eye surgery, there can be subtle swelling, redness, and maybe a little itching inside the eye. We call this `(inflammation)`. So, what the Dexamethasone injection does is control that swelling and redness, reduce the discomfort in the eye, and help it heal faster.
The most important thing is that this is not a medicine that you can take home and put in your eyes for a few days. This vaccine is given to you by your doctor during your eye surgery, right in the operating room. So you don't have to worry about using it.
Things to tell your doctor before surgery
Before undergoing any medical treatment, it is extremely important to give your doctor a complete account of your health. This is also true for this medicine. If you have any of the following conditions, please tell your doctor before the procedure.
| Your situation | Why should you inform? |
|---|---|
| An existing eye infection | Steroid medications can sometimes worsen infections, so if there is an existing infection, it should be treated before surgery. |
| Cataracts or glaucoma | If you already have these conditions, your doctor will be especially concerned about how steroid use affects eye pressure. |
| Allergies to other medicines, foods or substances | If you are allergic to Dexamethasone or any other steroid, informing your doctor in advance can help prevent a severe allergic reaction. |
| Being pregnant or trying to get pregnant | Any medication should be used only after careful consideration during pregnancy. Therefore, it is essential to inform your doctor about this. |
| Breastfeeding the baby | This information is important for the doctor to determine whether a certain amount of the medication can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
Are there any interactions with other medications?
Since this injection is usually given only to the eye during surgery, there is a very low chance of it causing problems with other medications you are taking. However, for your own safety, tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies). Also, do not put anything in your eye after surgery, except for the eye drops your doctor prescribes.
Things to consider after surgery
The most important thing you need to do after receiving this vaccine is to follow the doctor's instructions exactly.
- Follow-up: Go to the clinic exactly on the days your doctor tells you to come back. This is something you should definitely do. The doctor will want to check things like how your eye is healing and your intraocular pressure.
- Vision changes: Your vision may be slightly blurry for a few days after surgery. This is normal. Therefore, you should avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until your doctor says "it's okay."
- Follow instructions: Follow all instructions given by the doctor exactly, such as the eye drops to be used after surgery, how to protect your eyes, and precautions to take when bathing and sleeping.
What are the possible side effects?
As with any medicine, this vaccine can cause minor side effects in some people. But don't worry, these are very rare. The most important thing is to tell your doctor if you feel anything unusual.
| Side effects and what to do | |
|---|---|
Symptoms that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue. |
| Eye pain | Unbearable pain, beyond the normal discomfort that occurs after surgery. |
| Long-term changes in vision | A change in vision that is persistent or severe, rather than the blurring that occurs in the early days. |
| Excessive redness of the eye | If the redness increases instead of decreasing over time. |
| Sensitivity to light | Difficulty seeing in normal light. |
Symptoms that should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome | |
| Dry eye | A feeling of lack of tears or sand in the eye. |
| Eye swelling or discomfort | A bothersome swelling or discomfort that exceeds the normal level. |
| Temporary vision changes | Temporary things like blurred vision and seeing things as two. |
In general, if you accidentally overdose on any medicine, you should immediately go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU). Also, if you need information about a medicine or a poisonous substance, you can call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital.
Take-Home Message
- Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid injection given to reduce swelling and redness after eye surgery.
- This is not a medicine you can take home. The doctor will inject it into your eye during the surgery.
- It is very important to clearly tell the doctor about any other illnesses, allergies, and medications you are taking before surgery.
- If you experience eye pain, excessive redness, or persistent changes in vision after surgery, tell your doctor immediately.
- Be sure to go to the clinic on the days the doctor says to come and get your eyes checked. It's essential for the health of your eyes.
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