If you or someone in your family is going to have cataract surgery , you may be a little worried about the pain that will occur after the surgery . That's normal. However, with the advancements in medical science , there are now many better ways to manage it. Today, we're going to talk about a special combination of medications that can help reduce pain and make the surgery easier.
What is this medicine?
Simply put, this is a combination of two medications. That is, a liquid made by combining two medications called Phenylephrine and Ketorolac . It can come in the market under names like Omidria.
Imagine, when performing eye surgery, it is much easier for the surgeon to keep the pupil large rather than small. That is what the drug Phenylephrine helps with.
Ketorolac is a drug in the NSAID (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug) class. It is used to control pain and inflammation that may occur after surgery. So, the combination of these two drugs can help make the surgery more successful and minimize pain.
The most important thing is, this is not a medicine that you can take home. It is only used in the hospital or clinic, during surgery. So you don't have to worry about how to take it, what the dosage is. The medical team will take care of everything.
Things to tell your doctor before surgery
It is important that your doctor is fully aware of your health condition before prescribing this medicine to you. Therefore, if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor about them.
- Heart disease : If you have any heart disease.
- High Blood Pressure : If you have high blood pressure.
- Allergies: This is very important. It is especially important to mention any allergies you have to phenylephrine, ketorolac, aspirin, or other NSAIDs. Also, mention any allergies you have to other medications, foods, or dyes.
- Pregnancy: Be sure to inform your doctor if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Hiding this information can lead to unnecessary complications. So be honest and discuss everything with your doctor.
Side effects and things to be aware of
Like any medicine, this one can cause minor side effects in some people. But there's nothing to worry about. Most of these are not serious. However, it's important to know what these side effects are and what to do if they occur.
| Side effect / sign | What to do |
|---|---|
| Notify your doctor immediately. | |
| Severe allergic reactions (skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue) | As these can be serious, inform the doctor or nurse immediately. |
| Eye injury or increased pain (If there is an increase in eye pain, inflammation, or soreness inside the eye) | Although it is normal to have some discomfort after surgery, if it becomes severe or new sores develop, tell your doctor immediately. |
| Usually not serious (but tell your doctor if it persists) | |
| Sensitivity to light | It is normal to have some sensitivity to the eyes for a few days after surgery. This can be controlled by wearing sunglasses and avoiding bright light. |
Be careful after surgery.
After surgery, your vision may be slightly blurred due to the effects of this medication or the nature of the surgery. This is normal. Therefore, you should avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving or using machinery, until your vision has fully recovered. Ask your doctor when you can resume these activities.
Will there be problems with other medications?
This combination of medications has not been reported to cause any major problems with other medications. However, it is best to be safe by telling your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including medications for other conditions, vitamins, herbal products, and even supplements) before your surgery.
What if the dosage of the medicine increases?
Since this medicine is administered by a trained medical professional in a hospital, the risk of overdose is very low. This is not something you should worry about. If you suspect poisoning with any medicine, you should go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately. If necessary, you can also call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Take-Home Message
- Phenylephrine and Ketorolac are a combination of medications given to control pain and swelling during eye surgery.
- This is not a medicine you can take home. It is something that doctors only use in the hospital, during surgery.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any heart disease, high blood pressure, and allergies, especially to aspirin or NSAIDs, before surgery.
- If you experience any serious symptoms after surgery, such as eye swelling, severe pain, or bruising, notify your doctor immediately.
- Avoid driving until your vision is clear. Wear sunglasses if your eyes are sensitive to sunlight.
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