Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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The Operation
During the operation the surgeon will have removed the surface cells of the central 8mm of your cornea. This layer of cells is called the corneal epithelium. This type of crosslinking is known as “epithelium-off” crosslinking and is the most effective. The corneal epithelium is extremely sensitive, and so the eye is painful after crosslinking.
During the operation the eye is numbed or anesthetised with local anaesthetic drops, to reduce pain. Once the effect of these drops wears off, your eye will begin to hurt.
After the operation
After crosslinking your eye will be sore and light sensitive. To begin with it will have a yellow-green tinge from the drops and a small pupil. It is fine to use the eye to look at a screen or watch TV, but you may not feel like it.
Pain relief
Because the postoperative pain can be severe, it is important to take regular pain relief. You will be given the following drugs for pain:
- Paracetamol
- Take regularly in the first 2 days
- IbuprofenTake
- regularly in the first 2 days
- Morphine
- Take as required in the first 2 days.
- Morphine is a very effective painkiller but can make you drowsy, nauseous, and constipated. You may find it helpful, especially on the first night when the pain is worst. Do not exceed the prescribed dose. Keep well hydrated and eat a fibre-rich diet to avoid constipation.
- Local anaesthetic drops
- These are often the most effective at reducing pain, but unfortunately also slow healing and if used enough will damage your cornea. Ideally you should not use them at all. We give them for “just in case” use if you feel the pain is becoming unbearable. They will give you 20-30 minutes respite. Use 1 or 2 drops from the little vial you have been given, which can be used more than once.
How long will the pain last?
It is often severe on the day and night of surgery. It is usually a little better by the next day, and much better by the third day.
What about my vision?
Your eye will be very blurred for the first few days after crosslinking. The vision will usually return to close to pre-crosslinking levels by a week but may not be fully back for a month and sometimes even longer. Remember, crosslinking is to protect against further loss in vision, and may not give any improvement in vision. Some patients do experience an improvement, but this often takes several months or even a year or two.
Post-op appointments
Your first outpatient appointment is usually after 2 days. If a soft contact lens has been used at the end of surgery, it is usually removed at this appointment. If the contact lens falls out before this don’t worry, and don’t try to put it back. The next appointment depends on how your eye is doing; it is often after a week.
Eye drops
You will be given 2 different bottles of eye drops. Please start them on the day of surgery once you get home. One is an antibiotic, and the other is a steroid drop to prevent excessive inflammation.
If you have any concerns after your operation, please contact the staff in the Eye Treatment Centre on the following
| From 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday: | 0300 373 5884 |
| From 5pm to 9am and at weekends: | 0300 614 5000 and ask for the Eye Doctor on call |
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Ophthalmology service.
About this information
Service:
Ophthalmology
Reference:
QQ/056
Approval date:
1 May 2025
Review date:
1 May 2028
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.