My 88 year old mother has corneal edema that causes pain and discomfort in one eye. Any experience with this?

I'd discuss all your concerns with the surgeon. Make sure they are told UP FRONT what your mother is capable of. She may need to have someone with her 24/7 to keep her from rubbing eyes. Even close to her all night while she sleeps. They can put a protective device over the eye, but, she could remove it. Also, will they put a protective contact over the cornea? Also, ask about how to keep her the most comfortable. Would she benefit from lubricating ointment or gel drops? Has she been diagnosed with dry eye? You can have it and not know it. Doctor can tell. I use daily ointment and gel. Drops are not enough.

I have corneal abrasions due to Salzman's nodules. My pain is intermittent. Some days terrible. Other days, tolerable. Once I had surgery on corneal nodule. For me, they only numbed the eye. They wrapped me up like a mummy, so, I could not use my hands during the procedure. Then, put on a protective contact for a few days. Doctor removed it later. I wore a device over the eye in the car. That's to protect it in case of car accident. Used antibiotic ointment for 10 days and steroid drops for 2 years. Finally had to come off because they cause increase in eye pressure. Pressure is not my issue, but, the drops will cause it.

All I can say is that you need very good, experienced doctor. My heart goes out to her. Eye pain is very stressful. I have the best ophthamologists in this country and it's still a struggle. And, stress makes it worse.

I hadn't heard of corneal edema so I looked it up and found this (from Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust, so thanks to them) which I hope might be helpful to anyone else who's interested, too:


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Corneal oedema*

The cornea has a thin layer of cells on its inner surface called endothelial cells that pump water out of the cornea constantly to keep it thin and clear. These cells are vital. If they fail the cornea becomes thicker and more opaque (This condition is called corneal oedema). As a result the cornea is cloudy and the eyesight is poor. Corneal oedema can also be painful because the swollen surface of the cornea is bumpy and prone to abrasions.

The endothelial cells can be fewer in number in Fuchs dystrophy, and some are lost or damaged as a result of operations inside the eye such as cataract surgery. Corneal transplant rejection also destroys the endothelial cells on the transplant, so a rejected corneal transplant also becomes cloudy and thickened.

In the early stages of corneal oedema the vision is cloudy on waking but then clears during the day. In the advanced stages the vision is cloudy all the time and the eye can be painful. Lubricant drops or ointment may help the discomfort and may help the clarity of vision in some cases.

Sometimes, the use of concentrated saline or contact lenses or attempting to dry the cornea using a hairdryer may help the symptoms, although these treatments are more controversial, may be potentially dangerous and should only be used if recommended specifically by your eye doctor.

* US edema = UK oedema; they're pronounced the same.

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I assume your mother's eye doctor did recommend the sodium chloride ointment and drops, yes?

Do you have any idea of what might have caused this condition in your mother?

The only other thing I can think to mention is that another three weeks seems a long time to leave an elderly lady in such discomfort. Is there no way of twisting somebody's arm and getting her appointment brought forward?

God bless her. I have corneal and other eye issues myself, though, not the one you describe. It's very stressful. Good that you are seeing an expert. I'd try to get another appointment and get at least two opinions on diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Teaching hospitals, generally, are known for having the best doctors and facilities for serious eye conditions. I've been under doctor's care for over two years! Best wishes for your mother.