[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/why-is-my-eye-pressure-high-after-cataract-surgery\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/why-is-my-eye-pressure-high-after-cataract-surgery\/","headline":"Why is my eye pressure high after cataract surgery\u200b?","name":"Why is my eye pressure high after cataract surgery\u200b?","description":"Why can eye pressure rise after cataract surgery? Find out what can cause it, what symptoms to look out for, and how raised eye pressure may be treated during recovery. Read our latest blog and take our cataract suitability self-test today.","datePublished":"2026-09-25","dateModified":"2026-09-25","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/author\/myeyeclinic\/#Person","name":"My Eye Clinic","url":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/author\/myeyeclinic\/","identifier":8,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8387103c2072d667018bc0a76890e72a3a28b15f0cb4d824dadcb29a5e8e13d3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8387103c2072d667018bc0a76890e72a3a28b15f0cb4d824dadcb29a5e8e13d3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"My Eye Clinic Gosforth","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Retina-Sticky-Header-Logo-v2-166x120-Rob-Boyce-My-Eye-Clinic-Newcastle.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Retina-Sticky-Header-Logo-v2-166x120-Rob-Boyce-My-Eye-Clinic-Newcastle.jpg","width":167,"height":122}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Why-is-my-eye-pressure-high-after-cataract-surgery\u200b-Rob-Boyce-My-Eye-Clinic-Newcastle.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Why-is-my-eye-pressure-high-after-cataract-surgery\u200b-Rob-Boyce-My-Eye-Clinic-Newcastle.jpg","height":667,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/why-is-my-eye-pressure-high-after-cataract-surgery\/","about":["Cataracts","Eye Health"],"wordCount":1283,"articleBody":"Why is my eye pressure high after cataract surgery\u200b?If your eye pressure is high after cataract surgery, you may be worried. A rise in eye pressure can happen after surgery, and in many cases it is temporary and can be treated. Your eye team will check your eye pressure during your follow-up care and decide if you need treatment.Eye pressure is also known as intraocular pressure (IOP). It is the pressure of the fluid inside your eye. Keeping this pressure at a healthy level is important because very high pressure can damage the optic nerve.After cataract surgery, a temporary rise in eye pressure can happen for several reasons. Understanding why this happens can help you know what to expect during recovery.What is eye pressure?Understanding intraocular pressureYour eye contains a clear fluid called aqueous humour. This fluid is made inside the eye and normally drains away through a small drainage system.The balance between fluid being made and fluid leaving the eye helps keep eye pressure at a healthy level.Eye pressure is not the same as blood pressure. It is measured in millimetres of mercury, or mmHg, using a special eye test called tonometry.Most people do not feel their eye pressure when it is at a normal level.Why can eye pressure rise after cataract surgery?Fluid and inflammation can affect pressureThere are several reasons why eye pressure may rise after cataract surgery.One reason is that the eye can become slightly inflamed after the procedure. Inflammation can affect the normal flow of fluid inside the eye.Another possible cause is a small amount of material left inside the eye after surgery. This can temporarily affect the drainage system and cause pressure to rise.Your eye may also respond to the surgery itself by changing how fluid moves through the eye.In many cases, the pressure rise is short-lived and settles as the eye heals.Steroid eye drops can sometimes increase pressureAfter cataract surgery, you will usually be given eye drops to help reduce inflammation and protect the eye while it heals.Some of these drops contain steroids.Steroid eye drops are very useful after surgery, but some people are more sensitive to them than others. In these patients, steroid drops can cause eye pressure to rise.Your surgeon will monitor your eyes during your follow-up appointments and may change your treatment if needed.Is high eye pressure after surgery serious?A small rise may not be a problemA temporary increase in eye pressure is not unusual after cataract surgery.If the pressure is only slightly higher than normal and you have no other problems, your eye team may simply monitor it.Sometimes, however, the pressure can rise more than expected.Very high eye pressure can put stress on the optic nerve and may cause pain or affect your vision. This is why follow-up checks after cataract surgery are important.Your surgeon will look at your eye pressure alongside your symptoms and other examination results.What are the symptoms of high eye pressure?You may not notice anythingHigh eye pressure does not always cause symptoms.This is one reason regular eye checks are important, especially if you have glaucoma or another condition that can affect eye pressure.If the pressure becomes very high, you may experience eye pain, blurred vision, headaches, redness, or nausea.You may also notice halos around lights.These symptoms can have other causes too, but they should not be ignored after cataract surgery.When should you seek help?If you develop severe eye pain, a sudden change in vision, increasing redness, severe headache, nausea, or vomiting after cataract surgery, contact your eye care team promptly.A sudden or major change in vision should always be checked.If you are worried about your symptoms, do not wait for your next routine appointment.How is high eye pressure treated?Eye drops may be enoughIf your eye pressure is higher than expected, your surgeon may prescribe special eye drops to help lower it.These drops can work by reducing the amount of fluid made inside the eye or helping fluid drain away more easily.Your surgeon will choose the treatment based on your eye pressure and overall eye health.The pressure may return to normalIn many cases, pressure that rises after cataract surgery comes back down as the eye heals.You may only need treatment for a short time.Your eye team will check your pressure again to make sure it is moving in the right direction.It is important to use any prescribed drops exactly as instructed and attend your follow-up appointments.Does glaucoma affect eye pressure after cataract surgery?Glaucoma needs extra careIf you already have glaucoma, your eye pressure may need closer monitoring after cataract surgery.Glaucoma is a condition that can damage the optic nerve, often linked to high eye pressure.Cataract surgery can sometimes help lower eye pressure in people with certain types of glaucoma. However, this does not mean cataract surgery cures glaucoma.If you have glaucoma, your surgeon will consider your condition when planning your cataract treatment and aftercare.Tell your surgeon about your eye historyBefore cataract surgery, make sure your surgeon knows about any previous eye conditions or treatments.Tell them if you have glaucoma, have had high eye pressure in the past, or use pressure-lowering eye drops.This information helps your eye team plan the safest care for you.How long can eye pressure stay high?Recovery is different for everyoneThere is no single recovery time for raised eye pressure after cataract surgery.For some people, pressure returns to normal quite quickly.For others, it may take longer and require treatment or closer monitoring.Your surgeon will check your eye during your follow-up appointments and advise you based on how you are healing.Do not stop or change your eye drops unless your eye care team tells you to.Why are follow-up appointments important?Your eyes need to be checkedEven if your vision feels good after surgery, follow-up appointments are important.Your eye team can check your eye pressure, look for signs of inflammation, and make sure the eye is healing properly.These checks can help identify problems early, before they begin to affect your vision.Following your aftercare instructions also helps support a smooth recovery.Can cataract surgery cause long-term high eye pressure?Most people recover without lasting problemsA temporary rise in eye pressure does not necessarily mean you will have long-term high eye pressure.For many patients, the pressure settles as the eye heals.However, some people may be at greater risk of ongoing pressure problems, particularly if they have glaucoma or other eye conditions.Your surgeon can explain your individual risk and monitor you after surgery.Take the next stepIf you have cataracts and are considering surgery, it is natural to have questions about the procedure and recovery.At My Eye Clinic in Gosforth, our team can assess your eyes, explain your treatment options, and help you understand what to expect before and after cataract surgery.Take our suitability self-test today to find out if you may be suitable for treatment. It only takes a few minutes and can be your first step towards clearer vision.Your best vision could still be ahead of you.Hi, I\u2019m Rob BoyceAfter training as an engineer and research scientist, I pursued medicine at Nottingham University, followed by advanced ophthalmology training. With over 20 years as a Consultant Ophthalmologist specialising in Oculoplastic and Lacrimal Surgery, I\u2019m committed to delivering the highest quality care at MY Eye Clinic, using cutting-edge techniques and patient-centred care."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Why is my eye pressure high after cataract surgery\u200b?","item":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/why-is-my-eye-pressure-high-after-cataract-surgery\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]