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Steroids and eyes..

58 Replies

Hello Friends

I like my steroids because It has improved my night and days but my eyesight has suffered..unbelievably so when you think I started on daily steroids in September my eyesight is down to 40% and I have developed cataract in both eyes..I knew something was not right of course but I had other things on my mind.

So as well as 100% dryness I seem to have a cyst in the right eye, my worse one.

So beware my friends..

Next appointment on March 6th then they will book me in for the ops..

Hopefully they can correct the eyesight partly..I will still have to wear glasses but it will be better. Fingers crossed 🤞

That’s what Aria thought about PSG-Real last night!! She knows just how I felt!!

Have a good day!!

Fran xx

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58 Replies
sassy59 profile image
sassy59

That’s not good Fran and I hope you have the surgery soon. Pete has been on steroids for many years, on 10mg daily now, but has better eyesight than I do.

Pete has sarcoidosis which can affect the eyes also but so far so good.

I do wish you well and Aria looks very chilled indeed.

Take care

Love Carole xxxxx😘

in reply to sassy59

Hello Carole

Thank you for your time xx

I have 2 new sets of eyedrops for 3 weeks, I think my eyes are too dry to operate on just yet..

I am pleased for Pete and you, once you start with these things you have to keep going for laser and all that..Bea said she noticed I wasn’t picking up my book. I will buy a magnifying glass this weekend if I can.

Love Fran 🌸🌷💕

Caspiana profile image
Caspiana

I'm sorry it's so uncomfortable Fran. Dry eyes in winter are so much worse I find. I hope the surgery will help your eyesight dramatically. I love Aria's stockinged paw. xx ❤

in reply to Caspiana

Thank you Cas xx

I was putting in the last lot of drops but it was just like sand in my eyes and my right eye felt weak. I spend my time playing with my glasses to watch anything..

Aria is a joy 😻

Caspiana profile image
Caspiana in reply to

🐱💘

Hi Fran unbelievably u have just possibly answered the fact that I too have dry eyes and need drops for the rest of my life but I also have a cyst on my right eye well its on the skin whrre u would put eyeliner , bottom and a white spot on the eyelid both so so sore xx makes me wonder what's going on .xxx

in reply to

Hi Mel

Do you?? LAM playing us around I think 🙄 I can’t see my cyst, I think it is inside, 2 specialists were looking I think one was a student. I knew about the dryness from the last check up 2 years ago but this time I knew something was not right when they went silent you know.

Anyway something else to deal with so take good care of your eyes sweetheart, I had to put my embroidery to one side but I feel grateful that I can still write on my iphone and watch tv 😃

Lots of love my LAM sis 💖

Fran

in reply to

I knew i needed artificial tears for rest of my life a while ago but my eyes have been very sore and burning ..Then I got like a milk spot on my right eyelid and a small reddish lump/blemish on my inside part of my eye above where my bottom lashes are ha can't think what it's called that have both been giving me a very strange pain I have never experienced but have been getting more worried about so I was on alot of steroids daily but especially when I had my respiratory failure and then consequent drop in platelets where in 10 hours I was given 30 5mg preds (15 at midnight then 15 more at 9am) and then kept on a heavy dose for my stay in hospital.. I'm no longer on steroids but makes me wonder now with us both having lam ??

in reply to

Sorry you have been on so many steroids in the past..Time to ask for an eye specialist appointment, I waited too long but my eyes were also sore and all those eyedrops bothered the skin on my eyelids, as well..those seem better, well I have only started 2 days ago. Patience..

I think we are bound to have side effects to our meds..at least there are solutions for those smaller ailments, better than a full blown lung disease again hey..

Love 💕

Fran

in reply to

I agree xx

in reply to

💕😘

helingmic profile image
helingmic in reply to

Fran,

I had sore skin around the eyes too. I found that almond oil soothes the skin. Since I take this Systane ultra, I noticed that if I put almond oil before I put the Systane ultra in my eyes, the skin doesn't sting any more. The “gritty” feeling has gone with this Systane Ultra (lubricant for dry eyes).

MIc

in reply to helingmic

Thank you very much for the tip Mic 😊

skischool profile image
skischool

Happy,that seems such a short period of time for the steroids to have had so much effect on your eyes?has it been ascertained that they are definitely to blame?the only upside is that Opthalmic surgery has come on leaps and bounds in recent years and i am sure they will improve your eyesight dramatically as Cas states.

Aria is dreaming of revenge in the return match and unlike you has not given up on your beloved PSG....love skis and scruffy xx

in reply to skischool

Hi Skis 🎿⛷

Well that’s what the eye specialist said but I have had inhaled steroids and oral treatments for years, so who knows..

Oh I’m not too worried just want to get it over with, you know what waiting is like, can’t make plans. Still I have plenty to do in the meantime!!!

Haha I never give up, there’s the fan and there’s the wise Fran😃

Fingers crossed 🤞

Xx

Hi Fran, I've been using artificial tears for 30 years. I have Sjogren's Syndrome along with RA. My optician has changed my drops. Used to have Hypromellose now have Celluvisc. They are more viscous. Preservative free are better when you are using them long term. Sending ((((hugs)))) for beautiful Arla. XXXX

in reply to

Hi Poem 🌷

Thank you for your help xx

I was on cellufluid and celluvisc but now I am on Lacrycon and Femavisc!!

So will see..I don’t know if they are preservatives free, I’ll ask the chemist’s.

Aria miaows huggs back!!! 🤗🤗

Fran

Hi Fran I have just been told steroids are causing me cataracts. 😦 like photo of Aria ☺ X

in reply to

Ahhhh so we are both in the same boat!! Good luck with your op xx

Thanks Majt 🤗

Nitap profile image
Nitap in reply to

Hi all, I too have cataracs, which my wonderful doctor told me “this is down to taking steroids” promptly got appointment for eye clinic Consultant was lovely and said I will be able to have them done asap. I have not taken steroids for over a year I refused them !! Years ago I was told I had MS so huge doses of steroids - I was in my 30’s - I lost all of my teeth through them !! Grrrh 1st teeth and now my eyes and put on weight - so I try to stay away from them. Wishing you all well and looking forward to Spring, my snowdrops and dads are coming out hooray xxx

in reply to Nitap

Thank you for the info Nitap😊

Well it is difficult to weigh the pros and cons of all those drugs..my philosophy is the minimum dosage acceptable in a given situation. 🤞

Stumpy55 profile image
Stumpy55

Hello Happylondon, that's not good is it. I hope they can fix this problem for you. Take care and let us know how you get on. ✋️😊

in reply to Stumpy55

Thanks Stumpy, they will fix it I hope 🤞 😊

Stumpy55 profile image
Stumpy55 in reply to

Yes I hope so, fingers crossed for you 🤞

in reply to Stumpy55

Thanks Stumpy!!

Yatzy profile image
Yatzy

Hi Fran 💕🌸

I’m so sorry to hear about your eye problems and do hope they can be helped along very soon. Eye sight is so valuable...I’m reminded of that daily because my mother is almost blind, due to macular degeneration. Funnily enough, I went to my opticians yesterday, just for a routine eye test but prompted by me thinking my specs not working well enough any longer. He diagnosed improved sight!! And my specs not working because now wrong and too strong prescription. While I whooped away, thinking my eye vitamins must be working, optician said, That’s the good news. The bad news is that this is likely to be a pre-cataract stage, often caused naturally by aging but accelerated in my case by regular use of steroids. 😮 Apparently sight gets better before it gets worse. So new lenses ordered but I’m to go back in 12 months for review.....sounds expensive, changing lenses so frequently. I cheered myself up by lashing out on some Danish hand made frames....I must be mad!!! Regretting it already but order already underway....and he was such a nice man!

I hope all goes well and to plan for you at the weekend. It is your Paris weekend, I think? 🌹

Lots of love 💞😘🌸 Penny xx

in reply to Yatzy

Hi Penny 🧚‍♀️🌷

Strangely enough my eyesight got better a few years ago.. well I was long-sighted, that improved but then I got short-sighted..both my parents have had cataract ops so maybe it runs in the family as well.

So take good care of your eyes!!!

Lots of love xx

Fran 💓

Yatzy profile image
Yatzy in reply to

Just a tip for eye health, Fran...it was something recommended by a Dr [edited] on a tv programme about eye health. He is generally set against taking vitamin supplements, thinks good diet is the answer, but he said this is the exception because difficult to regularly place these vits in diet. He recommended taking, wait for it, mesozeaxanthin, lutien and zeaxanthin. I take it in Macushield capsules (Amazon), but very expensive. No price on eyesight though. I’d like to say it’s working, but don’t know! All I can say is that my soon to be cateracts have developed more slowly than my brother and sister’s....no proof I know but I’ve taken more steroids. With my mother’s macular degeneration in the family, I can only take them and hope! 🤞

Have a lovely evening, Fran. Strokes to Aria. 😺

Love Penny 💕🌹🌷🌸

in reply to Yatzy

Thank you for the tip Penny 👯‍♀️💃🏻💃🏻.

I will ask the eye specialist for eye vitamins I think, a bit too late now but we’ll see what he says.

I was told to take Vit D3, omega 3 every day this summer, which I do.

I had a multivitamin and minerals 3 months cure.

Now the naturopath suggested I started those anti-acid natural pills called Basonorm. They normalise acidic food. They are made of calcium. magnésium, zinc and lime blossom flowers. I am on 2 capsules out of 4 a day to start with. It’s ok. Because the Omeprazole 40mg is not doing much and as it is not good for the kidneys I hope to taper it down.

Have a lovely evening too xx

Fran ✨💫

Yatzy profile image
Yatzy in reply to

We keep trying!! 🏋🏻‍♀️👯‍♂️🏋🏻👯

in reply to Yatzy

No on the 24th.. thanks for thinking of me Penny xx

Hi Fran I've been told I am getting cataracts with the steroids, when I had my eyes tested. 😢 X Majt Aria looks cosy.

in reply to

Hi Majt

You too!! So many of us!! 😢

She likes to be high up so she can have a full view of what is going on 😃

Take care then xx

Fran

in reply to

Oh so there's method in what she's doing, take care Fran. 🐱 🌹 Majt X

in reply to

Oh yes she’s a clever one 😻

helingmic profile image
helingmic

Happylondon, I don't take steroids a lot, but I have daataract and now glaucoma in bothe eyes. I had an emergency last July. Instead of a cold sore developing on the corner of my moth, it went along the optic nerve and lodged itself in the eye! I had anti viral, antibiotics and steroid to reduce the painful cold sore. But it left a scar and my sight has changed.

After examination for cataract, I was told I could have the operation. But since at Christmas the NHS was swamped with calls, my operation (non essential) has been postponed, so I haven't heard.

I had blurred vision, that is glaucoma. Fortunately, I have drops for it. and a drug called Systane ultra to lubricate the eyeball.

I have to stick my nose into my music to read it. PLus the cold I caught at church, third infection since Christmas!

Hope you are attended soon and successfully,

Mic

hello fran.the pred steroid done the same with my mam.consultant told her that it caused her cataract.she had the op just before Christmas.wishing you well and hope you don't have to wait 2 long before you get your op.helenx

in reply to

Thank you Helen..Dad had had his op in November..what a pity they had to go through this hurdle.,

Thank you for the news..😊🤗

in reply to

I wonder if its a test,the journey of life,but your dad got through his hurdles with dignity.xx

in reply to

That’s a nice thing to say Helen. He was so happy he could read again without glasses. Xx

today I'm going back full circle.my dad was always very passionate for the North east of England,well.so feeling emotional,and as usual left everything to the last minute,but I will get there because I can feel his spirit is with me.helpiing me.if that makes sense.x

in reply to

Hope you have the discovery journey you are looking for xx

I will.i have just got to get my breathe under control.ive never been taught ant relaxation for asthma.i don't even know what type I have.im going to sort it when I get back.ive gone all fingers and thumbs.im going to ring my consultant and ask him what to do anxiety wise.its a good job we have the nhs to help us.for the moment you never know whats round the corner Fran.x

in reply to

Well you have all my breathing and relaxation tips and there are plenty more on youtube but you may need anxiety pills, your GP can give you that. It will see you through that difficult period of your life. Then time flows and things get easier.

Get plenty of fresh air and walks by the seaside..

Bye for now x

Fran

will do .looking forwards thankyou franxhave a good dayxhelen

Shirleyj profile image
Shirleyj

Sorry to hear about your eyes fran, there's always something to worry about. You take care x

in reply to Shirleyj

Thanks Shirley. Yes, as you say. Take care too x

watergazer profile image
watergazer

hi happylondon- love your cat ! Sorry to hear of your predicament. Prednisolone also affected my eyesight and I had to keep getting my contact lenses changed. My optician suggested it was the higher sugar levels in my blood that did it (because of the steroids- oh how I hate taking them as they make me hyper and I don't sleep ) and my sight would settle after coming off them. I'm prednisolone free at the mo but still on fostair so some steroids lurking in there.

My eyesight is now better than before and I don't wear contacts or glasses anymore so at the moment I have a happy ending.

Hope you get sorted as eyes are precious. I witnessed my fathers eyesight degenerating - he didn't go blind but had to stop driving and it affected him badly.

take care x

in reply to watergazer

Hi Dickinson

Thank you 😊 she is a sweetie.

I’m glad you have it sorted xx

I have no choice but to stay on steroids unfortunately although now I know I will ask for prevention once I have had the ops!!

Take care too x

pepparuby1 profile image
pepparuby1

Hello Fran thanks for sharing you Cat is beautiful

I had a routine eye exam was sent to Moorfields and the change on one eye is due to a cataract developing but only small at this stage but means optician needs to check it once a year and was told it’s my steroids! Although daily inhale steroids - only use the tablets when I have a chest or flu problem two to three times a year!

So although I need steroid inhalers - they’re a nuisance I bruise terribly have itchy legs and now can get cataracts from it.

It’s very scary I know but I’m thinking of you 😻

in reply to pepparuby1

Hello Pepparuby

I went to Moorfields 10 years ago at least, best place ever.

Yes I have ecchymoses too if I knock myself but no itching.

Thank you for your concern xx

Wishing you well

Fran

Dedalus profile image
Dedalus

Sorry to hear this Fran - 40% is huge. You are dealing with this news very well. Is this due to oral steroids Fran, or a combination of both oral and inhaled? I had 3 short courses of oral steroids over 3 months (November 17 to Jan 18) and now on inhaled steroids since mid January. I was so sure my eyesight was in decline, but most people saying its far too quick and must be my imagination. I will be making an optician appointment soon, just in case. Thank you for the information and good luck with everything. Please keep us updated xx

in reply to Dedalus

Hello Dedalus

He didn’t specify but it all builds up. I knew a long time ago that my inhaled steroids had become systemic when the ecchymoses appeared on my arms. I had a chat with the Consultant at the time who told me that a dose of 800mcg a day plus was considered as systemic.

Yes beware..but I don’t know what I can do about it apart from taking vitamins maybe as Breathzee suggested..

Wishing you well xx

Fran

Dedalus profile image
Dedalus in reply to

Thank you Fran xx

warwickstag profile image
warwickstag

There are so many downsides to steroids that it is advisable to use as few as possible. I currently have an ulcerated leg due to wafer thin skin through long term steroid use. I am diabetic, have had both cataracts done and have lost the sight of one eye through glaucoma. On the plus side, when I had my cataracts done, I had 20/20 distance vision without glasses and just needed a pair of reading glasses. I hope your sight improves when you get your cataracts done.

in reply to warwickstag

Hello Warwickstag

Oh dear..yes I am looking forward to have part of my eyesight corrected. It would be lovely if he could do the op like yours. Just what I need!!!

Good luck with the rest. Thank you for your reassurance x

Fran

warwickstag profile image
warwickstag in reply to

It's a very straight forward operation, Fran, and only takes about 20 minutes. You are awake throughout as the eye is desensitized by a local anaesthetic. The success rate is very high so don't worry.

in reply to warwickstag

Thank you 😊 I’m not worried, both parents have had it and I saw them through it..

No it’s the cyst In the right eye Im less happy about but we’ll see..x

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