Replacement eye lenses while on w and w

[Research123]

Has anyone with cll had their eye lenses replaced? I wear glasses and to do without would need my eye lenses replaced. It seems to be a fairly standard operation these days but I don't know whether any operation like that is madness if you have CLL or makes no difference. I figure that if you have leukemia, any type of unnecessary trauma is probably best avoided but actually I don't know, and being a little vain and hating contact lenses, the replacement seems a good option. The other point is if I do it am I better off waiting until I have completed some treatment (v and o wld seem most likely) before doing it, or doing it now while on watch and Wait. Does anyone have any experience or thought? Thank you!

[GMa27]

Not sure if you're talking about cataract surgery or LASIK? Either way, the only organ we can donate are the eyes. I had LASIK surgery before my diagnosis. Many have cataract surgery while on W&W and treatment. As long as your hematologist approves it and your eye specialist knows you have CLL- it should be fine. 👀

[Research123 in reply to GMa27]

Thank you! That is interesting. I guess if we can donate eyes then the cll can't be in them?!

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to Research123]

We can donate our corneas, as they don't have a blood supply.

[Research123 in reply to AussieNeil]

Thanks Neil

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Hi Research123,-

Here is a link to the 39 previous posts that mentioned Cataract Surgery

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

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As we age our natural lenses turn yellow / brown and exposure to steroids and sunlight accelerate the change, affecting our night vision and causing "starburst" like halos around lights.

There are other types of cataracts that can interfere with the central focus for reading small print, etc.

The surgery is very quick and has minimal side effects rarely lasting more than 1 -5 days.

The cornea, where the incision is made does not have a blood supply, but the retina can be disturbed by the ultrasound tool that removes the old natural lens. So CLL patients on Ibrutinib or its sibling BTK inhibitors should consult their CLL expert doctor about pausing those drugs for the procedure.

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Len

[Research123 in reply to lankisterguy]

Thank you that's heloful

[McBuster]

I had lens replacement last year. Still on w & w. Such a miracle surgery! I was still new to my diagnosis, so I didn’t ask my hematologist. The eye doctor was aware. If you get the thumbs up, I totally recommend.

[alexmcg48]

I had my cataracts removed 3 years ago & new lenses were put in, 2 years after I was diagnosed with CLL.

Pretty much the best health thing I've done because whilst I still use glasses for reading, for around 97% of the time I back where I was when I was 17/18 when I never had a problem with my eyesight.

[Research123 in reply to alexmcg48]

Thank you

[Jamyang]

Hi I'm on w&w and I've had cataract surgery in both eyes a few years ago. As it's already been said it's a quick and painless procedure and yes the results are wonderful.

No more glasses or contact lenses.

I didn't even think to ask my haematologist!

Go for it !

[Research123 in reply to Jamyang]

Thank you - very encouraging!

[RichLews]

If you are not sure, you could consult the doctor who treats you for leukemia and then the ophthalmologist. However, I do not think that there will be any problem because it represents different operations, and I do not think it is necessary for stress. Just inform more about it. I, for example, still wear lenses, and I was thinking about the surgery. Still, I like it so much that my lenses are of different colors that I said I would stick to their variant. I used to order them from here coleyes.com/collections/blue because they contain many colors that are not found in stores. You could also ask what consequences it could cause if surgery is eventually allowed.