glaucoma and cataracts

[Nala2509]

can anyone share your experience with being diagnosed with cataracts whist also having glaucoma? I have been diagnosed with a fast growing cataract in my right eye, which is my very poor sight eye.

Many thanks

[Cornwalleyes]

I can only say what my consultant said but I have had a trab, consultant said it was very likely I would get cataracts at some point but he said it’s a simple op that should have no side effects. Hope yours goes well.

[Eahldt]

I had a trab in March 2021 followed two weeks later by further corrective surgery. I knew I had a cataract developing in that eye but it got significantly worse literally overnight. I had to wait 3 weeks for cataract surgery because, after 2 local anaesthetics, my consultant felt I should have a general and needed to wait for an anaesthetist. After cataract surgery my sight took quite a while to return to normal but at least now I know I’ve had both cataracts removed. I had the other one, which probably developed following a trab in 2015, done, on my consultant’s advice, a few years ago. That was done under local anaesthetic and was straightforward. As cataracts are so common after eye surgery lens replacement is often carried out at the same time. That was considered for me last year but rejected. Obviously with hindsight I wish they’d done it at the same time as the trab.

[Hidden]

I had developing cataracts and needed glaucoma surgery on my right eye. Had cataract removal and goniotomy at the same time... all well and pressures down. Left eye is stable at the moment, so waiting.

[mrswaffle]

I have a cataract. Like yours, it is in my “bad” eye (which is my left). When I had the private consultation in the summer, the consultant said that just because i I had a cataract, didn’t mean it needed to be ‘done”. This is the same thing that was said by the last consultant I saw on the NHS (in 2021) and also by Mr Alaghband in a webinar from the Glaucoma Society. Unfortunately, a few years ago, I was seen, under the NHS, by an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, who said they would need to see me every 6 months, to monitor the cataract. Then we had the pandemic, so that didn’t happen. When I rang the NHS hospital twelve months on from my previous appointment, I was told that not only could they not give me an appointment, but it may be up to twelve months late. Hence my visit to the private specialist, one of the best things for my health that I have ever done. He listened to me, answered my questions and discussed next steps with me. I know we shouldn’t have to pay, but I remain very glad I did. Good luck.

[Amandeep_GlaucomaUK]

Hi Nala2509, 

Developing cataracts is very common for those who aged 40 and above. Cataracts are usually monitored on a yearly basis until they get to the point where your vision starts to be affected. Once it reaches this point, cataract surgery is then considered if you feel your reduced vision is impacting you on a day-to-day basis. As you also have glaucoma, this is also considered when deciding when to proceed with cataract surgery. A consultant would only recommend cataract surgery once your vision is being impacted significantly. As a few people have mentioned in the comments in some cases alongside the cataract surgery some consultants will also do a glaucoma laser treatment or surgery at the same time if they feel you require this, as doing both procedures at the same time is easier for a patient versus two difference procedures. If you require only a cataract surgery, the main side effect that is monitored in glaucoma patients is elevated IOPs. Post cataract surgery you are on additional eye drops for roughly 4 weeks, one is an antibiotic, and one is an anti-inflammatory. The anti-inflammatory eye drop is a steroid which can cause your IOPs to be temporarily elevated. This is monitored closely in glaucoma patients at a 1 or 2 day follow up after surgery. I hope this helps! 

Amandeep

Glaucoma UK Advisor 

[Nala2509]

thank you to everyone for your comments, much appreciated. I will discuss next steps at my next appointment at the eye clinic, hopefully things can be sorted as it is already impacting my vision.