Cataract update

[Justinealexx]

Hello all. It's been a hectic couple of weeks. MRI scan on my hip last week. Awaiting results for that one but a wholly unpleasant 50 minute experience that triggered a minor panic attack and made just about everything throb. Was so relieved when it was finally over and the nice man gently helped me to get back up off the bed.

Friday I saw the consultant at the eye clinic about this cataract. Coincidentally, about 4 days earlier, I started having a major sjogrens flare. Right eye very sore and horribly gunky. Left eye just dry and gritty feeling. So the vision tests were not very straight forward. After pupil dilation and the awful fluorescent yellow eye drops my eyes were fit to pop! He said my short sightedness is by no means terrible but acknowledged the rapid rate of change caused by the particular type of cataract and the expense of frequent prescription changes (reading glasses, distance glasses and sunglasses).

He decided the right treatment is to remove the cataract. He didn't think I would be at any significantly greater risk of infection or complication and I can continue with the iKervis drops before and after the surgery. He thinks the current symptoms are a lupus /sjogrens flare. Certainly I'm seeing other signs like increased joint pains, dry skin, brittle nails, poor sleep, cramps. (Rheumatology appointment on Thursday.)

He said he'll also treat my left eye subsequently to correct any imbalance that would otherwise cause headaches/nausea. I wasn't expecting that! But it sounds sensible. He can't guarantee distance vision that needs no correction at all or that it will remain completely stable. But it should be improved. I'll need reading specs as a minimum.

So, I'm on the waiting list. Just need to manage for a few more months without changing my glasses. Work is difficult (computer screen all day every day) but I have good support and understanding. I'm very lucky I know. Just can't wait to try and get my archery back on track 🏹🎯😊

[Lupiknits]

Yayy! I had no idea how much my cataracts had grown until I mentioned to my optician that I really needed a new prescription. I saw every him every six months. He immediately said both those cataracts ( which had been very small) need to go. After I got over the shock, there was a short wait to get one, then the other, done.

After each surgery I had an extra routine to follow with steroid drops which they called the lupus protocol, but is actually for anyone at risk of uveitis. Trying to remember which drops when, and the gradual taper of the steroids was frustrating, but the difference in my sight is amazing.

The good old NHS only offers to correct extreme long or short sightedness. I still need reading glasses in poorer light, but not as strong as before.

The “Yayy” is because it really makes a huge difference. Apparently one eye is now 20/20 and the other better.

I was a bit lopsided between the first and second surgery, so you’ll have to see. The surgery can make eyes drier, and I’ve had to up the eye drops.

[Justinealexx in reply to Lupiknits]

Thank you! This is really good to know. I understand what you mean about the steroid tapering, having used them a couple of times before. I can see me setting lots of alarms on my phone and annoying the hell out of my colleagues and family! ⏰ 👁😉

The consultant mentioned bifocal lenses would be available privately but to be honest I wouldn't go for them anyway. No good for archery!

And I was warned about the imbalance between surgeries. That might be a bit tricky! Did you just pop one lens out of your specs??

Thanks so much for sharing your experience x

[Lupiknits in reply to Justinealexx]

I dealt with the “imbalance” which wasn’t too bad, by just not bothering for the other eye, but I know many pop out the lens. As soon as one side was healed, they did the other. I don’t drive, because I feel I may not be safe with my meds so it wasn’t much of a problem.

I can’t describe my amazement at suddenly realising I could read the time on my tiny mantel clock.

As for the drops routine, timers sound a good idea. I found it easy(ish) because some were downstairs in the fridge, and the others in the bathroom.

The only thing I struggled badly with was the shield you have to put on at night for the first week. Cursing and getting micropore all over the place is not a calming bedtime routine 😮

[Justinealexx in reply to Lupiknits]

I do drive so may need to take a break from that while things heal and settle down. Oh yes, refrigerating the drops! Need to think about that at work.... I think it was OK last time, just need to make sure nobody drizzles them on their salad!

The shield must be a right faff. I'll let you know how I get on. Thanks again x

[Lupiknits in reply to Justinealexx]

A pleasure. I do so hope the result is a good as mine x

[Krazykat26]

Am really pleased for u!!I saw the post that u put on here of u at an archery competition n I think u said that u came third( forgive me if I'm wrong)..it's great to have goals to work towards n u sound very determined to me!!

U go girrrllll!!!! 🎯🤗Xx

[Justinealexx in reply to Krazykat26]

Yes it was third at the UK Masters. Just going to put this year's competing on hold and try and get my eyes healthy and vision improved. Don't know if I've passed my peak, quite possibly with the joint problems too. But you know what? It was one hell of a ride and nobody can ever take that away from me 😊

Goals don't need to be extreme, sometimes just getting up and going to work is enough x

[Krazykat26 in reply to Justinealexx]

Yes indeed..I totally agree there..my 'previous life' was very active..not sporty but active..I was strong, independent, capable..lupus has changed it all n now I congratulate myself if I can eat my dinner with a knife n fork..oh what fun!!

Those targets in your pic do look an awful long way away..maybe u could get them to move them forward a bit 😉😹xx

[thehiker]

Hi J, as I have replied to you before the cataract operation was fine for me I hope is goes the same way for you and I found the MRI to be to long and horrifying because I have claustrophobia not to mention the loud banging noise of the magnet.

[Justinealexx in reply to thehiker]

Thank you. MRI must have been intolerable for you! How awful. Hope you never need to go through that again.