cataracts

[Willow7733]

I was told today, that because of being on prednisone, I have a cataract in each eye (the left is much worse than the right). I was wondering if this is a common thing? I am young to have them, as the eye specialist says it usually is seen in people who are older than I am. I have to get them fixed, but it terrifies me. I don’t like anything with the eyes.

[Lizard28]

I am the same, they did say it’s maybe down to being on steroids but can’t prove it. My ophthalmologist told me not to worry as I see him every 6/12 months so I’m on the system and he will keep an eye on it (excuse the pun).

[Wytchylady in reply to Lizard28]

Hi. I've got cataracts, both eyes. It may be from being on prednisolone or maybe not. Don't think it's easy to determine. X

[kingsnorth]

l had both my cataracts removed last year 3 month gap in between the first and second removal. I was 72 l was really really anxious as like you anything to do with eyes freak me out, it was one of the best things l have done and saves me a fortune on lenses although having said that l still need glasses for reading and closeup work. The operation is over very quickly and l personally wasn’t in any pain just a bit of discomfort.

[Florence91 in reply to kingsnorth]

Had mine done around 70 - my mother who didn't have lupus had hers done in her 90s! But agree it has been brilliant. Don't know anyone who.likes having their eyes messed with but def worth it. I have since had laser to both recently as they can blur after a time, but that is a quick outpatient job done in 15 mins and I'm clear again.All the best for the op.

[WinterSwimmer]

I had my cataracts done in 2016. The surgeon told me they had the distinctive appearance of cataracts caused by steroids (prednisolone). I remember being frightened, but knew I had no choice as I was going blind anyway and already struggling with driving and walking around outside in the dark.

In the event the operations (which I had a few weeks apart) were simple, as close to painless as a medical procedure can be, and improved my quality of life by about 300%. I was the youngest person in the hospital waiting room by about 20 years (I was in my mid 50s) - but it made no difference to anything. This was a simple and straightforward operation that changed my life for the better.

[DorsetLady]

Steroid induced cataracts are quite common , and often discussed on the PMRGCAuk forum… as long term Prednisolone is used by those patients.

I had already lost sight in one eye due to my illness [GCA] being diagnosed very late, so when I required cataract surgery on other eye I was apprehensive, but had no choice.

It is an extremely common procedure, done very quickly and although the thought of it might be ‘terrifying’, it isn’t. And, honestly what other option do you have?

Go for it, and good luck.

[Oldbits]

Hi, husband had cataracts caused by prednisone when he was 56. The dr said it's common in people on it for a prolonged time. He went private and had them done so that he could have his eye sight corrected (very short sighted) at the same time. He suffers from health anxiety and still says it's the best thing he ever did and was totally amazed at the colours he could see after and said he hadnt realised how the cataracts had affected his life. Its quite a quick op and recovery for something that can make a huge difference.

[Redlady9]

Hi Willow, I had cataract surgery last year. Mine developed really quickly but not due to prednisolone. I was struggling with driving especially at night. I'm also terrified of anything sharp near my eyes and they agreed to do it under general anaesthetic. It was quick and pretty painless and I was amazed at how white things looked afterwards! Will happily go back to get the other eye done when needed. Hope you get on ok x 😌

[cowhide]

Hi, I had both cataracts done before I was 50 and they were not drug related in my case, (I don't take steroids) we just have a family history and I am outdoors a lot in the sun. No problems. My Mum and most of my family have had cataracts removed although I was the youngest.

[Sarah74]

Hello

They are fast growing cataracts caused by the pred, different from old people cataracts

I had both of mine done 4 years ago with a couple of weeks apart.

I have good private medical insurance through work which paid for them.

Bit discomfort but no worse than having a filling. I’m was going blind and the sun hirt my eyes so the difference was amazing

x

[marypw]

Please don’t worry about having eye surgery - I had surgery for a macular hole plus cataract about 15 months ago. Honestly it is easier than going to the dentist, no pain and your vision will improve hugely. I think most people are squeamish about eyes - I was petrified - but it was fine.

P.s my surgery wasn’t related to lupus or hydroxychloroquine - just an age thing.

[soul22]

Yes I have a cataract due to steroids for flares in the past not yet needed surgery mine was spotted in 40's

[cathie]

My sympathy I've a preliminary appointment with opthamology next week to talk about cataract op. I'm much older than you - late 70s so i know a few people who have had good results. I can still read the subtitles on films though and treasure my eyesight so will ask the consultant a lot of questions from my list! ANything relevant i'll share

[PMRpro]

Anyone who is on steroids will be told they are the culprit - it is a fairly common side effect but I have been on pred for nearly 15 years and only just been told there is a tiny one in one eye. It isn't inevitable. However - they are one of the easiest adverse effects of pred to deal with. It is an amazing op and once it is done you are cooking on gas!

[nottypical in reply to PMRpro]

I was told I had the beginnings of cataracts before I started prednisolone (was 76) but it's still just another reason (brain scramble, weight gain ) to avoid it if at all possible.

[Betty909090]

The long term use of Prednisolone/Prednisone can cause posterior SUBCAPSULAR cataract! This is well documented in the literature!👆

But be aware that a cataract is the clouding of a once clear lens! It all depends on degree!

Many people live with cataracts for many years with no need for plastic/acrylic lens replacement!

Many people delay the eye op without suffering unduly?!🧐🥹👌

It’s a matter of “personal “ degree of “cloudiness “ /Opacity tolerance?

[KnitSewPurl]

Hi Willow,Cataracts was found in late 40s in my eyes they were discovered by my optician. Eye Consultant was not able to see it. Only later when I was 49 they said they it was needed to be remove on one eye as it was effecting my macular. I macular is hereditary-mother's, I have cataract on my mother's side of the family as well. Both mother and grandmother also had several steroids injection as well which did not help with the advancement of the development of the cataracts. I have them in both of my eyes.

So the story goes , when I was booked in to get it done I did say to the nurses I have bad astigmatism she said oh NHS don't do them unless your astigmatism is above 2.

Mine was 1.75 right on the borderline ..

When I had the surgery, guess what happened , surgeon (I was told on the ward) was a junior trainee during the surgery. I had no problem with it thought well they have to learn. When I return from surgery, I thought there was something wrong with my eye as I kept seeing light on the top of my eye. Long story short , he actually when through my Corneal. So there was a hole /flap in the Corneal. I would have gone blind if I would not have got early treatment privately . Surgery for eye was under NHS. I said to my husband big mistake I made was having it done under NHS huge mistake.

Because 1. I don't think this slit of corneal the would've happen

2. I would have been given preference for my astigmatism for my lens

Because I had massive problems post operatively .

1. Inflammation and infection

So was on steroids constantly during those periods but initially they provided the wrong stuff for me as all the steroids had preservative in them and it made the eyes worse.

I kept telling them I cannot have any preservative in my eye and they keep giving stuff with preservative in them and antibiotics.

Which lead us to go privately to get treatment for my eyes once referral came through.

Consultant did say i was fortunate my Corneal is still healthy once they start to die off then will need to look at options, ie: transplant which will be a long haul fortunately I did not have to go down that route.

6 months of intensive Pure steroid drops treatment.

As for reading and distance glasses ,

I stated with a compromise prescription glasses quite a high astigmatism. Was not able to tolerate it then went down slightly lower somewhere my brain is able to tolerate with the changes.

I recently had a other change of glasses again it has come down which is much better but I am pretty sure they have put in a wrong lens in my right on the top with the bodge job of the Corneal damage .

So ,if you want a safe and if you wear glasses and want the correct lens in your eye , suggestion to go private if you have private insurance.

[HiveMind]

I also have cataracts in both eyes due to long term steroid use. My worst eye is my right one. Eventually I will have to have surgery too. No sense in dreading it; just a choice of having decent eyesight or not. It’s a no brainier for me. Good luck!

[triptons]

I have been on pred. long term and developed cararacts in both eyes. I had an op on the cataract in my (lazy) right eye in November and have an appointment for the second in February. I was terrified about having anything done to my eyes (and initially put it off 6 months) but it was all over in about 5 minutes with no pain. Felt a bit gritty for a week or so but that got better. Only problem is that I now suffer from a "halo effect" in certain lighting conditions which has actually got worse with time. This is not uncommon but apparently generally gets better with time. My sight in that eye was very cloudy before the op. but is clear now, so I might have to live with the halo. Hopefully I won't have same problem with my left eye (which is dominant and currently fairly clear). I went to a private clinic funded by NHS