Cataracts withLupus/Sjogren's

[Carcrashgal]

Morning, all, a quick question: I've got to have cataract surgery and I wondered how those of you with lupus - and particularly Sjorgren's - have dealt with this. Did you have any problems, especially with dry eyes? is there anything I should definitely do/not do? All experiences gratefully listened to!

[Betty909090]

Had my first cataract op December 2023? Successful.

Despite being doubly masked up caught covid from the surgical team!😱Really badly.

Op took 40 minutes. You are horizontal with around 3-4 members of the team close up breathing on you and one is inhaling heavily. Your eye is also exposed to all sorts of viruses being exhaled on to you. Needed emergency antivirals prescribed over Christmas. Sad.

It’s called PHACOEMULSIFICATION, the cloudy lens is shattered by ultrasound vibrations and then sucked out and a new, folded acrylic replacement lens is inserted via the lens capsule. Painless procedure with local anaesthetic but still very scary for me. You will be fully conscious unless you opt for a GA!☝️

You will be given 3 sorts of eye drops (for around 4 weeks) for self administration: antibiotic, anti inflammatory and a pain relief DMARD (Ibuprofen). Eye will be swollen for around 3-4days. Drops will be very lubricating! No worries. The next eye is normally done 3-6 months later?

Typically a distance vision lens is fitted so you’ll need reading glasses but wait for eyes to settle before being tested for the correct dioptre ( power).

[Star13]

yes I’ve had both done successfully. One in Dec23 and one April 24. I had an issue with the anesthetic block on the first one that caused my pressures to rise that caused complications with the surgery itself so I had to have stitches so a longer recovery. This was more to do with the anatomical shape of my eye and previous surgery which could not have been foreseen. Thankfully due to the skill of the surgeon all worked out well and when we came to do the second eye I was given a heavy sedation not a GA due to Sjogrens, which was great, didn’t know a thing and the op and recovery went smoothly with total recovery in 6 weeks although I could drive in two!

Just make sure you have an experianced surgeon who operates on older difficult patients regularly so he knows how to deal with all sorts of issues. I’m sure you will have no problems.

My eyes are LESS dry and I’m loving being able to go glasses free at times.

[Carcrashgal in reply to Star13]

Sorry about the complications, but brilliant that it worked out so well. My chap is experienced, and certainly appears to know what he's doing so I am reassured - thank you!

[nottypical]

Had the right eye done at Addenbrookes yesterday. Reported to reception 1230 & released ca 1515. most of the time was waiting for the eyedrops - 4 sets of two with time to take effect in between. Actual op not at all painful - just initially surprising when lots of water over the open eye. I think they probably did explain to me, buy without hearing aid couldn't really hear. Was aware though that every move was being explained to students. Very disappointed that was told to have steroid eyedrops 4 times daily for a month. Most uncomfortable was wearing the eye shield at night as they eye kept watering & you just have to put up with it. Watering no longer a problem. It was interesting that, immediately after the op with the right eye totally covered by the shield, that I was seeing double. Back to normal now now though it's tiring to read. This is expected.

All in all a very good experience

[Carcrashgal]

Thanks: good to hear so much positive experience, even with the unexpected bits. I'll report back in a couple of weeks

[Betty909090]

What can be a problem is the self administration of three different eye drops at differing times.

With antibiotics you have to complete the course to avoid creating superbugs?!

Strict hygiene is necessary otherwise it’s easy to get an eye infection.

[Carcrashgal in reply to Betty909090]

Thanks for the warning. After last year's news ear-fatal pneumonia/sepsis/kidney failure adventure I will take no chances: for the first time in my life I will actually set medication alarms to make sure of not missing!

[Cottar]

I have both Lupus and Sjögrens and had bilateral (both eyes at once) cataract surgery at the end of July and it all went brilliantly. After the surgery I had to be extra careful applying eye drops, both the steroid and the usual ones to avoid any infection and I did find I was needing to put drops in every few hours but the results were so worth it. Being aware again of the bright colours and the details in the world around is uplifting, I wish you all the best with your cataract journey, just keep eye drops with you at all times.

[Carcrashgal]

brilliant- thank you! I am all geared up for the eye drops 👁️

[Betty909090]

Also don’t forget dark 👓 to bring with you!👆☝️

Immediately after the cataract op I was very LIGHT SENSITIVE afterwards and many days afterwards, even at night with traffic HEADLIGHTS!

Can be painfully intrusive with the new replacement lenses letting in much MORE light compared to previously ☁️ lenses. ALL THE BEST!

[Carcrashgal]

oh – I wouldn't have thought of that, so thank you for the reminder!

[kingsnorth]

l had both eyes done last year 3 month gap between operations. My lovely surgeon knew about sjogrens. I didn’t have any problems with either eye and was given eye drops to use after. The first couple of days after the op it felt like my eyes were really gritty but once that sensation went l was fine. I needed to use sunglasses for a long time because the light hurt my eyes in fact l still do. I have sjogrens and lupus

[Carcrashgal]

thank you for this. Every answer is helping me prepare a little more, so I am hugely gratefully to you all for taking the time to respond. Be well, everyone!