Cataract surgery due to steroid medication

[CagePow]

Hi all, I have Minimal Change Disease and have been on various doses of prednisolone since Nov 22. I've now got cataracts and my right eye needs surgery. I'm 39 and most of the information online seems targeted at older patients. Can anyone offer advice? For instance I'm used to wearing glasses for short-sightedness, but understand that the norm would be to be left long-sighted. I don't want this, is a surgeon likely to challenge that or is it my decision? How does it work when you have surgery on one eye (left eye is currently ok, but might obviously deteriorate at any point). What is recovery like? I work and have young children so I need to understand what help I'll need for them too. I'm so overwhelmed with it all, any suggestions or advice would be amazing.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

You have reached a group for Chronic Kidney Disease. You did not mention if you have CKD.

[CagePow in reply to orangecity41]

Hi, I have Minimal Change Disease, egfr is currently 70. I didn't realise the group was so specific but presumably has members who also suffer from side effects of steroids?

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador in reply to CagePow]

Hi CagePow,

Yes, we do have members with IGAN, Membraneous Nephropathy and other kidney disorders in the same family as yours, as I am one of them.

I wish that life were simple, but unfortunately it is not.

As far as the cataracts are concerned, I have heard of people who have developed them from steroid use.

Cataracts develop over time, they are generally associated with but not exclusive to people over 55.

Speak to your eye surgeon about the ocular implants available as they do have multi-focal lenses which cover both distance and close up vision; you may have to pay extra for them but you will have the benefit of not wearing glasses.

Please feel free to reach out at any time as support is here. It's a process and will work out.

Bet

[Herkidney]

hi. I am a kidney transplant recipient and I developed cataracts as a result of steroid use (part of my anti-rejection medicine protocol).

The recovery from the surgery was one day for each eye. The right eye surgery was completed two weeks after the left eye surgery. As far as lens implants are concerned, you have to speak to your surgeon. Otherwise the surgery and recovery went smoothly and did not cause any significant hardship at all. Good luck to you.

[CatOnACloud]

First Ive heard of steroids causing cataracts, though I am not surprised at yet another symptom from their use. I also didn’t know you could get both distance and near vision recovered. Amazing!

My mom had two rounds of cataract surgery and was left without near vision correction. You get your sight back quickly, but you really have to be careful against injuries. It shouldn’t be too much of a hardship with kids.

I have many issues relating to steroid use as I don’t have any fully working adrenal glands. I must take them for life, too, even though they cause me so many problems.

There aren’t any dedicated boards in the kidney group here to steroids, though you will find posts that are helpful. I would absolutely search for more dedicated boards, more specific ones, to find even more help.

Best, Adrienne

[mybirdbuddie]

Hi CagePow, yes, of course its your decision as to what happens to any part of your body!!! Must admit I am very much older than you (87 years) and, like you had to start wearing reading glasses at the age of 40. My eyes eventually needed bifocals for both short and long distance sight. Last year I had my cataracts removed and what a difference. My distance sight is amazing however I still need to use reading glasses which to my mind is better than having to continue wearing full time glasses. There was no need for a recovery period as soon as cataracts were removed I only had to wait for my new reading glasses. Do hope my experience has helped you a little.

[drmind]

I had cataract surgery as part of a research project and got multi focal lens put in. It was amazing. I didn't have to wear glasses for about 8 to 10 years. Eyes were done a week apart. Vision corrected within a few days. It was quick and no pain or fuss other than getting the eyedrops in without messing that up. Good luck.