Cataracts and RA.

[Dogrose]

I've got ongoing problems with my right eye. I was sent to the opthamologist back in January to have my dry eyes checked, this visit coincided with a big flare up and my right eye had developed scleritis so I was given a one month course of steroid eye drops. I didn't finish the course as I was also prescribed Prednisolone by my rheumy at the same time and they worked better to get get rid of the scleritis.

I was also sent for an MRI, as I showed odd nerve patterns at the back of my eye, leading to them finding anomalies in my brain for which I've been referred to a neurologist. but that is unrelated I suppose

I was given another course of steroid drops a couple of months later but again didn't finish them as the scleritis cleared from another course of Prednisolone.

Recently I've noticed my vision in my right eye is often double, my left eye is fine. I asked the opthamologist last week and he had a good check and said it was probably the start of a cataract and that it might have been caused by steroids. Has anyone else developed cataracts and if so what was the cause given?

I also had an osteoporosis scan on the same day, I'm only 47, I feel like an old lady!

XXX

[moallen]

Hi Dogrose

I went to the opticians yesterday and was told that I had a cataract in my right eye. My body is 65 yrs old but my brain thinks I'm 40 ish.

I didn't realise that the drugs could cause this. I'm on 20 mgs MTX per week but I'm still in horrible pain in my feet and my left hand and my ms are wasting rapidly due to lack of use. I'm going to see Physio on Tuesday so hopefully she will be able to help.

[Dogrose in reply to moallen]

Thanks for the reply, it seems steroids can cause it, hope you feel better soon. XXX

[moallen]

Ms should read muscles.

[oldtimer]

I've got a cataract in one eye, only slightly a nuisance at present and being monitored. Unfortunately, it's one of the long list of things that steroids can cause. But I'm pretty ancient anyway, so I might have developed it anyway.

I'm looking forward to my cataract operation as the replacement lens should improve my vision no end, and I won't have to have such thick lenses in my glasses!

I have several friends who have had cataracts removed at younger ages than I am now, and I'm happy about the prospect of an operation. I just hope that i don't have to wait too long for an op. once I need it - but I think I might save up my pennies(or pounds) in case.

[Dogrose in reply to oldtimer]

Thanks for the reply, seems a bit rubbish if it was the steroid drops caused it, I barely used them, that eye is pretty duff anyway though, with the scleritis and iritis and the weird nerve thing at the back it seems bent on self destruction. The opthamologist did keep going on about an operation which I didn't fancy but I don't want to lose my sight! xxx