Cataracts and RA

[Shanim]

Hi, does anybody know of a proven link between cataracts and RA please ?

[Matalow]

Shamim,I don't know if there's any proven link but I strongly suspect that there may be one.I have to change prescription every 6 months as my cataracts are getting worse.

They are not at the stage that warrant a operation on the NHS and a private operation is about 5k,so I'll continue changing specs.

Regards Mike

[bevlin]

Funny you should ask as my mum  has had RA for over forty years and has had to have cataracts removed  ....but as she is eighty I suppose it could be down to wear and tear and old age? I was told by my optician that I must have annual eye tests as the RA does affect the eyes, mine are are sore and feel like they have sand in them for most of the time so I think it's a possibility......one more body part giving up the ghost!!!

[helixhelix]

RA does affect the eyes, often causing dry eyes, and it's relatively common to have eye conditions like uveitis or sjorgens alongside.    But I've never read of a specific link with cataracts.

However, since cataracts are fairly common among the over 50's there's going to be quite a few people who have both by coincidence. 

[Cagsie]

I have had RA for nearly 10 years, had a slow developing cataract in my right eye for a few years. Was referred to have it removed which could take six months. Was told I had a small cataract developing in my left eye also. One morning a few weeks later I woke up and thought my house was on fire because all I could see was swirling mist. Saw the optician who said the cataract in my left eye had developed extremely quickly. I was left unable to drive so resorted to private care for one eye. £2500 lighter a few months later the NHS did my left eye. I do think there is a link, when you think there has always been a problem with dry eyes and RA, the inflammatory response our bodies go through everyday must have a reaction.

[Carriacou1937]

If you are on Steroids for RA, the steroids can cause or accelerate existing cataracts.

[smithfield in reply to Carriacou1937]

That is interesting I did not know about that link. I have cataracts, take steroids ans have RD

[Paula-C]

I've just been told I've got one starting in my right eye.  My left eye is a lazy eye so my right one is what I call my good eye.  I'm not very happy about it at all.  It was found during a routine eye test, I had had a contact lens eye check up at the end of Feb and it wasn't there then.  

I had an appointment the following day with my nurse specalist (my six month anti tnf checkup) so I asked her if it was RA related.  She said that it's only long term steriod use that can cause one.  I have to keep a diary and send it to Manchester uni every six months recording any illnesses etc that I get while I am taking Enbrel, I'm going to put it on there because it is still a relatively new drug. 

It's a bit worrying really, did say to my husband last night how bad do you have to be before they operate?  I know it's not the end of the world and there is far worse things an optician can diagnose, but I'm still not a happy bunny. 

[jinirules]

I am in my 30s and have cataract in both eyes the left one more severe than the right  but that is coz I had 2 retinal detachments in my left eye and was told I would develop cataract because of the operations. I was never told there's a connection with my RA but I also have Sjorgen's. I am refusing to remove the cataract in my left eye which can be done on the NHS till I am atleast 45. It was embarrassing enough to have retinal detachment in my early 30s  with everyone commenting how their parents or grandparents had that operation. 😬😜

[ambita]

I had both my eyes done because of cataracts when I was 52.  I did not have diabetes, was not on steroids at the time but I had just been diagnosed with RA and Sjorgrens Syndrome despite having both for the past 20 years and my GP said I developed cataracts because of the RA.  A few years before the cataract op I had Bletheritis and infection in my eyes, Eireitis, not sure of the spelling but there is definitely a link and now my eyes are very very dry! 

[ssing45 in reply to ambita]

I think I am your twin. Having cataract removed soon. was wondering if I should stop taking Enbrel prior?

[Shanim]

Thank you all for your replies, I have developed cataracts in both eyes within the last 2 years, I went to the opticians last week and they called the hospital there and then, like Paulac I have a very bad eye which is lazy,  has a Stigmatism, and everything you might want in a bad eye, the other eye was once good but has deteriorated slightly with age, I am 57, so the worst Cataract apparently is in my better eye, I have an appointment with a specialist on Wednesday as thankfully I have private health with my job, so I will know more then.

The main reason I ask you all for your comments is because I am struggling to get a diagnosis for inflammatory arthritis, 18 months ago I had a disc removed and another one trimmed and everything seems to have gone mad since then, although I did have a very stressful job, which I put first through thick and thin, so I think I might have hit a brick wall, so to speak.  I have seen a rheumatologist, an orthopeadic foot specialist and an orthopeadic hand specialist, I had electronic tests, which showed all these things, but the only diagnosis I can get is that I am suffering from, OA, plantis faciatis, carpel tunnel, degenerative disc disease and sacroiliac joint problems, I am in constant pain everywhere, and can barely walk and do normal things with my hands as they are both so stiff. I have had an MRI on my back but only X-rays on my hands and feet, and now I have these cataracts that have come Out of the blue, I knew my eyesight had got worse, night driving has had to stop,  but as I am taking both Lyrica and Tramadol for the nerve damage caused by the disc I had removed, I had put it down to that. I have had blood tests that show nothing inflammatory but the last one I had 2 weeks ago has shown a very slightly low white blood cell count, so I have to be tested again in 2 weeks. My GP is completely dismissive and I felt the same about the rheumatologist, so I suffer daily, nightly and can't get any meaningful help 😡

[DC56]

I think you might find its a link with the steroids you take for RA that's cause the problem 

[KaysDad]

You have probably had enough replies already but,  just to add to the list,  I, too, have had cataracts in both eyes about 2 years after diagnosis (aged 63).  It has been suggested that this was related to (first) Hydroxychloroquin or alternatively the steroid injections.   The good news is that, after the operation, vision was wonderful - so bright and colourful and I can see at a distance for the first time in my life without specs!

[Coastwalker]

No, but I do know  that cataracts are a known side effect of taking a Statin and that statins are handed out to many that probably don't need them. 

[darb1]

Yes, my hubby was on statin drugs for years and he developed cataracts.  However, his went bad VERY quickly when he was doing chemo for Pancreatic Cancer.  They were giving him Dexamethezone and every other steroid on the planet (high doses).  He had the one eye done and figured he'd pass away before the other one had to be done.  Well, his last few months got so bad that he had to do the other eye just to see good enough to drive.  Luckily, he was able to enjoy cruising for a few months in his Corvette that I bought him for his 67th birthday.

No one "ever' mentioned steroids causing his cataracts, and I figured it out myself!!  Good Luck to all those who need the cataracts done.  I have Sjogren's and one eye is getting worse so I suspect I will be doing the surgery myself.  The worse part of it is putting in drops so often (on a scheduled regimen) for a couple weeks. 

[Shanim]

Thank you all, I am not on statins or steroids as I haven't yet been diagnosed with having an inflammatory arthritis

[s7j7e7]

My own experience is that when put on a short course of Prednisolone steroid tablets for a skin reaction caused by Cimzia, I began developing cataracts in both eyes within a week of starting the tablets. I stopped the steroids immediately and my eyes reverted to normal without any subsequent ill-effects. Cataracts are a known possible side-effect of certain steroids. I am currently taking Prednisolone again (20mg daily for 2 weeks, reducing by 5mg per fortnight) but have not developed any symptoms this time. I do not believe my RD caused the cataracts, since I have never been troubled by them before (having had RD since 2010) or since, but the RD does seem to have caused dry eyes, necessitating almost-daily eye drops (Hylo-Tears) first thing every morning.  Do make sure you have an annual check-up with a reputable optician.

[DelicateInput]

RA does cause inflammation in the eye known as dry eyes, which is very uncomfortable.  The inflammation then causes both cataracts and glaucoma, and in addition retinal damage.  If you have eye inflammation and then develop both cataracts and glaucoma at the same time, then it is pretty certain that RA is the cause.

I developed RA principally in hands/arms and one shoulder in July 2014.  An eye test then showed peripheral shadows, which were not there the previous year.  I had trouble with my eyes, particularly my left eye, and went for another test and new glasses in August 2015 and the optician confirmed the start of cataracts.  I went recently and the optician is uncertain about glaucoma and there seems to be retinal damage though he said it is very slight but has written to the GP.  He is not sure if the cataract in one eye is getting much larger, hopefully, and it might not be retinal damage.

My mother had RA at 31.  It cleared up after six months and she had no further issues with it.  However, she developed dry gritty eyes and artherschlerosis at 60, suddenly, and later cataracts.

Unfortunately, the more severe effects of RA are arthritis in the eye and in the arteries (and the lung), and it is these that seem to cause reduced longevity in RA sufferers.  From my observations, these developments appear later in life and it is not simply a matter of ageing. 

I was researching the internet recently and found confirmation that RA does cause these eye conditions but unfortunately can't find the webpage and articles at the moment.

I have never seen anything on here about these manifestations and I assume that either it is because younger people are contributing or because of an over concentration on joint damage and inflammation.

[Shanim in reply to DelicateInput]

Hi delicateinput, I think you are right, the website that I have looked at at is healthline.com, if you need it for future ref. It is only 2 years since my last eye test and there was no mention of any sign of cataracts, so they have come to the fore very quickly. I am definitely going to check with the eye doctor tomorrow and if he says he thinks that could be the cause I am going to ask him to write to my GP. 

Thanks 

[Loves2read]

Hello, I am 46 and have been on low-dose (5-15 mg) of prednisone for a year and a half, which is when I was tentatively diagnosed with RA. I also started Arava 8 weeks ago. I noticed a change in my distance vision a month ago. Last week I had my annual exam with the optician and he said I was developing cataracts in both eyes. He mentioned that he felt this was due to the prednisone use due to the location of the cataracts on the lens, which he had seen before in other patients on long term steroids. I was very shocked, as was my rheumatologist, since I have been on such a low dose compared to some.

[popsmith1874]

Hi I've had RA and Oa since 2014 I'm on mtx sulfazalasine and hydrox and my eyes have deteriorated since then, I went for an examination a month ago and he said I've got cateacts now , plus my eyes get very dry as well, I'm 51 and I believe it's down to my RA

[nomoreheels]

Not personally but it's something my Optometrist is especially aware of because he knows I'm on steroids. A read of this explaining how RD can affect the eyes may help nras.org.uk/ocular-manifest...

[sandybrown]

Cataracts develop for many reasons. Please ask your specialist all the questions and write down the answers.

I had both my eyes done on private, the first operation was good the left eye but the right eye after two weeks of the first operation, had a small problem with my right eye operation.

Please read all about the operation before hand, there are a lot of information available. Some time both or one eye can develop  a problem  after few years of the operation and this problem can be corrected by laser. Do ask question on this. Six years after my operation I had laser correction on my right eye on NHS. I am fine on both eyes now. Do ask questions on the type of lese you want as well, many options available nowadays. First week after your operation you need to take care with medication, rest and eye protection from sun light.

Just for your records go to the option and get photo of the back of your eyes to see the difference before and after operation. You can ask for a computer file of the photo to keep it for your records!

[suinfy3]

Not sure about cataracts, but I am definately having problems with dehydration of the eyes

[Simba1992]

Some reading on the subject.

arthritis.org/living-with-a...