Scheduling cataract surgery while on high dosage of prednisone

[Joyful13]

Greetings to all of you. This has been a very stressful few months. I had a GCA flare up while having a mini reunion with 4 dear high school friends in July. I had to increase my Prednisone from 11 to 40mg. Then my precious 99+year old mom died in early August. I was blessed to be with her when she died.

I saw my ophthalmologist before Mom died. I have cataracts in both eyes which are growing because of the increased Prednisone. I also have glaucoma with increased pressures because of Prednisone. My glasses no longer help me with distance, help minimally with reading, etc. I am potentially scheduled for cataract surgery in January, but my ophthalmologist said she will try to schedule me earlier if necessary.

To those of you with cataracts, GCA, when you had cataract surgery, were you on high doses of Prednisone. If so, how was your post op recovery after the cataract surgery?

Thanks for reading this and your replies.

Feeling frustrated with vision, but unsure when to have cataract surgery.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi Joyful13,

Sorry to hear about your Mum, and your flare. Hopefully things are settling a bit now, certainly from the flare- are you still on 40 mg? Or have you managed to get down again?

My cataract was done when I was lower than that, but so long as the surgeon is happy to do the operation, there's no reason why it shouldn't go ahead without any problems. Just make sure everyone is aware and happy with your dose.

Good luck.

[Joyful13 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks DorsetLady,

Yes, I am still on 40mg of Prednisone, but hope to start reducing.

soon. I will talk with my rheumatologist and PCP to get their input as well.

Yes, it is hard losing my Mom even at 99. We were so hoping she would make to her 100th birthday in November. Now, we will have a special memorial and party afterwards to celebrate her life. She was an amazing mom and woman. I will always miss her, but am so thankful to have had so many years with her.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Joyful13]

Yep,

Mine died aged 93, and my Auntie (her sister) died about a week before her 100th birthday!

Enjoy "her" party!

[Sorop in reply to Joyful13]

Hello DorsetLady. I have rapid onset steroid induced cataracts in both eyes and waiting to see an ophthalmologist. My optician who has referred me as urgent said they may refuse to do it as I am on 25mg pred at the moment. I have reduced down from 60mg in nearly two years as have PMR/GCA. I would appreciate your comments and anyone else on the forum who may have had the operation while on this level of steroids.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sorop]

You would be better starting a new thread - more people will see your post that way.

Where are you? In the UK or the USA?

[Sorop in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you PMRpro I am in Wales I will do that.

[Joyful13 in reply to Sorop]

Dear Sorop,

I am now down to 10mg of Prednisone. I was to have cataract surgery on January 10, but have a sprained ankle and fractured elbow. My cataract surgery is now scheduled for March 29. I am also on Actemra infusions again which has enabled me to decrease the Prednisone. However, I have to stop the Actemra a month before surgery.

It has been a long wait for the cataract surgery as my glasses no longer help me much.

I wish you the very best with your surgeries, hopefully sooner than later. In the meantime, be mindful in your walking and moving about. Take care.

[Sorop in reply to Joyful13]

Thank you joyful. What a shame you are having a tough time Sorry to hear about your ankle and elbow I wish you a speedy recovery. It is helpful to hear from people experiencing similar problems. I hope all goes well for your surgery in March. Take care of yourself.

[Joyful13 in reply to Sorop]

Thanks so much, Sorop

[venezia1]

I had my first cataract done last year while on 10mg - not very high - and had absolutely no problems afterwards. The second will be done in the next few months, and I am now on 9mg - had a blip when my partner died in May.

Hope it goes well for you - mine made an amazing difference.

[Joyful13 in reply to venezia1]

Thanks for your encouragement. I wish you the best with your next cataract surgery.