Cataracts

[shella]

Has anyone had cataracts op .... I hear it’s a simple procedure but does Vasculitis GCA have any bearing ?

[SheffieldJane]

I haven’t but if you look to the right of your screen you will find previous discussions. I have heard very encouraging things about the results.

[shella in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you for that - think I am a bit of a worrier.... I know eyesight deteriorating maybe due to steroids taken over 5 years....I can’t find previous discussion yet .... will keep looking.... probably my eyes!

[SheffieldJane in reply to shella]

Do you not see a column to the right of your post with some relevant conversations? I am on an iPad.

Do go to an Eye Specialist for a thorough eye check. We need to take particular care of our eyes. I have been to my very well equipped Opticians for several checks in two years. I was told that I had early cataracts at one appointment but subsequently I was told that it was just the eye ageing and may or may not become cataracts in future years. It is a worry but can be remedied.

[Jamie345 in reply to shella]

Hi shells, I've only been on predisinone for 14 months now and I developed cataracts waiting for them to get worse as specsavers said there not ready yet to be done, yet I know they have got worse so after my holidays I will get a recheck but I've heard from lots that procedure is not bad and to see properly will be wonderful, anyway the pain we have from GCA/PMA is far worse, so don't worry WE will be fine.

[shella in reply to Jamie345]

Thanks for words of comfort..., eyes are always a worry 🙋

[Dobermanlover in reply to shella]

I have now had both eyes done - it was like having a thick fog lifted the next day! They will only do one at a time - the actual op takes about 20/30 mins. Totally pain free, just a bit nerve racking having to keep still, but I had someones's had to hold in case I needed to move (I didn't). Colours are now wonderful and I can see long distance better than I ever could before. Something to thank the pred for!!!! Good luck

[shella in reply to Dobermanlover]

That sounds really great .... hope I will have hand to hold and can keep still long enough! They did mention something about a calendula and anaesthetist? What confuses me is that I was told I would still need glasses?

Love Dobermans!

[Dobermanlover in reply to shella]

If you need glasses for reading you will still need them, but I don't think you will need them for long distance. You just have a local anaesthetic, don't know about calendula. I am sure you will have a hand to hold! Everyone where I had mine done were so lovely, I was actually sort of looking forward to having the second one done!

We are on our 5th Doberman - lovely, beautiful dogs - most don't deserve their reputation and then it's the owners' fault!

[shella in reply to Dobermanlover]

Last time I went to a rescue centre i wanted to take them all home with me!

I seem to be able to see better long distance - nowadays need glasses to eat!

I guess holding hands is rather calming !

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to shella]

The lenses they implant are either for close work or distance - they usually ask you which you would rather have. Most people opt for distance and then you need to use "reading specs" for close work. I know one lady who thought the close work ones would suit her as she did a lot of handwork but regretted it as she realised actually she did far more that required distance vision.

Of course, if you are rich and having it done privately you can have multivision lenses (effectively like variofocals)! Not sure if it is possible to pay the difference with the NHS - they probably don't have the system to cope with it...

[shella in reply to PMRpro]

I didn’t know that there was a choice but the consultant suggested plain lens being more suitable?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to shella]

Possibly - but they will be for one or other distance, not like a plain lens in glasses.

[shella in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks ..., think I will have to ask questions next time !

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi shella,

I had op when I was on 6mg Pred and with GCA (head) no problems. Simple procedure only takes about 20mins, but obviously discuss with surgeon and Rheumy if you have any concerns.

[shella in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you .... I found previous discussion at bottom of iPhone.

I have seen two consultants over the last year or two as I worried about black spots ...very sensitive to light and eyes def getting worse....both have said early cataracts and the consultant I saw today said only putting off the day! I was a bit worried when she mentioned veins?

I am now down to 10 so she is happy to carry out the op. My imagination runs away at times .... so thanks for all your support maybe will start with the lazy eye!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to shella]

Good. You’ll be amazed at the difference.

[shella in reply to DorsetLady]

Brilliant...,, one less thing to get stressed about when glasses go missing !

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to shella]

Yes when both are done you don’t need glasses. Unfortunately because I could only have one done, they gave me long range lens, so I still need reading glasses! And always losing them!

[shella in reply to DorsetLady]

Maybe we can invent a glasses tracker ?!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to shella]

Good idea!

[Thomas45]

I worried about it but I had both eyes done about 4 weeks between them. Absolutely no problems, didn't hurt, and vision now is marvellous

[shella in reply to Thomas45]

Sounds promising.... thanks for putting my mind at rest ....,happy that your sight has improved so much

[polymy]

Hi there,

I have had both eyes done. The procedure took about 20 minutes and the results are fantastic. The implant is made to my glasses prescription so that I only need reading glasses now. I can recommend the op.

Liz.

[shella in reply to polymy]

Sounds good to me .... the consultant did say I would probably still need reading glasses .....but hopefully won’t need glasses to see what’s on my plate !

[shella in reply to shella]

Did you have anaesthetic? Guess it doesn’t put you out completely .... but you might be very relaxed??😴

[polymy in reply to shella]

Only had a local anaesthetic in the eye. Obviously has to be still while they carry out the procedure. I had drops in the eye first. Painless!

[Marijo1951]

I had both my eyes done nearly 7 years ago, a long time before GCA/PMR hit me. I had a fairly advanced cataract in my left eye and one starting in my right eye. I went privately to an Optegra clinic and it was the best decision I ever made. For the first time in my life I had 20-20 vision and no need for specs or contact lenses. As I had a new prescription every year for varifocals at a cost of at least £400, I reckoned if I lived 17 years I'd cover the cost. So another 10 to go. Although most of us feel very squeamish about anything to do with eyes, the operations were very simple and straightforward and the aftercare very easy and not unpleasant.

[shella in reply to Marijo1951]

I am also booked into Optegra.... seems that long term steroids dont help .... really looking forward to not having to wear glasses all the time ....so fingers crossed !! It’s just the thought ... but been told they use anaesthetic so maybe a good thing for one as squeamish as me!!

[Marijo1951 in reply to shella]

Yes, I recall there was an anaesthetic and as I said the operations were nothing to be scared about. I remember the morning after my second operation I stood at my living room window and found I could count the bricks in the block of flats opposite. Before it had just been a blur.

[shella in reply to Marijo1951]

Amazing...👍

[Perkey]

Yes I had both eyes done and now I only need glasses for reading. I had this done about 4 years ago before polymyalgia struck, the best thing I could have had done but perhaps it doesn’t count if I was very fit when I had it done.....gosh very fit what is that ?

[shella in reply to Perkey]

Exactly.... what DOES that word mean? 🤔

[karools16]

Had both eyes done when still on quite high dose Pred for GCA. Marvellous! Local anaesthestic given, and nurse held hand throughout. Honestly, felt nothing and time soon over. Do exactly what you are told re; drops and you will be fine. The transformation in eyesight is nothing short of a miracle. All the best x

[shella in reply to karools16]

Thank you.....as I am there for around two hours guess there is anaesthetic involved.... looking forward to the miracle of better sight and stop worrying! 👁👁xx

[Jackoh in reply to karools16]

Karools what dose were you on when you had cataracts done? I'm on 17/16 butbknow one eye getting worse so I'm about to go to opticians.

[karools16 in reply to Jackoh]

Sorry, I can't actually remember. Have had GCA 12 years and now Addison's. I had 1 eye done before Pred, and that was due to a lifetime of Cortisone for asthma. I started on 60mg Pred. The other was after diagnosis. I am planning on asking/paying for my hospital notes on GCA. My Neuro who treated me, handed me over to my GP, last year, when I was on 3mg Pred.I know they do the op when the cataract is 'ripe/mature'. I couldn't cross the road 1 day, in a care job, and knew it was time. Wish you well.

[Jackoh in reply to karools16]

Thank you Karools16

[judyb100]

I just had cataract surgery on my left eye last week and will have surgery on the other eye next week. I have PMR, not GCA. The surgery went very well and my left eye vision is now shockingly clear. Before I was seeing everything through a brownish-yellow haze. At the hospital, I took some sort of valium-like drug, and the surgery was painless. The vision in my left eye is now 20-20. Hard to believe. But I will need reading glasses.

I've been trying to use reading glasses, taking them on and off as needed, and it drives me crazy. I'm so used to putting my glasses on once in the morning and not having to think about glasses all day. So eventually I'd like to get glasses that are clear on top and magnified on the bottom. My sister and a friend have done this, and it seems to work well.

Several weeks before the surgery, I had a flare and raised my prednisone from 7.5 to 12.5. Thanks the the advice from our PMR/GCA experts here, I'm keeping my dose at 12.5 until I'm all done with the surgery. So far everything is going very well!

[shella]

Great you have 20/20 vision ! I don’t think I look through this haze just more of a fuzzy world but could be down to taking high dose steroids since 2012 when they discovered GCA PMR. I am now on 10 think I will up it slightly before op .... as has been suggested before any stressful situation. Good idea about glasses - I have 3/4 weeks before second op. That will be a bit crazy - as it’s my lazy eye first she doesn’t think it will be hugely different. Wait and see I guess!

[Amanda_iona]

I was terrified but afterwards felt silly as it was so easy. One possible plus is that if you keep the other eye open during the op you may see lovely colours and shapes (not evryone does). I saw lovely green ferns which entertained me during the brief op.

[karools16 in reply to Amanda_iona]

Strange you say that. With the first 1, I told the surgeon I felt as if I was looking through a kaleidoscope...you know, those toys we had as children, with all the coloured bits of glass falling into patterns.....

[shella]

Sounds a simple op ....,all the same think I would rather be 😴zxxx

[karools16 in reply to shella]

My anaesthestic was in the eye and it did seem as if you 'drugged', because unaware of what's happening.

[shella]

I hear they don’t wait till ‘ripe’ nowadays just carried out when it starts interfering with your every day stuff..... hope all goes well

[karools16 in reply to shella]

Shows how times have moved on.

[suszannah]

I have GCA/PMR and on 12mg Pred can't seem to get lower at top of list for cataract surgery but have put it off twice as I am terrified, I keep imagining someone coming towards my eye with a scalpel and don't think I could cope with that... Just wish I was braver I would love to have it done

[karools16 in reply to suszannah]

No worries about seeing someone with a scalpel. They work from behind. You can't see them. I was also scared, but soon put at ease.I had a cloth, like a face-cloth over my face, with just a 'square' left open for the op. When I said I was asthmatic and couldn't have my mouth covered, they adjusted it and I was soon 'off'.ps I had a little 'manual' from the hospital, prior to the op, stating EXACTLY what would happen, incl a nurse holding your hand throughout, mainly so you don't move, and it was done, to the t. I trust all your fears will be allayed.

[suszannah in reply to karools16]

Thank you karools16 you make it sound so easy I just need to let my brain know that lol ... I will ring the hospital Tuesday and see what they have to say... still think being knocked would be a better option if they had it or a strong dose of valium

[karools16 in reply to suszannah]

The first time I asked for a general anaes and they agreed, but shortage beds a problem. Went in, waited for hours for a bed, none, and eventually went home. That's when I decided it had to be the other route. I felt very pleased with myself afterwards.You may well get valium/other, but that was how it was for me.Knowing how it was, I had the other done, a few years later, and all ok again.It's always the fear of the unknown. My surgeon was a huge Asian gent with fingers like bananas. Incredible that he could perform such a delicate op.Let them know how you feel. Most probably feel the same.

[suszannah in reply to karools16]

Thank you so much I feel a little more confident now (Just a little lol) will see what they say Monday .. do they actually put a needle in your eye?

[karools16 in reply to suszannah]

Probably. I felt just the slightest 'prick'. That's why nurse there, so you don't move. Wasn't painful. Like at our surgery, when a blood test, you know it's coming, but still a jolt when it does. I'm like that anyway. Tell you a funny thing; When I asked a nurse why they say 'sharp scratch' before taking blood, she said they used to say 'small prick', which is now banned!

[enan-illuc]

Hi Shella,

I have had the Cataract surgery and had no problem. It does not take long and you see (no pun intended) a great improvement, at least I did. I hope this helps.

[suszannah]

Thank you i just wish i wasn't so much of a wimp

[Narducci]

I had both my cataracts done about 5 years ago. I was very nervous before my first operation but I need not have worried. It is such a commonplace procedure now and does not hurt a bit. One thing I would advise is when they ask you if you want to be sedated that you say YES! They give you an injection of Medazolam and it will totally relax you, so whilst you are still awake you will not have a care in the world!

As far as I am aware having GCA has no bearing with cataracts though I would seek an opinion from either an optician or health professional (GP) if you have a problem with your eyesight with blurry vision, just to make sure it is a cataract that is affecting your sight and not PMR or GCA. Getting it checked out swiftly could save your sight!