Cataracts

[ayoung]

Has anyone suddenly got cataracts on both eyes? Is it caused by prednisone or PMR?

[scats]

Yes. Optician said probably caused by pred, Came on very quickly.

[Zofitmogelijk]

Hi Ayoung, it depends on what you call suddenly. This winter I had the cataracts on both eyes, and it took some weeks to develop to a state I could no longer drive my car. 35 and 40 % Went to the eye dr. and he made an appointment for new lenses. If the visus becomes bad and its caused by prednison it is a fast one, the cataract. Have you seen your gp already? I have the eyes of a 20 year old now. This is a problem that can be solved. Good luck.

[Jamie345]

Hi there I have developed cataracts in both eyes since February 2018 just been back to specsavers as new glasses are no good they checked my eyes said the cataracts have got a lot worse especially the right eye, but still not ready to be done, maybe by the end of the year so I hope so as uncomfortable can't wait! also I have giant cell so that's reason I'm more concerned

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Jamie345]

Hi Jamie,

Think as you have GCA you should to get yourself referred to eye dept at local hospital. With all due respect it’s an ophthalmology surgeon who is going to do the op - not optometrist. See your GP.

[Jamie345 in reply to DorsetLady]

I asked my GP to refer me to the eye hospital and he refused for the second time saying I need the optician to write to him when they are ready! What can I do? He seemed cross I asked again,

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Jamie345]

That doesn’t sound very good to me. Is there anyway you can convince optician to refer even through he doesn’t think they are “ready”. Don’t know what it’s like where you are, but some waiting lists are really long.

I did have leverage in that I only had one eye I guess, but I still had to do a fair bit of whinging! Surgeon said he would normal leave it a bit longer, but I told him I was booked to go to New Zealand and didn’t appreciate paying all that money if I couldn’t see anything when I got there ! I think he took pity on me!

[Jamie345 in reply to DorsetLady]

Hi there, I just want to add I really tried to talk the optician into referring me but he said he could not do that, is there a guideline for them thaT decides if they can send this letter but he said it's going rapidly and as soon as I know it's got worse to come back he thinks by December?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Jamie345]

Hi Jamie,

Please don’t think I’m having a go at you..I’m not, I just think you are being treated shabbily.

Have a look at RNIB webpage, or speak to them, they may be able to assist -

rnib.org.uk/eye-health/your...

[Jamie345 in reply to DorsetLady]

Hi Dorset lady I apologise if I sounded as if I thought you as having a go! No ways would I think that since all this started 18months ago I have very often seeked your advice and have been grateful for doing so as you have helped me such a lot, I will look right now at your suggestion many thanks again

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Jamie345]

🌷no apology needed. I just get a bit “bossy” when I think someone not being treated right!

Good luck. And let me if RNIB any help please

[Telian in reply to Jamie345]

I agree with DL you shouldn't wait that long, I've got them and the surgeon said although they don't look too bad he wanted me to be more settled with the steroids, I'd just had a small flare and my eyes were affected. He said we usually leave them until they become too uncomfortable for the patient! Sounds like you're next on the list! I'd make that appointment if I were you, as you might not get seen that quickly.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Not PMR - it may be the pred alone or it could be pred accelerating the development of cataracts you already had but didn't know about.

[Hidden]

So sorry to hear that ayoung, bummer.

Thank you for reminded that I need to make an eye doctor appointment!!!!!

[jinasc]

When diagnosed with PMR and/or GCA.

The optician should check your eyes. If you already wear glasses, whether you have the start of cataracts or not, they should be changed to re-actolite rapide.

Sunlight, bright lights and pred, don't work well together.

When I developed GCA, my opthamologist immediately changed my glasses and the cataracts are still the same size, they have never grown. 5 years with GCA, remission into 7th year.

PS She also gave me night driving glasses.

[Mstiles in reply to jinasc]

Hi jinasc

What is reactolite rapide? A kind of lense?

At 75 i had baby cataracts before PMR/GCA diagnosis. Have an appt with a cataract and a glaucoma specialist soon as eye pressure has increased and I’m taking medication for that. Vision has definitely gotten worse since all this.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Mstiles]

Lens that darken when you go into sunlight.

[jinasc]

Thank you Freya 😄

[Ronnie101]

I've developed pred induced cataracts. The opthalmist said they weren't age induced as they were growing at the focal point of the eye. They appeared quite quickly.

Frustratingly they aren't bad enough to get replacement lenses on the NHS, but they do affect My vision contrast in bright light.

I'm now on 10mgs of pred and they seem to have stabilised.

By the way, have those of you drivers in the UK with cataracts informed the DVLA and insurance companies? The DVLA website seems to say you have to inform them even if the cataracts do not affect your vision significantly. My optician says not.

[Footfairy-1]

I only have the very start of a cataract in one eye and optician says it has not altered since dx of PMR. That was a year ago and he said only need another test in 2 years. Just wondered if it should be a yearly check because of the PMR?

Also, just before do and since, my eyes get very tired when I've been reading for more than about 10 minutes and I have to close them and usually fall asleep for 15-20mins. When I wake up they are ok. If I don't sleep my eyes feel like I want to close them all the time. I wondered if this is a PMR muscle thing?

[Diane53 in reply to Footfairy-1]

Hi... I think you should mention this to your GP, there are other autoimmune conditions that affect the ocular muscles which should probably be checked out for you.

[Footfairy-1 in reply to Diane53]

Thanks Diane, I'll get it checked.

I haven't seen my GP for about 11 months, only spoke on the phone when I've ordered Pred and it's not what he expects. Haven't seen Rheumy for 5 months - should have seen her mid July but no appointment yet. I'm not bothered as I'm happy reducing meds at my own rate without having to argue with the Rheumy.

[Twopies]

Yes, I got cataracts quickly; they are progressing rapidly. And dry eyes, corneal edema and dry eyes...before pred, only wore mild reading glasses, eyes were perfect.

[Cally55]

Bad luck this is one of preds downsides.

In less than 2 months I became unable to see very much close at all except with strong magnifier, and distance like a very thick fog. Told it was the pred. Local eye dept arranged first op in about two months, had to wait seven for the second. Get yourself referred by gp to eye dept, they seem to be reasonably quick for the first one and as they seem to know more about GCA than most can set your mind at rest!

I found it a pretty terrifying experience, particularly becoming unable to drive over a period of a few days.

The only good news is that eyesight can be retrieved if it is cataracts.

[jennifer15]

Hi,

I have had very slow growing cataracts for a few years. I was told by the optician that they would not need treatment for years.

I was then diagnosed with GCA in Sept 2017 and started on 60mg prednisolone.

I had my eyes tested in November and the optician wrote to my GP as she was not happy about the vision in my left eye. My GP referred me to a (very rude) ophthalmologist who said that I needed my cataracts operating on but he would just discharge me as I was taking steroids and had GCA so should not be operated on. I said that I would like the opinion of a surgeon so he did refer me. The opthalmic surgeon was very nice and said that he thought I should have my right eye operated on ASAP and arranged it for September. I hope that it does not cause a relapse but am glad to be having it treated.

I have noticed that my eyes are much drier than before and much more sensitive to sunlight.

The prednisolone obviously speeded up the cataracts.

I hope that you can see someone and get sorted out soon.

Kind regards,

Jenny

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jennifer15]

Hope you complained about the ophthalmologist!

[jennifer15 in reply to PMRpro]

Hi,

No did not complain. I am just trying to be more assertive as some Dr’s/ consultants are lovely and others are just too type A personality.

Type A personality definition that I found after my son who is an anaesthetist and said that most surgeons are type A.

A temperament characterized by excessive ambition, aggression, competitiveness, drive, impatience, need for control, focus on quantity over quality and unrealistic sense of urgency. It is commonly associated with risk of coronary disease and other stress-related ailments. See also type B personality.

Jenny

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jennifer15]

Matches most surgeons of my acquaintance!!! Though actually I'd disagree with the quantity over quality - the ones I know are all perfectionists.

[judyb100]

I had slowly growing cataracts until I started taking prednisone. Then after about 2 years of prednisone, my optician said that my cataracts had gotten markedly worse and that I would be a candidate for surgery. I had both eyes operated on this summer, and my vision is wonderful. It's so incredible to suddenly see vivid colors and bright whites. If only every body part could be rejuvenated like this!