Ocular hypertension (steroid induced)

[Primarose]

On my last check up at the Eye Hospital, eye pressures are now normal so no more eye drops.

However I was told that there is a tiny sign of a cataract in the left eye. I know it won't go away but how long will it take until the cataracts need attention?.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Can’t say - they grow at their own rate. Mine only took 7 months - had to have reading prescription changed at least twice - but had been on very high doses of Pred.

Surgeon didn’t really want to do it that quickly - but I whinged about only having one eye anyway, icing alone and going to New Zealand for Christmas and having spent a lot of money and not being able to see! So he took pity on me.

Good luck whenever it happens.

[Primarose in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you DorsetLady, I have a right old phobia about people mucking about with my eyes. I just hate going to the Eye Hospital.

I would have thought that your case for a cataract op was top priority at the time.

I saw them do an op on the Monkey Life series and it put me right off.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Primarose]

Actually the worst bit is putting the drops in before (in hospital) and then every day at home afterwards.

The op itself is painless and very quick - just a slightly strange sensation of (for me) when looking at theatre lights - they looked like huge pink marshmallows in the sky!

No it wasn’t a top priority- until I said I didn’t feel safe driving any more - and as I had only been widowed about 12 months before I was concerned being housebound would affect my mental state.

They still huffed and puffed a bit though saying it wasn’t as bad as when they usually operated. So I whined a bit more 😏

[Primarose in reply to DorsetLady]

You don't see them at work then? That is my fear.

Glad you whined at them. You didn't have anyone to help you so you should have been ahead of all the queues.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Primarose]

Too independent for my own good 🤔 always have been. Used to drive hubby mad at times 😂

[SnazzyD]

I have the same and my optician said 6m to 6 years but Pred ones are more aggressive. I equally feel horror at the thought of pointy things near my eyes.

[Primarose in reply to SnazzyD]

I'm a big wuzz when it come to eyes, I'm not bothered by needles or anything else, just the eyes.

[Marijo1951 in reply to Primarose]

I think everybody is rather squeamish about any procedures to do with the eyes. I certainly was, but I had cataracts in both eyes and managed to put my fears to sleep. I'm so glad that I had the operations, which frankly were straightforward and nothing to worry about. My restored sight has made a huge difference to my life.

[Primarose in reply to Marijo1951]

Thanks, you and DorsetLady have been so reassuring. Hopefully I have a long while before anything happens.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

No way to know - some people have them early in pred treatment and they never get worse. Especially if you wear sunglasses or reactolites religiously.

And it depends what sort of cataract. Ordinary cataracts tend to progress relatively slowly but the pred-induced posterior variety can deteriorate in months if not weeks.