Cataract Surgery

[Phed]

At the moment I’m on 9mg of steroids, when I went for my assessment in January for a Cataract Operation I was on 3mg now due to a flare up I’m gradually increasing the dosage as I’m still suffering with a bit of pain (also waiting for a telephone consultation from the Doctors as my inflammation markers are up) I’m not sure what dosage I will be on by the time I have the Surgery in March but was wondering if anyone who has had the surgery knows if it matters what dosage of steroids you are on when you have the operation.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

There are people on the forum who have had cataract surgery at a wide range of doses - it is something that tends to vary with surgeon though.

[Phed in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your reply, I will ring the hospital nearer the time to check with them, hopefully the surgery will still be able to go ahead.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I was on about 7mg when mine was done...no issues.

[Phed in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you for your reply.

[herdysheep]

I think I was on 9mg when I had mine. They didn't seem that concerned about the pred. More concerned about BP. Mine turned out to be fairly high and had not been taken for 2 years or so before. They still did the op. Absolutely no probs. Far better than the dentist!

[Phed in reply to herdysheep]

Thank you for your reply, glad to hear it was far better than the dentist as the thought of having the op terrifies me.

[herdysheep in reply to Phed]

I was amazed at how good it was. The surgeons do these ops all the time, which helps! Stick to the advised routine afterwards and be scrupulous with hand and eye hygiene. We are well trained in that now! Rest and resist lifting etc - well trained for that too! Let us know how you get on.

[Phed in reply to herdysheep]

Thank you again for your reply and advice, I really appreciate it, it’s not until the end of March but I will let you know how it all goes.

[Phed in reply to herdysheep]

Just had my first cataract op today, luckily my blood pressure wasn’t to bad, just as you said better than the dentist, and given a cup of tea and biscuit before they would let me go, second booked go 19th April.

[herdysheep in reply to Phed]

Brilliant. Stick to the guidelines and enjoy the new vision. I had to wait months for my second op, so hopefully the second one for you being quicker will be good for the brain. The brain has to make quite a lot of adjustment which I had under estimated!

[Phed in reply to herdysheep]

Definitely will be sticking to the guidelines, never thought about the brain having to make adjustments but it does makes sense.

[Phed in reply to herdysheep]

I hope this isn’t to personal, do you wear prescription glasses? I will still be wearing glasses after my 2nd Cataract op but will have to get eyes retested, I did read somewhere that people with GCA might be better of having reactor light glasses rather than prescription sunglasses, I was wondering if you had any experience with reactor light glasses if you have glasses still as I not sure which way to jump at the moment.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Phed]

The recommendation for reactolites as an alternative to always using sunglasses as soon as you go outside for people who are on steroids is to reduce the likelihood of developing cataracts in the first place. Once you have had a cataract operation you cannot develop cataracts again so you can use ordinary sunglasses as required.

[Phed in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your reply, I think once I have had a new eye test I will just get the prescription sunglasses rather than reactor lights, as that sounds the best way to go after the cataract op.

[herdysheep in reply to Phed]

I do wear prescription specs. and did wear reactolites all the time because of light sensitivity. I had along time between ops which was difficult to accommodate sight wise. No wonder my brain was so tired! My 'new' eyes corrected distance vision (nearly) but not reading vision so new specs were a bit complicated to sort and they are still changing. If you can leave it it as long as poss before a new prescription, that may make the decision easier. A good optician is like gold dust and should be able to advise on what is best for you rather than their profit margin. I ended up with anti glare coating on my varifocals which I wear the most and have prescription sunglasses too.

[Phed in reply to herdysheep]

Thank you for your reply. I’m really glad I don’t have to wait to long for my next eye to be done, I must admit it’s difficult to focus on some things now with one good eye and one cloudy. I have booked an eye test for 7 weeks after the second op, but not sure now if that will be long enough, I agree a good optician is hard to find, I found a brilliant one who when I mentioned I had GCA he was brilliant and told me all the symptoms I had suffered, a year down the line he no longer works their.

[herdysheep in reply to Phed]

Good luck with the next op and hang on to your optician!

[Phed in reply to herdysheep]

Thank you.

[Daffodilia]

Ask the surgeon - I was taking pred when I had my cataract ops and it was ok

[whitefishbay]

I had my cataract surgery whilst on pred. Sorry can’t remember the dose. It was absolutely fine. So great to see better! Best of luck.

[Phed in reply to whitefishbay]

Thank you for reply,

[Nannie-C]

Second cataract removed four weeks ago on 7 mgs. pred. First done in July at 5 mgs. No problems with either, put my antibiotic and steroid drops in four times a day religiously. My consultant also puts antibiotics into eye before completing op for added protection. Follow your instructions given by hospital and you’ll be fine. What a difference it makes, so worth it.

[Telian]

I was on 4mg when I had mine done and had no issues at all.

You will get to speak to the department before your surgery but if worried give them a call now.

[Phed in reply to Telian]

I called the department about my cataract operation and told them at the moment I’m on 11mg against 3mg when I saw them in January this year with the possibility of still increasing as my blood inflammation markers have gone up as I have now developed PMR as well (very disappointing as I was hoping to be off the steroids in March), they said it wouldn’t make any difference to the operation what dosage I was on.

[Telian in reply to Phed]

I think that’s true, have heard it many times. Just look forward to getting good vision again. Mine was a huge success.

[Phed in reply to Telian]

Can’t wait now to get it done even if the thought of it is scary, hopefully mine will be a huge success as well.

[misha453]

I just had cataract surgery on both eyes 2 and 3 weeks ago. The vision is amazing! I was on 2 mg of Prednisone. However, my surgery was supposed to be done a year ago (delayed because of COVID) when I was on 6 mg Prednisone and my surgeon said that was fine and I would heal even faster. My eyes are very light colored and they are still sensitive to bright light so it is helpful to have a good pair of sunglasses while your eyes are recovering. Good luck to you!

[Phed in reply to misha453]

Thank you for your reply, I had my first eye done on 29th March and the second eye is being done on 19th April, the vision in the first eye already is amazing can't wait to get the second one done, I agree the eyes are very sensitive to sun, I will have an eye test 7 weeks after 2nd op and then get new prescription ones but till then I will use a normal pair (good ones) sunglasses as my prescription ones now don't give a clear vision any more. Original I was down to 3mg of steroids when I was booked in for the op for GCA but a month before I was due to go in I developed PMR as well and have ended up on 12mg steroids but it didn't seem to bother them what strength I was on when I was booked thank goodness.