EYES. Pred+Sunshine can = Cataracts...

[jinasc]

I had GCA and when it was first diagnosed, I already was wearing spectacles. My Optician once she knew I had GCA changed my lens to re-actolite rapide.

At that time (2007) I had the beginning of cataracts and they have never grown since my specs were changed. Even though I have been in remission and off pred for quite some time they have still not grown. Fingers crossed.

Pred and sunshine just don't like each other and can cause cataracts to start and existing ones to grow."

If you do not wear specs, then sunglasses. Best to take precautions.

PS: I also was given night driving glasses.

PPS: I have written this post as just lately they have been quite a few posts on Cataracts and Pred and thought a separate post might just draw attention to the problem.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

good idea...just about to pm you on another subject

[Charlie1boy]

That was an interesting post. I have worn reactolite glasses for a number of years now, including before being diagnosed. I did have the beginnings of cataracts then, but they seem not to have got much worse at all, so it seems that I can endorse what you have written.Regards

Paddy

[strawclutching]

I just found this out last week at my first Optician's appointment in three years. This was a 45 minute appointment as I have diabetes (40 years +) as well as GCA (since 6 months). The optician found my lenses were 'yellowing' and growing thicker. Also the eye pressure had gone up. She was a fountain of knowledge about GCA and didn't mind answering all my questions. So different from my GP (who has less time per appointment and is rather more impatient). I'm picking up new tinted glasses tomorrow. So important to know these facts. 😊

[jinasc in reply to strawclutching]

All Opticians are trained to spot the symptoms of GCA. They know how to spot it from your eyes when testing.

Bridget, my optician, when I went for a change of specs, about 4 weeks into GCA. I did not tell her about the GCA. 5 minutes into the eyes exam - she said, sorry I am sending for an ambulance and warning them it is urgent as you have GCA.

I then told her I knew and had been pred 60mg of pred for the last four weeks. We had a good old chat. Bridget then arranged the free eye test every six months for GCA people.

Those two free eyes tests, irrespective of age, per year were withdrawn later on.

[strawclutching in reply to jinasc]

That's brilliant to get a confirmation straight away even if you didn't need it. My optician is seeing me in six months to check pressures again. She made me feel cared for. My GP had the chance to recognise my GCA symptoms twice in three weeks and still sent me away to take paracetamol. Luckily I had Google to give me the heads up and to take my concerns to A& E.