Bit down - just diagnosed with cataracts

[Poshdog]

Was hoping for break after move, just to let dust settle. Went for eye test as sight improving so glasses wrong when hey presto - cataracts. No visible manifestation except sight improvement and no further checks for a year so nothing really to worry about but just one more thing, last straw and all that. Must get into what will be will be mode.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Not good to hear, but doesn't necessarily mean they will deteriorate..you need to ensure good lenses…transitional and wear sunglasses even on days with very little sunlight.

Sure jinasc will be along with advice she was given early days about subject…hers never needed replacing.

[Poshdog in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you for that encouragement, gratefully received. X

[123-go]

Hi. Cataracts only need to be removed when there is significant vision loss/blurring so as your sight is improving there wouldn't be any need for this. There are different types of cataract and varying rates of growth. Regular checks is the way to go and obviously any deterioration needs to be investigated.I hope your move went well.

[Poshdog in reply to 123-go]

Thank you. Move seemed to take forever but now done - phew!

[123-go in reply to Poshdog]

The lead-up was probably worse than the actual move when you had a deadline. Find some time for yourself now. 😉

[Poshdog in reply to 123-go]

You are quite right! It was like planning a military operation with pred head - grateful everyone in right properties with right boxes- give or take one or two 🙄x

[Rosbud]

Fingers crossed your cataracts don’t progress but be assured if they do the op is simple pain free and the results are amazing, I had my first one done 6 weeks ago nd am having the other one done in 10 days and looking forward to it , please make sure you have A good pair of reactolite sunglasses to wear even on dull days x

[Poshdog in reply to Rosbud]

That is really good to hear. Good luck with second op x

[mgrogers99 in reply to Poshdog]

I had mine removed two years ago and had forgotten how colorful the world was. It's not painful at all...a little anxiety perhaps with the first one, making the second surgery a breeze!!! You won't regret it!

[Poshdog in reply to mgrogers99]

Thank you, with so many positive and encouraging comments I am beginning to look forward

[2013mayo]

Poor you, Try not to let it get you down, I too have been told I’ve got the start of cataracts, my sight is shocking at the moment, very blurry, it’s been like that prior to being diagnosed, I keep hoping it will improve once the GCA has stabled .

Take care

Xx

[Poshdog in reply to 2013mayo]

Think it was just shock as thought I was winning!! X

[SnazzyD]

I got steroid induced cataracts that developed over a few months from the previous optician trip. I was upset because the thought of anybody going near my eyes with pokey things gives me the heeby jeebies. I was told that there was no telling how quickly they would develop to the needing treatment stage; it could be 6 months it could be six years. I assumed that because they had appeared out of seemingly nowhere they would develop at the same speed. Well they didn’t and two years or so, no worse. As I came off Pred my eyesight improved in other ways but I don’t like driving at night with headlights and street lamps. I tell myself that if my intervention averse father-in-law can go through replacement so can I. So, it’s not necessarily a rapid spiral and cataract surgery is ten-a-penny. Well, I’ll have to keep telling myself that, but it really is.

[Poshdog in reply to SnazzyD]

Heeby jeebies just about sums it up!

[jinasc]

Yes here goes

When diagnosed with GCA, off to my Opticians, Bridget did not know I had just been diagnosed and half way through the test, said you have to go to A&E now and I will call them and tell them you are on your way. I asked why and she replied I suspect you have GCA. I then explained I had been diagnosed two weeks previously.

Bridget said OK and continued the test..............my lens were then changed to re-actolite rapide.

Bridget told me that Pred+Sunshine was a no - no. The combination caused cataracts to grow and if you already had the beginnings they would grow quickly. I had the beginnings.. 13 years later those cataracts have never grown.

So if you wear glasses re-actolite rapide lens, if you don't wear glasses then a good pair of sunglasses is essential and use them - don't leave the house without them.

Many years later an optician whose Mother had joined the support group - asked if he could come and talk to us about PMR and eyes. I had forgotten about it and only had told people I knew wore glasses....................needless to say he probably got a lot of business but at the next meeting - re-actolite rapide were prominent.

As an aside I learned that all Opticians are trained to spot GCA and sometimes over the years when people have said their GPs were dithering, guess what - I told them to visit their opticians.

I notice the Rosbud wears re-actolite rapide and has joined in with a post. Thank you Rosebud and DL. 👍👍

PS: A good pair of night driving glasses are well worth buying.

[pal-o-mine in reply to jinasc]

Thank you so much for this reply to OP. I did not know about this at all, so am grateful for the info. I was just diagnosed with PMR in July and started on Pred 15mg, now reduced to 13mg. I'm also taking Alendronic as my bone scan showed deteriation from last scan. It's a pity that doctors don't warn you about all the diet, eyes, etc. issues when they prescribe drugs. If it wasn't for this site and lovely people I would blissfully carry on damaging my eyes and whatever other problems arrise from taking Pred. I'm going to make sure I have a decent pair of sunnies.

[jinasc in reply to pal-o-mine]

You would be surpised but most don't know. We do as we have to live and learn from those who have gone before which is one of the more imortant reasons that PMR GCA UK Charity was formed and it still runs on a shoestring with only 2 part timers. Rest are all volunteers.

I put my 'shrapnel' in a jar when I come back from shopping but my 'shrapnel' jar does not fill as quickly as shopping is done on line. Covid has unexpected consequences.

[pal-o-mine in reply to pal-o-mine]

Forgot to mention that I have slight catataracts too, which have not changed much from the previous eye exam to the latest one a couple of weeks ago. Funny thing is my daughter was an optom for over 10 years (now a lady of leisure) and she did warn me about GCA, but failed to advise me about the need for sunglasses. I'll give her a break though as she did advise me about my possible Gloucoma which instigated laser treatment in both my eyes to relieve the pressures.

[jinasc in reply to pal-o-mine]

Perhaps she just clean forgot, which happens to us all. Glaucoma is more serious than Cataracts as I understand.

[Poshdog in reply to jinasc]

Want to thank all for their comments. Don't feel nearly so down with so many replies. The sun is shining and guess what.....just bought new pair of sunglasses! Love to all😎

[Poshdog in reply to jinasc]

Have been out, with mask, buying 🕶. Not got reactolite yet, ordered on Amazon, but the ones I have are really smart. Beginning to feel like new woman!

[Poshdog in reply to jinasc]

Have got the glasses. Thank you for such a comprehensive reply. Bit short of local friends at the moment so thoughts are going inward, not good for me, so doubly appreciate your response 😊

[jinasc in reply to Poshdog]

I did worry that the reply was too long...........

You will always have 'mates' on here, even though it is virtual not face to face. So don't feel alone - our Mantra when the North East charity was up - Newsletter DVD etc 'You are NOT alone' and you never will be. So when up or down or just plain fed up - post.

[Poshdog in reply to jinasc]

No, certainly not too long. Love every reply I get , thank you doesn't really say it all🌻x

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I'm possibly the only person in the forum who will say she is jealous - after 12 years of pred, no sign of cataracts at the last check but I wouldn't be upset if they were to appear, I dream of a life without glasses perched on my nose all the time I am out of my bed!!! I'm very short-sighted - so can read a book but not the computer - and can't see anything clearly further away than that!

[Poshdog in reply to PMRpro]

Oh my goodness - wasn't expecting that! Swap my eyes for your hair?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Poshdog]

Are you sure you want my hair? A white lion's mane of 40s style waves that do their own thing ...

[Poshdog in reply to PMRpro]

Anything is better than mine!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Poshdog]

If you say so!!! But I am getting to get quite attached to my post Covid look - it was a chin level and smooth bob, Decidedly wild now ...

[Poshdog in reply to PMRpro]

I have the stringy just going grey look. So fine if blown takes off vertically and stays there! Long wait before this becomes fashionable I fear. Not even an emoji - they are mostly bald - perhaps they are telling me something.....

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Poshdog]

I look a bit like Crystal Tipps (not the eyes and grin) but the mane is white not purple and natural not permed. I have always rejected the blue rinse - maybe I should think again

[Poshdog in reply to PMRpro]

Had to look up Crystal Tipps - purple is good 👍

[jinasc]

You two are awful reminding me about my hair which is all over the place - so much so that I am thinking of covering all the mirrors in the house ...............👱‍♀️ 💇 💇‍♂️

[Poshdog]

My grandmother told me to cover mirrors with gauze and raise them an inch with every year that passes. She lived to 100, must have been on the ceiling by Then!

[oscarandchloe]

I had both eyes operated on for cataracts 10 years ago - well before Pred and PMR. I had worn glasses for 50 years for severe short sightedness ( bottle bottom effect glasses-hated them) and my surgeon completely corrected this with his wonderful implants. I can see for miles! The op is slightly scary as you are awake but he played soothing music for me and told me what he was doing as I'd asked him to. No pain and I could see perfectly out of operated eye straight away and very little pain afterwards, just have to keep drops in for infection. All in all, it's a miracle - don't be afraid.

[Poshdog in reply to oscarandchloe]

Thank you so much. My mind has really been put at rest - almost looking forward to it now!

[herdysheep]

I think I have said before - cataract ops better than going to the dentist by a country mile.

[Poshdog in reply to herdysheep]

👍😀