cataract surgery and prednisolone dose

[musicalJ]

This morning I had my eyes tested. This time last year I was told I had the beginnings of a cataract in my left eye, due to prednisolone. Today I was told that, thanks to prednisolone, the cataract is now ready for surgery. I said I didn't want it yet, because I am trying to get my prednisolone dose down - my aim (one needs one) is to be ready to venture below 10mg at the end of July. Will I have to increase the dose to have cataract surgery? Would it be better to have it done sooner rather than later (relative terms anyway these days)? In December 2017 I had cataract surgery on my right eye and today I was told that the sack into which the new lens was put is cloudy and needs laser treatment; the optician said she would refer me to get it done ASAP (whenever that might be). Will I need to increase the prednisolone dose for the laser treatment? Advice welcome.

[Koalajane]

I have had laser treatment and cataract surgery plus a vitrectomy for my right eye and didn’t feel the need to up the pred. Laser treatment is not stressful and cataract surgery is very easy and pain free.

I would get it as soon as you can as it will make a big difference to you.

[musicalJ in reply to Koalajane]

Thank you Koalajane, that is very encouraging. Certainly I was disappointed that I was not immediately getting new glasses, as I have been having visual problems.

[Sillydogsmum in reply to Koalajane]

Might I enquire why you had the vitrectomy and how it went? I am very troubled with enormous floaters in both eyes but am wary of pushing for something to be done given my dose of Pred,20mgs this week , and general risks of the procedure.

[Koalajane in reply to Sillydogsmum]

Yes of course you may. It was due to a problem with my first cataract op.

I have macular oedema in that eye and have had a few injections in it. Whilst having the cataract op a few fragments of the cataract fell behind part of the eye and they couldn’t put the new lens in. They gave me drops and a week later did the vitrectomy to remove the fragments and put the new lens in at the same time.

It went very well and the consultant and his junior consultant were wonderful. I had no problems with the cataract op on the second eye and I wasn’t concerned as I was sure if the same thing happened again it could be dealt with.

The vitrectomy was something this consultant is very good at and there were 2 anaesthetists there to monitor things and give a bit more anaesthesia as required. It took about an hour to do and it was not too difficult to stay still.

[Sillydogsmum in reply to Koalajane]

Thanks for that; someone doing vitrectomies regularly is the way to go . Most opthalmologists are super-disinterested in floater problems and I have glaucoma so I will wait a bit till my dose of Pred is a bit lower though.

[Koalajane in reply to Sillydogsmum]

The senior consultant was actually in Egypt when I had my problem and I saw his junior who did the vitrectomy with the senior consultant guiding him. I did speak to him before the op and he was very reassuring and a very nice man. I liked the way that he put the junior right when he asked for stitches and the seniotpr told him there was no need. I am a real fidget when it comes to lying still (I blame PMR) and he told me how well I had done. It was a good atmosphere in the theatre and very reassuring.

[Sillydogsmum in reply to Koalajane]

Its reassuring to hear of folks having a good experience with operative procedures. An hour lying still is certainly a long time......

[Bcol in reply to Sillydogsmum]

OH had hers done on Thursday, in and out in less than an hour and the the whole thing within three weeks of the diagnosis. A lot more efficient than the first one she had the other eye two or three years ago.

[Sillydogsmum in reply to Bcol]

We digressed into vitrectomies or are you referring to cataract surgery ?

[Bcol in reply to Sillydogsmum]

Cataract.

[piglette]

I was told two years ago I had a small cataract. I saw the optician last week and she was saying that the number of people needing surgey for cataracts had doubled. I asked her why and she reckoned people used to be quite happy to go round in a cloudy world, but not so nowadays. Two people in my road have had cataract surgery in the last month. One had both eyes done at the same time. My next door neighbour dropped in as he was going to the pub and announced that he had had cataract surgery the previous afternoon. I would not have known.

[Koalajane in reply to piglette]

I think also they don’t wait until the cataract is “ripe” now as they feel it is better to do it before.

There used to be a backlog of cataract patients but they have outsourced the ops now. I was lucky to wait 1 month from being told at the eye clinic that they needed doing. Mine was done at the local hospital eye clinic.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Koalajane]

The technique has changed so they don't need to wait for it to ripen. I think the demand is higher - can you imagine people putting up with being told they can't drive until it is done?

[Koalajane in reply to PMRpro]

No, certainly people are not so patient and wouldn’t want to wait long either. There seems to be quite a few private medical providers now for it too

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Koalajane]

I get the impression most straightforward cases are being given to private providers to get the waits down.

[Hulotsholiday in reply to PMRpro]

>3.5 yr waiting list for nhs with my health authority but they’re using private sector to reduce waiting list. My right eye was done March 2023. Didn’t increase pred and procedure was totally painless and over in about 20 minutes. I was referred to Spamedica for the op and now awaiting an appointment for other eye.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Koalajane]

For some it not just patience, it’s a matter of actually getting on with life…😉 sure you get my drift.

[Koalajane in reply to DorsetLady]

yes indeed

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

That was exactly my rationale when I requested it be done earlier than surgeon really wanted to…plus living on my own, and spending oodles on my first visit to NZ- and not being able to appreciate the scenery ..😉…oh and only being able to see with,one eye -.which might have swayed his mind…😊

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You wouldn't normally consider increasing the dose of pred for cataract surgery. In the current climate in the UK I would accept the offer when it is there - it might disappear!! (the option, not the cataract!). The other problem is dealt with in a few seconds with a laser, it is the most common problem after cataract surgery and can happen at any time.

[musicalJ in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you all for your encouraging replies; on Monday I will ring the optician and ask to be referred for the cataract surgery as well as the laser treatment.

[Rox2112]

Sorry you're having issues. I just had my lenses zapped with the laser this morning. It was a "piece of cake" & only took 2 minutes.

[ncfaaeos]

My story is very similar. In March this year, I had both eyes done with two weeks in between and did not change my Prednisolone done. I had no problems.

[nissemor]

I too had both mine done at the same time. It didn’t occur to me to think about my pred. No probs. Just go for it! No doubt it will go well.

[Pixix]

my husband has two cataract surgeries & then the left eye became cloudy& he had YAG treatment by laser. It took ten minutes at most, he just stared into a machine, didn’t feel a thing, & itwas over. £900 or wait18 months in our area. I asked if my cataract was due to pred, my optician smiled& said virtually everyone has cataract by the time they are my age!