cataract

[Greensleeves]

Hi all,

I realise cataracts are commonplace from Steroid use .

I’ve had one for years, possibly from a childhood eye injury. It’s now becoming a problem , affecting my sight.

It’s Encapsulated, not as straightforward.

My main concern is healing.

It took a year for my leg to heal.

Do you advise i just go for it and get it done.

Obviously our sight is paramount.

Also silly things such as our waterworks, I have to lean forward to get the flow going.

sorry it’s TMI , but I’m thinking of potentially 6 weeks.

Thank you in advance and I’m sorry for complaining when so many have things much worse such as DL.

x

[SheffieldJane]

I would suggest that you discuss this with your Opthalmologist or your optician first, to see whether they recommend surgery at present. I have been told that mine are really small and don’t need to be operated on yet, if at all.

This is the right place to come for advice or to let off steam or just to share experiences, don’t apologise for it. The healing question is a good one and again you need to discuss it with someone who knows. Do you mean because Prednisalone can slow healing down? I would discuss urine flow with the GP. I believe that it is a common issue as we get older. Sorry not to be able to answer more fully.

[Greensleeves in reply to SheffieldJane]

Hi Jane

You’ve been more than helpful and thank you so very much.

I look here every single day , it’s my comfort, strange as that sounds.

They want to remove it as I can barely see now from that eye , the other eye is fine .

I’ve got the pre op on Friday and surgery next Wednesday. I’ll certainly ask all the questions on Friday.

Healing has become a problem since being on steroids for so long now.

I feel the people here will have more insight on Prednisilone healing than medics . Although probably a large proportion of their patients are taking Steroids.

I burned my leg,it was only initially superficial, it turned into a hole where you could actually see inside it . It took over a year to heal over. Bruises and all cuts take weeks to recover now .

Urine flow is all connected to getting older, bowels and prolapses. Some of us aren’t affected others seem to be.

GP has prescribed topical oestrogen and a nightly antibiotic .

Thank you, i hope your cataract stays small and doesn’t ever need treatment.

Take care x

[Mfaepink1973 in reply to Greensleeves]

Regarding the urine flow problems apparently leaning forward with elbows on knees is considered the best position to ensure the bladder is emptied.

[Greensleeves in reply to Mfaepink1973]

Thank you, I do that but get so bored sometimes .

I’ll have to make sure I look upwards and not at the floor.

How you miss the days when it was a quick dash in and out .. x

[Koalajane in reply to Greensleeves]

I had a cataract op thst had a problem, it healed well enough by the following week to sort it out and there was no problem with healing after a longer eye op or the second cataract op. You should be fine. My problem was that I had had a fair few injections in the eye that had the problem but all done now and it is great.

[Greensleeves in reply to Koalajane]

Hi Jane ,

Thank you for responding. You’ve had a difficult time with cataract surgeries,

Did it take longer than the expected 6 to 8 weeks for you ?

The injections in the eye sound painful.

I haven’t worried about the procedure, apart from healing and living my impatient awkward self round it.

I’m glad everything is great for you now .

Take care x

[Koalajane in reply to Greensleeves]

Thanks, the first eye was done fairly quickly from ne telling the opthamologist I had cataracts, I think I had the first op in about 6 weeks but had a longer wait for the second,

The eye injections are okay, I have recently been having a steroid implant in the eye which I thought I would feel but didn’t. This has meant I only have to have it every 6 months. You do get numbing drops before the injections.

As for the cataract ops you don’t feel a thing.

[Greensleeves in reply to Koalajane]

Thank you Jane , your eyes have been a nuisance for you.

You have been through a lot with them.

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I’m very thankful. I’ve got pre op tomorrow and surgery next week.

I worked out I should hopefully be back to normal early August.

Good luck with your future Steroid injections .

Take care x

[random901]

Hi Greensleeves. I have no sight problems apart from a tic which has developed in my L eye. I know what you mean by the waterworks problems, though! Cuts and bruises are taking longer than usual to heal, too. I didn't have these problems before pred (still on 20mg). Tapering really slowly as GCAPMR were diagnosed late in the day. Hope your sight problems are sorted out soon.

[Greensleeves in reply to random901]

Thank you Random, these personal issues are compounded with the Prednisilone.

I think Pred affects our waterworks too , it definitely impacts healing and bruising etc .

I’m sorry you have GCAPMR , you’re doing great managing on 20mg . The slower the taper the better the outcome in my experience.

We can’t take risks with our eyesight, I’m sorry it was picked up late for you , thank goodness it was found.

Thank you for replying and helping.

Take care

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Never apologise - certainly not to me. As my late hubby used to say.. if your issues/pains are making life miserable, then they are just as important as anyone else’s… so don’t denigrate them.

.. and by the way, I came through them, as will you. 🌸

I had my cataract done when I was on 9mg Pred… with no problem whatsoever- but it was bulk standard so no issues with procedure nor recovery. But you do need to discuss with surgeon, and if they are happy then go for it’s.

As for waterworks, a GP appointment methinks…

[Greensleeves in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks so very much DL , I’m not concerned about the procedure it’s when you go through everything and start thinking.

I’ve seen the GP and a urologist, they’ve provided antibiotics to stop infection and blame ageing.

Nothing wrong mechanically.

I’m glad everything worked so well for you, your risks and worries were so much greater.

You were incredibly brave.

Thank you for replying and your advice.

Take care x

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Greensleeves]

Sometimes you can think too much… but guess that’s human nature.

Best wishes 🌸

[Greensleeves in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you DL , I am an overthinker , imagining all scenarios. Good and not so good.

Take care and best wishes

🌸

[agingfeminist]

Just a quick note...my ophthalmologist said it is possible to distinguish between cataracts caused by pred and those that are an accompaniment to getting older. My cataracts fall in the latter category (despite pred for over 4 years) and are not ready for surgery.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to agingfeminist]

There are very clear sorts but I think pred speeds up the formation of the aging variety too. But in researching my answer I learned something - did you know diabetes drugs and methotrexate can also be implicated in cataract formation?

[Greensleeves in reply to PMRpro]

Hi PMRpro

I suspect Pred has sped this up over a 5 year period . It didn’t cause any problems before then.

I’m thankful I don’t have diabetes and wouldn’t take Methotrexate no matter how difficult tapering is . If I was taking either of those medications I’d be blaming them for sure .

Take care x

[Greensleeves in reply to agingfeminist]

Thank you, I didn’t realise there were different types until recently . I first knew I had a cataract when I was in my early 20’s and had an eye test ,

I’d hoped I needed glasses because I liked them! I was disappointed when told my eyesight was perfect , although the ophthalmologist told me I had a cataract.

It didn’t affect my sight and was probably from an eye injury when I was a child .

I have needed glasses for reading for some time now, hadn’t had an eye exam since 2019 . I’d noticed it was becoming difficult to see from my right eye, I’ve been reading with one eye closed . I had them tested and the ophthalmologist said she was surprised I could see anything from that eye. I presumed the cataract had grown from steroids.

I’m not sure if it’s the original small one or a new one from aging or Pred , I’ll ask tomorrow when I have the pre op . All i know is it’s encapsulated and trickier .

Thank you for replying I’m hoping yours stay small . x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Greensleeves]

Is this the sort?

allaboutvision.com/conditio...

Sounds like it is the original one that pred has woken up.

[Greensleeves in reply to PMRpro]

Yes that’s the culprit, I think you’re right . The Pred has woken it and it’s fast . I’ve never been a smoker, drinker or sun bather . I was hit in the eye with a hockey stick, i suspect that caused the original one .

Thank you Pro , from reading that article it doesn’t seem too tricky at all. x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Greensleeves]

Hope it all goes well.

[Greensleeves in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you x

[Timelost]

I’m with you on all your issues Greensleeves. I just bump my leg through trousers and it bleeds and takes weeks or even months to heal. Waterworks problems too…and at the moment I am on antibiotics for an UTI.

I’ve just had my first cataract op and because of macular degeneration I’m having injections in the other eye……waiting to see if it’s possible to have the second one done.

Hope all goes well at your pre op appointment. Just make sure you have all your questions answered.

[Greensleeves in reply to Timelost]

Ah you are in the wars with things , bless you.

I hope your current UTI gets better quickly and this issue with your eye .

Hopefully you can have a second cataract surgery in that eye too if it will help improve the sight.

The Macular Degeneration must be awful, I hope the eye specialists can slow it right down for you.

I will ask all the questions but feel such a fraud.

It must have been difficult for you when they were doing the cataract surgery on your good eye , you were brave.

Take care x

[Timelost in reply to Greensleeves]

Let us know how you get on x

[Greensleeves in reply to Timelost]

I will do , please don’t worry . You too , let us know if you can have the surgery. x

[Missus835]

Hi Greensleeves. I just had my two regular cataracts done. Second one two weeks ago. Ophthalmologist says they are healing well. Like you, cuts and such take forever and I've had the same pimple on my chin for months. Dare not squeeze it though or it would become like a boil. Not sure about the water works. Do trot about 3X a night, sitting on loo with eyes closed. Lol.

[Greensleeves in reply to Missus835]

Hi Missus ,

Thank you for replying and sharing your experience.

Well done getting yours done, I’m glad they’re healing well.

Having cuts and such are a nuisance, once you’ve done some thing to yourself , even a scratch takes forever and leaves a red trail.

I completely understand about your pimple turning into a boil if you squeezed it. I hope it goes away of its own accord.

Unfortunately more people are up several times a night, broken sleep isn’t great for us .

They should invent something so you don’t have to get out of bed, I don’t mean a catheter, something friendly.

Take care x