dizziness of visual origin

[musicalJ]

I have GCA but, so far, no eye problems. 3 weeks ago I had a cataract operation. Ever since I have been having visual disturbances (things seem to shimmer) that upset my balance. They are helped by wearing polaroid sunglasses, but indoors that often makes things so dark that I can't see what I am doing. My theory is that the problem is caused by the drops I am putting in my eye, which make the tear film a bit thicker; the other eye is seeing things clearly, so my brain doesn't know which way to jump. Has anyone else had this problem? A couple of days ago the problems seemed to be easing, but yesterday and today they are bad again. I've got 4 more days to go on the inflammatory drops; they have also given me a viscous lubricant (I've had dry eye all my life) which I don't like because it thickens the tear film. I'm currently tapering from 10 to 9 mg prednisolone.

[Koalajane]

can you contact the clinic where you had your cataract op to ask about this

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Is the treatment what the cataract surgeon has recommended? I would want to know their take on it.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Agree with PMRpro - can you contact eye department tomorrow for advice.

[musicalJ in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you all. I will ring and see whether I can talk to anyone who might help.

[EdithWales]

Hi MusicalJ

I am sorry this has happened. I had GCA and had both cataracts done while taking 10mgs of Prednisolone. My recovery was uneventful, I agree with the others you need the advice of the clinic, don’t leave it

[RachelJDH]

I had this shimmering effect on and off after my cataract op in April too. It does seem to have largely gone and I haven't passed through any time portal while it was happening. I don't think this is down to polymyalgia or steroids just the op/plus eyebrows.

[musicalJ in reply to RachelJDH]

Thank you Rachel, that is reassuring. I have rung the hospital where I had the op and they told me to book a follow up appointment with my optician. I have done that and have an appointment for Friday, which will be exactly 4 weeks after the op.

[RachelJDH in reply to musicalJ]

Oh good luck. I foolishly leave things too long as I hate visiting doctors. Let me know how you get on. X

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to RachelJDH]

On the other hand - if you go to the doctor early, you will often get away with far fewer visits in the end!!! And very occasionally it might even save your life!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to musicalJ]

Let us know how you get on please…

[musicalJ in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks for your sympathy and interest. This afternoon I went to my optician for a follow-up to the cataract surgery. I was pleased that the man I saw was the one who originally told me I had GCA. He thinks my current problems are due to a combination of light sensitivity, the fact that the new lens doesn't match the one that was put in the other eye when I had a cataract operation nearly 7 years ago and the instability of my tear film. He reassured me that he will be able to prescribe glasses that will restore normality, but he was unable to do so today because I found it impossible to read any of his charts with my left eye (the one that had the cataract op 4 weeks ago). He found that although there was lubricant gel in my eye the surface of my eye was very dry, making it impossible for me to focus on anything. We agreed that I would go back to the lubricant I was using before the op and use it more frequently. He has given me another appointment for next Wednesday and told me to put lubricant in my eye 20 minutes beforehand. It's reassuring to know that help is at hand, but it looks like taking another couple of weeks or so before my problems are solved.

[Sarnano]

Not sure if I can be of MUCH use, but here goes... I have long-standing PMR. After reducing to 0 it flared and I am now stuck on 7.5mg per day. I have had both cataracts done in that period. I did not have the same problem as you, but seems to me that you have enough "visual disturbance" to warrant a trip to A&E (Moorfields if possible). Having said that I also had trouble with the post-cataract eyedrops. Not the same trouble (mine was to do with pain), but when they changed the drops to another type the problems went away. Good luck with it.

[AtopicGuy]

This link may be helpful; it's from a good source:

optegra.com/eye-health-blog...

[musicalJ in reply to AtopicGuy]

Thanks, that covers the blurred vision but not the shimmering effect; however, it encourages me to think the optician may be able to help me on Friday. As I had my operation at Optegra (as an NHS patient) I was amused by the statement that they follow patients closely after surgery - if you are an NHS patient they pass you back to whoever referred you.

[Missus835]

Yes I had a shimmering effect after my first cataract was done. The Ophthalmologist said that often there is a reflection on the interocular lens. He had me put my hand up along side my eye to see if it stopped and it did. Had it not, he said he might have had to replace the lens. Also I found that the Pred eye drops irritated the eye (which are very dry at best). With the second cataract surgery he injected the eyelid with various meds, no drops. It was much better. Both are great now. They do take awhile to settle. Always best to have them checked.

[musicalJ in reply to Missus835]

Thank you Missus, that is comforting to know. I hope they will not have to replace my lens. I've got a follow-up appointment on Friday.

[SheffieldJane]

You can’t be too careful with GCA hovering in the picture. I would urge you to see your Opthalmologist as a matter of priority. X