Cataracts and hypothyroidism

[Batty1]

I did my 6 month check up with Rheumy for psoriatic arthritis and as always she puts the flashlight in my eyes and this time she did it and sat back looked through my health record and started asking me the following questions.

1. Do you have trouble driving at night (Yes)

2. Do bright lights bother you (Yes, for as long as I can remember)

3. Do you have trouble reading with glasses and without (Yes, for a while now)

I asked her why are you ask me these things. I said to her you never asked me about my eyes 6 months ago and she said 6 months ago you didn’t have cataracts on both eyes!

Can cataracts develop in 6 months and can this be related to being hypo I’m (thyroid-less) or could it be just me turning 50?

She told me I must see eye doctor as soon as I can, which I do every 2 yrs. I’m scheduled for Tuesday.

Yes, I wear glasses to read and I don’t smoke or drink and I wear sunglasses year round I always hated the sun in my eyes it burns and has been like this for 20+ yrs.

[jimh111]

I don't know about cataracts but hypothyroidism causes high cholesterol and cholesterol can deposit in the eyes, this is reversible when hypothyroidism is treated. Maybe get your cholesterol level checked although an eye specialist will recognise cataracts.

[Batty1 in reply to jimh111]

My cholesterol is horrible it jumped 30 points in 6 weeks of my thyroid meds changed and I'm currently on crestor 5mg.

My Rheumy looked at my Cholesterol levels and she said your cholesterol (LDL) is related to my thyroid health and it needs to be addressed (her words) I told her my Endo said my thyroid numbers have nothing to do with my cholesterol levels and she said (he is wrong) and it's a good thing your seeing Dr.Ball since he only deals with thyroid disease, thyroid cancer and cholesterol issue's.

I will hold my breath though when it comes to Dr.Ball he might just drop the ball when it comes to me.

[jimh111 in reply to Batty1]

The endocrine is wrong.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Batty1

I have my eyes tested every year and in 12 months I went from no sign of any (that my optician mentioned) to "you have the start of cataracts" last January.

I personally don't think they're connected to hypothyroidism, I've been diagnosed/treated for over 45 years and no sign previously. I have quite a few friends who are either at the same stage as me or have had their cataracts treated, none of them have hypothyroidism and some were younger than me when they had them done.

[Batty1 in reply to SeasideSusie]

So your saying I'm just getting old 😢 lol. I've had so many hiccups with being thyroidless that I honestly think everything is because of it, I often wonder if I can ever move past the stress this disease has caused.

[shaws]

I've been diagnosed two weeks ago with a cataract in one eye - out of the blue as it wasn't there at my last eye test.

I have been told it could be due to 'aging'.

nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye...

[Batty1 in reply to shaws]

I feel like I aged 10 years in the past 3 ...stinks oh well!

[shaws in reply to Batty1]

It's amazing how many symptoms we can get but I think that may be down to what we're prescribed to replace thyroid hormones.

[bantam12]

Cataracts are considered a part of getting older and are extremely common, I know so many people with them who aren't hypo.

I had one cataract done 6 months ago and the other will need doing at some stage, my sister has had both eyes done and her husband also needs both done.

My sight is worse after the op ☹️

[Batty1 in reply to bantam12]

My mother told me to NOT do cataract surgery to soon as this is the reason behind her horrible vision now....hmmm

[bantam12 in reply to Batty1]

I worded it wrongly, my vision is better in that the fuzziness is gone but I now need 3 pairs of specs instead of 2. My issue is the other eye hasn't adjusted plus I have macular degeneration.

I had to have the op otherwise I would have had to give up driving which was not an option. I have no hesitation is getting the other one done when I need to.

My sister had both down and she doesn't need glasses at all now.

[Marz]

I have all your symptoms and was diagnosed with the beginnings of Macular Degfeneration three years ago. I was checked before leaving Greece last September and things had remained the same. I also have early signs of cataracts.

I researched MD and found a guy in the US who had written a book saying AMD - Age Related Macular Degeneration - was not age-related but diet related. We exchanged e-mails and he eventually agreed mine was an absorption issue due to gut surgery for TB and Crohns - rather than poor diet. Happy to share more info ...

So although there is not a direct link with being Hypo and eye issues I do feel they should be considered. We can easily look at diet and absorption to improve many aspects of our health including it seems - our eyes.

[Batty1 in reply to Marz]

I would like more info. My mother has AMD (dry version) and life pretty stinky for her as her loss it happening quicker she's 80. I hope I don't get AMD I'm not 50 yet.

[Marz in reply to Batty1]

Professor Chris Knobbe - an Opthalmologist. Website of the same name where you will find more information about his work and you can download his e-book.

[Marz in reply to Batty1]

Did you find the website and book ? Was it helpful ?

[shaws in reply to Marz]

That's good information Marz and I also know of someone who had Macular etc etc. (now deceased).

[Marz in reply to shaws]

Yes I am finding it difficult to cope with - knowing it is degenerative. I have always had a good diet from childhood so Prof Knobbe agreed mine was an absorption issue due to Crohns. He said absorption was something he had not covered in his book ! As we know most Hashimotos sufferers have absorption issues - so that is the possible connection. I have white writing on a black background on my phone which helps !

[mcooper]

I have been told the same! I am 51 and reviewed annually at the glaucoma clinic. At my last appointment I was told cataracts developing! Not sure if thyroid related but everything seems to be !