Hello...cataracts!! | Arthritis Information

Hello,

It has been awhile since I posted a topic here. I check in a read a bit, rarely posting. Summer keeps me outdoors and away from the PC.

Just thought I would share, I went for my annual eye check and I have started to develop cataracts! Doctor said bad news and good news. He said you have cataracts, bad news. Good news, they can take care of them easily.

I still am trying to figure any good out of it all. He told me given my age, he is positive that it is caused by the medications I take.

Plaquenil (sp) being a big culprit.

I hope everyone is doing well, and hello and welcome to all the newbies.

Best Wishes,

Lisa

One more thing...I also take methotrexate, I believe this to can cause cataracts. So who really knows. I will say, that I have every intention to continue the meds. The benefit out weighs the risk, for me.Me too, Lisa!

I have the "beginnings of cataracts" and that there isn't enough growth yet to be concerned.. I see my ophthamologist every 3-6 months.. so I am confident she will catch them before they are an issue.

Good luck to you!!

(ETA: I take MTX..and I will continue to take it as well)

babs102010-07-20 12:46:47Hubby just got done with his second cataract surgery. His was caused by detached retinas. First in one eye and then in the other. It's been a hell of a year. This surgery was his sixth. The cataract surgery is a piece of cake these days.

I just feel if you live long enough (hopefully), it's something we all must have done. My sister is an eye doctor and she had seen teenagers who have had to have cataract surgery.

Becky

Well ladies, join the club! I had mine removed and it was a breeze. I was in & out in not time at all. I decided to have it done because I could not see STOP signs until I was right on them. Don't worry about it! Hey Lisa, hubby was just dx with this also... he is a young 57, the Dr says to just wait, til a noticeable change occurs.. did you notice any change in your vision? like Becky says it's a piece of cake these days.... I have cataracts as well-caused by pred. I am just 33-so I wasn't expecting it. I will be having surgery in Dec(got to get through these other surgeries first).

Good news-after the surgery I won't need glasses/contacts anymore!

rocckyd,

I have been following most your updates, you have really been through it! I hope you continue to move forward with success with your recovery.

The eye doc said he would put in a lens inside my eye as well..(shutter)...that will allow me to see with out my multifocal contacts...so that is a positive...that and the surgery is really safe and has most excellent results...

Oh, one more thing..I have taken my share of presisone as well, so sure that has contributed...I am 46

Janlee,

I have noticed vision changes, lights at night are not my friend.

I also have experianced a dimming in my vision off and on. Could be the MS, not really sure. I mentioned it to the eye doc and he said it could be MS or cataracts. Both times the vision dimmed it resolved. Very scary though. I think I might of posted here about it.

I had cataracts removed when I was in my early 50's. I had smoked for many years and that probably contributed to them as well as years of prednisone. Doctor said the fact that I take Plaquenil now was not likely to be a factor.

Ann

Just make sure they keep you a little while after surgery. Hubby had his left eye done on Thursday. He said he was in the recovery room and I was called back immediately. Then they discharged us in less than 5 minutes.

As we drove home (I didn't know this had happened) all of the sudden he passes out. I thought he had had a heart attack and in the middle of a major highway. I totally lost it and called 911. He came to after 2-3 minutes wondering what was happening.

He had to stay overnight in the hospital and they ran a ton of tests. I had thought he had a seizure because of the twitching he was doing but it was just to the low heart rate and then his BP dropped.

Since we've had so many surgeries for his eyes this year, I think we have hit our deductible but if not I am going to see if the surgery center will pay them. They totally let him go too soon. So don't be in a big hurry to leave after surgery. I always was but I won't be from now on.

Becky

I had cataracts removed, when i was 42, and lens put in back in 84 due to Predisone. I stay about 2 1/2 hours. had a patch on my eye over night, had to put drops in. When patch came off next day, It was like someone had cleaned a very dirty window, I could see and read without glasses. I didn't know my eyes were that bad, till they were fixed. Had other eye done a few months later.

I know they have came a long ways in last 26 years, but I don't know how it could be any better, I didn't even have pain. It was done at a surgery center for eyes. very fast, clean and I had the best of care by staff.

Boy what the Pred. has done to me over the years, a very good med. when needed, but better get rid of it as fast as you can.

Thanks for all the advice, I have not scheduled any surgery. The doctor said it has worsened in the last year. Funny thing is he never mentioned it last year. I think I would of remembered. IDK. I am also wondering now if the Plaq has anything to do with it at all. Maybe I am incorrect and he said Predisone. But, I really, really would take it to the bank that he mentioned plaq. I have read that Predisone is a HUGE culprit.

Best Wishes,

Lisa

I was told and I believe that you need to wait as long as you can for surgery, I was told it's better to let them get so big before removing, If we are still on the meds. they will appear again in a few years, I had mine removed with lasser the second time. That is also painless and no recovery time. (can't be done first time, because lens needs to be put in)

have a great day