Bad day at the opthamologist.
Posted , 16 users are following.
Hi all, well I had my appointment today with the Neuro-ophthalmologist and things are not great. If you've read any of my previous posts, you may remember a few weeks ago I had a different appointment with a different doc. who told me I needed to have eye surgery within a yrs. time cuz I was in danger of losing my eyesight in one eye due to a combination of an "atypical" cataract, pmr and prednisone. I also mentioned I couldn't aford it! Now today's doc. told me I need this done asap (within a month) as he suspects prednisone is expeditiously speeding up the growth of the cataract. Same problem still exists....$$$. I got so much information today, I've not yet processed it. In fact, I've got a call in to doc. to go over some of what I was told. Something about 4th nerve diminishing??? and several other things. My brain's on overload right now. The only thing that keeps ringing in my ear is "loss of sight"! I'll keep you posted after I speak more with him. Thanks for listening....Lynda
0 likes, 24 replies
Mrs_Hobbles lynda62707
Posted
That's all very frightening and doctors don't spare us with information like that! What dose of pred are you on now Lynda? I was told by an opthalmist that pred can affect your eyesight, i.e. put greater pressure on your eyes and make you're eyesight worse at higher levels. When I was on 60mgs pred, I really struggled with my sight and was told there was no point in changing my prescription until I reduced the dosage. I don't have a cataract but wonder would this have anything to do with your eyesight now, if you are on a higher dosage? Wishing you all the best with it, it is desperately worrying when there's any mention of losing eyesight!
lynda62707 Mrs_Hobbles
Posted
Thank you mrs hobbles. I'm on 16.5mg of prednisone. I think that's kinda a moderately low dosage, but it's Still having it's negative effects, (along with the good benefits, of course!). But I guess the real problem is as it relates to prednisone and my type of cataract (which is supposedly atypical) is it highly exacerbates the growth of the cataract, therefore making my timeframe much more limited. Doc doesn't want me to go off prednisone, but he does say it's imperative I have this done ASAP! I trust this guy. He's from a great hospital in San Francisco, Ca. He spent almost 3hrs with me today (which is almost unheard of)!. I'm going in 3wks for a surgical consultation to see what my options are, both medically AND financially. I guess I'll know more then. Gonna be a LONG 3 wks!!
Mrs_Hobbles lynda62707
Posted
It is going to be a long 3 weeks, my heart goes out to you! That's amazing the doctor spent 3 hours with you, unheard of and no wonder your poor brain was addled after that consultation! So the 16.5mg wouldn't be affecting yior eyesight but is affecting the growth of the cataract, definitely making the next three weeks very anxious ones!
Flutterbie57 lynda62707
Posted
I hope your Health system has an alternative way of giving you the treatment you require for less $$$
margaret22251 lynda62707
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Frit lynda62707
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BettyE lynda62707
Posted
The word cataract has me jumping up and down as I'm waiting to "qualify" to have mine done.
I think I was lucky in that Pred. ( eight years worth ) did not seem to speed them up. I've always had 12 monthly free eye tests because my father had glaucoma so my eyes have been well watched. How fortunate we are here though I wonder for how much longer!
I could jump the ever lengthening queue by having them done privately but that really goes against the grain. What will happen to people who can't pay? Well, lynda, your story tells us. I'm horrified. Not sure what it costs here; I believe around £3000 each eye.
Could your consultant put you in touch with possible financial help? It seem ridiculous that someone gives that long consultation and then has to abandon you.
You'll be in and on my mind. Hope thoughts help; wish they could solve the problem.
EileenH lynda62707
Posted
The most expensive part of cataract ops is probably the type of replacement lens used. The simplest, single vision ones are still not cheap - but far less than some of the fancier ones which are like variofocal specs. It used to be they just removed the clouded lens - and people wore strong glasses. That is probably the sort of surgery done in Africa at the clinics there.
https://columbiaeyeclinic.com/people-need-glasses-cataract-surgery/
https://www.preventblindness.org/what-kind-lens-will-replace-my-cataract-lens
Are there no options to help low income patients?
Silver49 lynda62707
Posted
It must be very frightening for you and when we are in a situation like yours it is difficult to think clearly. Would it help to write down what is a priority? By that, I mean possibly your first thought may be how you pay for the surgery. Would it be worth phoning the hospital in advance of your next appointment and ascertaining whether they can point you in the direction of financial assistance? I'm not sure how it works there but another option would be to contact social services as they may be able to apply for financial help. I realise you may already be following up on this. Best wishes and remember there are people in other countries awake and can respond to your questions when others are asleep.