Uveitis and cataracts
Posted , 6 users are following.
I have had uveitis for 8 years bilateral and both anterior and posterior with frequent flare ups. The longest I have ever been between flare ups is 12 months despite taking 5g prednisolone daily. In addition I have had macular aneurysm and loss of colour vision in my left eye and macular oedema in my right eye. I have at times also had raised intraoculr pressure.
i have now been told I have cataracts in both eyes and the one in the left eye is ready for operating on. However I have also been told that cataracts are more complicated in people with uveitis especially for people like me who have recurrent uveitis. Is there anyone out there who has recurrent uveitis and has also had a cataract operation. Was it helpful? Any particular problems. Anything I need to be aware of?
0 likes, 5 replies
mrsmop gill70346
Posted
Hi Gill, I have had uveitis in my left eye [thank goodness it is only one eye] for 40 years and developed a cataract quite quickly. I had it removed in 1992.
I had to have an implant with a special coating because I suffered from iritis/uveitis. I also had to have laser treatment about 6 or 8 weeks following the implant.
I did go for fairly long periods without problems in the beginning but for the past 15 years [I would guess it is], I haven't been without steroid drops at all and the Consultant thought I would probably have to be on one drop a day for the rest of my life, except when I have a major flare.
Nearly 3 years ago, one of the Research Fellows thought that my uveitis had been caused by the herpes virus and started me on Aciclovir 800mg per day and again, I was told that would be for the rest of my life. The flares haven't been as frequent as they used to be but, I also developed another autoimmune disease and have been on oral steroids for nearly 3 years, which could also keep my uveitis at bay.
So, inanswer to your question, have the op but check to see whether you have to have a specially coated implant and make sure you get it if you need it.
After your op, you may find the sun brighter because you have lost the natural filter that you had with your own lens but I have had no problems with my implant.
Good luck
gill70346 mrsmop
Posted
Nanulance gill70346
Posted
only problem I have had is dry ey and irritated eyes ..this affected both eyes ..
good luck
yemi99649 gill70346
Posted
I totally sympathise. This is my 19th year of chronic iritis uveitis in both eyes. As a result of the steroid eye drops, I developed cataracts and have implants in both eyes. The first op was in 2000 and the second in 2002. I had to take oral steriods for six weeks before and after each operation because I have autoimmune disease to bring the inflammation down so that I can be operated on. Because of the chronic inflammation, cataract op is more complicated for us so, my consultant decided it was best to have the ops under general aneasthetic to minimise the risk of bleeding during the op.
I was scared at first at the thought of the cataract operation but once I had the first eye done - I wished I had had it done sooner. Once the op is over and you can open your eyes, it like being in another world. You can see immediately and everything is so much clearer to the point that you can see all the cobwebs on the ceiling once again and all the ants crawling about. The distant lense implant means you can see for miles. Seriously, it is a straight forward operation and nothing to worry about. Make sure you follow to the letter all the pre and post-op medication and dos and don'ts. Make sure you wear the eye patch to bed for the first seven days as they tell you to and sunglasses when outside. They key thing also is to take time off to recover and ensure good healing.
With technology nowadays, you probably won't even need reading glasses with your implants.
A couple of years after each op, I have had one off laser treatment to zap the edges of the capsules (tissue starts to grow over) for a clearer, sharper focus. Since then, my implants have been fine and I use my drops at least once a day on average.
Regarding the oral steroids, I was determined not to pile on the weight so I ate sensibly and exercised. I have never been discharged from the eye clinic and have regular check up which is now down to once a year.
If you do need reading glasses, make sure you have the lenses coated with anti glare and always have sunglasses in your bag.
Good luck with your op.
sophie48028 gill70346
Posted
Iv had reoccurring uveitis since 2015 after waking up almost blind, continued steroid treatment over a long period of time along with at least 7 dexamethasone implants in each eye caused a significant cataract in my right eye, i had this removed in august along with the dexamethasone (ozurdex) implants i went to hospital yesterday for the left cataract removing when i got there after doing eye scans they told me the inflammation was back and i have to have the implants done again really starting to lose hope I'm only 35 and i feel like I'm Getting nowhere with them. Iv been told its down to an over active immune system? anyone have the same problems and is there light at the end of the tunnel? x