Cataracts

22 years ago

I am new to this forum.But I need advise.I went to the eye dr for exam because I am having trouble seeing clear.It has been going on for awhile.I had a good exam for as they really checked my eyes from front and back.The dr asked for my husband to come in so he could speak to him.He asked me if I ever taken predisone.I reply yes.I have for many years due to my back,having 3 back surgeries and needing another one,my dr puts a shot in my back ever 3 months.Well than the eye dr said it has made cataracts on my eyes.I have one on each eye.He said I need to have them removed.He said my eyes are in bad shape.He asked how long had I been having problems with my eyes and I said for a long while.My question is,has anyone ever heard of this and can anyone tell me what to expect from the time I get to the hospital to I go home.The dr said I will be going into a operating room to have this done.My husband and I asked again ,you mean a operating room.He said yes.He said they don't put me to sleep.As you may can tell I am very scared.I am 42 years old.Any help would be greatly apprecaited and thanks for your time.Also what number is best when they say you can see,so and so.He told me my number and I was wandering if it is bad.Catlady

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Comments (3)

joann23456
22 years ago
That's awful. The doctor who gave you the prednisone never mentioned the possibility of cataracts?

Both my parents had outpatient cataract surgery, and both were pleasantly surprised by how quick and relatively painless it was and by how quickly their vision returned.

I'm not sure about surgery in an operating room. Have you quizzed your doctor on everything you have questions about? Why you need to be in the hospital, how long the surgery takes, when will your sight return, potential problems, etc.

I did a quick search on Google and found this WebMD article on cataract surgery, which may help. Good luck.

Here is a link that might be useful: cataract surgery
PeaBee4
22 years ago
They have only recently found out that sometimes steroids can cause cataracts. I had them and I will always wonder if it was because I had to take prednisone for asthma.

The surgery is a breeze. Of course, things can go wrong even in getting a even a toe nail removed, but this is really considered very low risk surgery. It should be done in a hospital or clinic Operating room that has been specially set up for eye surgery. It takes only a few minutes. Your total time in the hospital will probably be less that 2 hours. I didn't even have to take off my clothes or shoes. You will be put into a very slight "sleep." You will need someone to drive you home and since you will be very sleepy, it's a good idea idea to have someone with you. You will need eye drops every few hours for about a week. If you can do it yourself, fine, if not, someone will have to do it for you.

As far as your eyesight afterwards, it will be as good as it was before the catatracts developed. You may not even need glasses.

You are going to be suprised at how much improvement you have.
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Thanks all. I'd hoped you would post, Sleeperblues! I'm still unsure about having an IV with anesthesia for my left eye -- supposed to happen in two weeks. I don't believe I received any injection at the eye this time -- just a lot of numbing drops. It's not that I had a problem with the IV sedative, just that I wonder if it is really necessary. (If I was paying for this independently -- without Medicare and supplementary -- I'd be pretty upset that this is "routine".) On to another related question... I had the cataract surgery Thursday, so I'm now on Day Two with my new Toric lens. I do not have as good distance vision in my right, operated eye, as I have with my glasses correcting my left eye, and I have fuzzy middle distance vision. Maybe this will improve? Or, have I received the wrong prescription? I need to feel more confident before I have the left eye operated on. At the MD's office, my right eye tested well enough "to pass the driver's license requirements". BTW, my opthalmologist said he has often done surgery without the IV anesthesia, but only for people who can't tolerate or just don't want "drugs in their system". Eccentric -- I can really feel your pain at not being sedated. My first sinus surgery began before I was adequately sedated. This was in a teaching hospital with interns working under both surgeon and anesthetist. They were breaking my cheekbones to permit more drainage. (I don't think this is done anymore.) I gasped. The MD saw what was happening and yelled at the anesthetist. Great. Then I was given so much sedation that I could not move or speak. I was terrified I would choke to death on my own saliva. No one noticed this. In recovery, I gradually regained movement and just sobbed and sobbed. (Guess I could have used that darn Versed then, huh?)
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catlady15
Original Author
22 years ago
Thank you both for your time.I meet with the surgery dr next thurs.For as the dr that gave me these shots over these years,nope not one time has he even mentioned a side affect.I can blame myself.I should have been more asking.But I guess now I pay for my mistakes.He did say for sure it would be done in the operating room.That is one thing that got me all scared.I am making a list to my questions for next week to ask.I even thought I was too young to have cataracts.Also my fear as I guess you can understand why,what if it don't go as planned and I get in worst shape than I am now.But I guess we must not look to what if and think positive.Thanks again both of you for your time and the information.Catlady

Cataracts

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joann23456

PeaBee4

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