Medical Question - Cataracts - Steroids

Laneco · 08:11 AM

My father has severe emphysema and is on a long term steroid prescription, and obviously oxygen, to help with his breathing. His condition has advanced to COPD and he is being medicated for that as well (I don't know what THAT medication is - haven't been out to their place for a few weeks).

When we delivered his car to him (the Monte Carlo that we redid as a surprise) in mid-June, I rode in the back seat while he drove around the whole day. Honestly, his driving was atrocious.... This coming from a man who has driven heavy commercial trucks all of his life and as recently as a year ago with a flawless driving record. I attributed it to him being too embarassed to keep the oxygen cannula on with all the picture takers and other car show people around. I took full coverage out on the Monte the following Monday as without question, he's going to damage the car and frankly, I've put a whole lotta money into it...

Anyway, yesterday my Mom calls me because Dad can't see out of one eye. I ask if his speech is clear (yes) and can he smile without it being lopsided (yes), and no pain. A quick call to the Doctor, come in immediately (but not emergency room). They determine that Dad has cataracts in both eyes, one is quite severe and that it is related to the long term steroid use. I didn't speak with the doctor - he was also seen by an opthalmologist who concurred.

My question is this... Is there an effective treatment or laser surgery for cataracts and how quickly will they come back/spread with his continued steroid use?

Or did Dad already drive his car for the last time...

angela

charlesbahn · charlesbahn's Garage

Cataracts are very treatable- surgery is about 98% safe and effective. Surgery has improved greatly, with small incisions and implants, many patients achieve near normal vision very quickly- usually days.

Steroid cataracts are removed in the same manner as regular cataracts, the techniques are the same for both. Lasers are generally not used except for "touch-ups" after the surgery.

The emphysema may make the surgery more difficult as he must lie still for about 15-30 minutes.

Hope this helps.

Charles

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

His vision has been going for a while. Generally they are done with IV sedation, not put to sleep. He will be stunned how much better he can see. My dad just got this done a month or two ago, said he can see better now than he did when he was in high school.

Think replacing a sandblasted windshield with a nice new one.

billybek · billybek's Garage

My mom just had one done last week and is waiting another week to get the other done.
No big problems with the surgery, but the difference in the vision in each eye is causing her to be uncomfortable watching TV and reading.

Crowbob · 09-15-2009, 06:34 PM

Mom should wear a patch on the untreated eye, maybe. Seems like that would work..

Laneco · 09-16-2009, 04:05 AM

Your mom will definately have to participate in "talk like pirate day" ARRRRR!

This seems to be cautiously good news for Dad. Do one eye at a time, the bad one first. I think I'll get him a patch when the surgery is scheduled. He'll get a kick out of that.

Certainly explains the driving... It was pretty odd. He was grabbing the car every weekend for a little side trip. Then about a month and a half ago, we headed out of town for a show. He nearly drove the Monte into the back of Steve's cabby. Hasn't driven the Monte since. I should have put two and two together and realized that something was wrong.

I think I'll drive the Monte to the car show this weekend, maybe pick him up so Mom doesn't have to drive him into town.

angela

nota · 09-16-2009, 05:56 AM

I had both eyes done at under age 50
one bad day after feeling like the eye is full of sand
quickly goes away and I could see fine

they put in a plastic lens and remove the cloudy real lens
so a true cat can't come back
what can happen in a few years is the sack the lens is in
gets cloudy but a quick laser shot cures that
they can correct near or farsightedness and other flaws too
I went from extreme nearsight to near normal 20/25

Laneco · 09-18-2009, 06:22 AM

Holy cow, the Doctor told my parents that Dad's cataracts are a "rapid onset" type and will get worse much quicker.

He wasn't kidding. Dad's lost most of his vision in the other eye now. We're talking in the space of a week going from reading a newspaper (probably mostly with one eye) to being legally blind.

His surgery is scheduled for the first eye on October 8th. Thanks for the advice Pelicans. It's good for him to know from other "real" people that this is going to be OK.

angela

Laneco · 11-14-2009, 10:41 AM

Just thought I would update this thread. Dad had his first surgery on the 8th and the second one last week. Implants in both eyes now.

He had his vision checked yesterday as part of the follow up and is now 20/20 and 20/25 without glasses. My Dad can see basically as well as he did when he was about 30.

Easy procedure, no pain, just a feeling for a few days afterward like a bit of grit in his eyes.

angela