My mum has been diagnosed with cataract in both eyes.......?

Question

she is 53 and has very bad asthma, we have private health insurance and they have said it will only be day surgery, 1 eye at at time and it is due to her steroids for her asthma, is this true and will it cause any long term problems ?

Answer 1

Cataract surgery is done out-patient all of the time, and I've never heard of any terrible complications from it. Cataract surgery is very successful in restoring vision. In fact, it is the most frequently performed surgery in the United States, with over 1.5 million cataract surgeries done each year. Nine out of 10 people who have cataract surgery regain very good vision, somewhere between 20/20 and 20/40.

If you are asking whether or not cataracts are a side-effect of steroids, the answer is yes. High-dosage, long-term dosage of steroids can indeed cause cataracts. Subcapsular cataracts begin at the back of the lens. People with diabetes, high farsightedness, retinitis pigmentosa or those taking high doses of steroids may develop subcapsular cataracts.

Answer 2

First of all, the cataracts are correctible, and unless the glaucoma has been ignored long enough to cause vision damage, then the glaucoma is treatable. SSDI is for people with permanent disabilities that prevent them from working. Since you have fixable conditions which have not prevented you from working full time, you do not qualify. A bus pass (or parking permit) are not true markers of disability. Most states or municipalities only require a simple form and vague guidelines to qualify. I would suggest you forget SSDI and look into Medicaid or a similar state-funded insurance for low-income people if you can't afford insurance, then get the cataracts fixed and get treated for the glaucoma, otherwise, you will eventually go blind and have no trouble applying for SSDI (although that will be the least of your worries then!)

Answer 3

Hi There ,I hope this helps. My friend is asthmatic and has been taking inhalers for years also steroids called prednisolone .
She uses a nebulizer and she is 82 years young. She had been almost blind for twelve years because she was terrified of hospitals.
Eventually she plucked the courage to get her cataract done
and what a difference it made she could even pick up a needle she had dropped on the carpet. Your mum will be a new woman.
Good Luck To Her.

Answer 4

Don't think so.Once a cataract is formed, a surgical procedure is the only way to restore vision. The surgeon will remove the lens with the cataract and replace it with a clear, plastic intraocular lens (IOL).More details at http://eye-care.in/cataract.html

Answer 5

don't know about steroids/asthma but the cataract surgery in general will be brilliant for her cos it will mean she is able to see again a lot more clearly. it should give her a new lease of life - after all she is still young enough to enjoy it. hope all goes well.

Answer 6

I have cataracts mostly due to taking oral steroids since my body no longer makes any.

I had one done several years ago and it was amazing. You don't realize how much better you "could " see.
I am 46.
Good luck

Answer 7

cataracts are common as we age... a lot has to do with UV rays from the sun...tanning beds are a big cause as well... however longtime steroid use could be the issue as steroids have many negative side effects on the body.... surgery is safe, easy and practically painless...and they do it one eye at a time so at least you have some vision as the other eye heals...

Answer 8

if you live in a western country, cataract surgery is quite safe, and you don't really have anything to worry about.

Answer 9

No probs- i had a relative who had this done. However, it is down to the quality of the eye surgeon- the best eye hospital in the world is moorfields eye hospital in London- highly recommended! Ask for a referal to there if possible- they are excellent.

http://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/Home

Answer 10

i know plenty who have had this done.yes its very quick and eyesight is restored