Cataracts?

[Peter B]

Hello All,
As always I hope everyone is doing as well as can be expected. If I'm not mistaken, last week someone mentioned opiate-induced cataracts. Is this true or am I just imagining it? I'm not an alarmist when it comes to my health and I'm no hypochondriac but I am having some eye issues as of late and before I see an opthamalogist I'd like to be as informed as much as possible.

Thank you all so very much,

Pete

[Kathi49]

Peter,

I BELIEVE it was Mark N. that mentioned that. But I will let Mark speak for himself. More recently my Opthamologist THOUGHT there was something going on in my innner eye. He did a look see but there was nothing wrong. But he did say steroids or long term steroid use could do something to the inner eye. Optic nerve...that is what it was. Anyway, my eyes were fine. Hopefully Mark will be along later and explain what it was about his eyes.

[Mark N]

Yes my right eye is starting to form crystal on the lens and my eye doc said it wasn't unusual for those of us that use of opiates. He said mine was advanced enough that within a couple of years I would need to do something.

[Kathi49]

Mark,

It is pretty cool surgery to watch. ;) Just had to tease you. No, seriously, I watched a video on it when my mom was having hers done. I was amazed at how fast it went and quick recovery is.

[Maggie]

I have a cataract on one eye and the other one has a macular hole. Not sure if it is related to long term use of opioids or not. None of the specialists could tell me much about the macular hole except that it can't be helped until it goes all the way through.

I think maybe steroids could be related to eye disease also.

Maggie

[Jo6]

Peter, I finally found some one that had mentioned the cataracts. It is CM#1. She mentioned it in alzheimers forun, but also I read some of on Chit Chat. She is CM # 1 on the FlashChat.

It did stick with me because I will have both eyes done soon. I am scared to death too!! Guess I am just a pansy when it comes to pain, especially in and around the eye. The belly botton too.:p I cringe just thinking about getting my gall bladder plulled out of the belly botton!!:eek:

If you learn anything to get rid of the hebiejebings let me know.

happy hunting, Jo

[Kathi49]

Jo6,

I just talked to my mother about her cataract surgery just to verify some things and I hope it helps. :) She said she had an IV or was basically put to sleep. Woke up a short time later and no pain whatsoever. I asked her if there was any burning or any discomfort later one and she said not at all. The thing she said that bothered her the most was she forgot her sunglasses when they did the first eye and was blinded for a second from sun! :eek: (She went back in and they gave her a pair). But that's it...no problems. Oh, and she had the other eye done shortly thereafter...same thing...no problems.

[Mark N]

Kathi, My mother had this surgery too and although I didn't see the video she didn't have any trouble with her surgery. Pete and Jo, I have only heard of good results from the surgery with little pain. I know there are exceptions but it isn't common.