[Jappy]

Just got back from the eye doctor. As I have said I was having more
problems with my eyes. She said that besides the problems because of ms
the cataracts that she has been watching are growing.

She doesn't want to do anything just yet. She said it is a very delicate
operation to do to a person with ms. Wants me to wait another 6 months, but if my sight gets worse we will talk about taking them out.

Has anyone had this problem? I know taking cataracts out on someone
without ms is no problem. Boy! this darn ms can just cause more and more
problems that I didn't know about.

Now something else to have me worry about. The sight is more important then any of the other problems ms has caused for me.


Joyce

[Erin524]

Now you have me worried. I'll probably end up with cataracts. Both my parents have had them, both my grandmothers had them. I'm betting I'm genetically doomed to getting cataracts.

Hopefully I wont end up with cataracts.

[SallyC]

Sheesh!! So sorry Joyce.

Why is taking Cataracs out worse for MSers? My Mom had cataracs removed, at 75, and her vision went, almost, back to 20/20.

Get a second opinion!!!

[Jappy]

Hi Sally: I am going to a Neuro-Ophthalmologist. She explained that the
optic nerve has been damaged to a certain point because of an attack of
optic neuritis.

She said that anymore disturbing the nerve and retina in people with
ms the chances of more damage is greater.

I am sure you know what she is refering to. Without the cataracts we
have all the problems with our sight. With them that is what is causing me to
have more problems. Just hope that they stop growing for now. I know that in time something will have to be done.

Joyce

[Snoopy]

Hi, Joyce.

I have cataracts but mine are congenital, I have had them all my life. When in my 20s I started asking for them to be removed my opthamologist would not do it.

Through the years I had different Opthamologist and they all refused to remove the cataracts. Every one of them said it was due to my age and if something went wrong like a detached retina I could lose my vision.

Fast forward to my 40s - the cataracts are no longer stable and have been on the move for a few years now. My opthamologist keeps adjusting my eyewear prescription but does not want to remove the cataracts....yet.

Erin - the majority of the senior population will have cataracts, it's an age thing. However, the use of steroids can cause cataracts and unfortunately many with MS use steroids.

[Jappy]

Originally Posted by Snoopy

Hi, Joyce.

I have cataracts but mine are congenital, I have had them all my life. When in my 20s I started asking for them to be removed my opthamologist would not do it.

Through the years I had different Opthamologist and they all refused to remove the cataracts. Every one of them said it was due to my age and if something went wrong like a detached retina I could lose my vision.

Fast forward to my 40s - the cataracts are no longer stable and have been on the move for a few years now. My opthamologist keeps adjusting my eyewear prescription but does not want to remove the cataracts....yet.

Erin - the majority of the senior population will have cataracts, it's an age thing. However, the use of steroids can cause cataracts and unfortunately many with MS use steroids.

LeAnn did any of your eye doctors tell you also that it is more dangerous to do to people with ms? That the chances of something happening is greater.


Joyce

[SallyC]

You deffinately do NOT want a detached retina, so, if that is the reason you Docs don't want to remove your cataracs, then don't do it. Wait until the Neuro/Optho thinks it's safe to do.

I don't know if it's the MS or the ON or both, but of course, ON does cause a weakness in the optic nerves, so it makes sense, since MS causes ON in many of us.

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by Joyce

LeAnn did any of your eye doctors tell you also that it is more dangerous to do to people with ms? That the chances of something happening is greater.
Joyce

The MS was never mentioned as the reason. Every single opthamologist stated it was because of my age, the cataracts were stable and if something happened then I could possibly lose my vision. He gave the example of a detached retina which I understand because my grandfather had that happen after his cataract was removed and the doctor would not do the other eye for fear of it happening again - that happened years ago.

The opthamologist I have now really doesn't want to remove them before he really has to. I have found through the years many opthamologist are not in a hurry to remove cataracts and the cataract needs to be "ready" - I believe at full growth.

Joyce, you always have the option of a second opinion.

After a few Drs had told me no I had one tell me no but if I kept looking I could probably find a Dr who would do it. It was that comment and the thought of the quality care I would get if any when I finally found a opthamologist who would remove the cataracts - I quit looking.

[HSPCraig]

Hi Joyce,

I have a similar but different eye problem. Eventhough I don't have MS I was shot in my right eye back in the '70s with considerable trauma resulting. I didn't have to get glasses until '79. Since then my eyesight has deteriorated.

I went to an Optho back about six months ago due to vision problems and pain in the right eye. He spent about three hours with me doing several different tests and determined I too had a severe cateract in my right eye and a mild one in my left. He couldn't account for the pain.

We discussed removing the cateract from my right eye but is seriously concerned that even with today's technology that removing it with the existing trauma I have in that I could possibly cause blindness. Either way I'm losing the sight in my right eye. He will only remove it as a last resort "if" the outcome outweighs the risk. Catch 22!

I know go to him only, in stead of an optician, for any eye problems and to watch the development of the cateracts.

So, you're NOT alone and I can relate to you situation personally. Best of luck to you and I hope they can treat you with little risk for your better health.

[Jappy]

Boy Craig! I guess you do understand the situation I am in. Sorry to hear
about your state of problems.

I am going to check further about this. In 6 months if not before
she is going to check the eyes and then make a decision on what is adviseable to do.

I had for about 10 to 12 yrs. of different symptoms hitting me. Then
disappearing. The drs. then kept saying it was all in my head and gave me
anti-dep. pills, said prolems at home. That is what they do when they can't figure out what is wrong. That was during the years when they did not know to much about ms. ( l968-1984 )

In 1984 I lost the muscle control in my eyes and legs. Lost my sight in my right eye and could not walk for awhile. Thank God my sight came back and I am walking but still with some difficulty at times. That''s when they gave me the CT scan, Spinal, Blood Work and all the other neuro tests.
Then told me that my problem all those years was the ms working on my body.
My sight has been the biggest problem and that scares me more
then anything.

Thanks for listening to me.

Joyce