[DanaM327]

Hi All,

My dad has MG and as a result of the prednisone use, he has developed cataracts in both eyes. They were caught very early and he has a wonderful ophthalmologist. He's nervous though about getting the surgery because they have to use a topical anesthesia on the eye to do the surgery. The surgery is said to take one hour for each eye, and they are done one to two weeks apart.

Has anyone had cataract surgery? Has it effected your MG symptoms? Any advice?

Thank you!

[Juanitad]

I had both my eyes done in late 2004 - about 2 weeks apart and have had no problems at aoll. The surgery was actually very quick - it's just all the prep that takes time!
Best wishes to your Dad!

[neutro]

Hi Dana,
I also had surgery for cataract on both eyes, one before MG and the other after.
The surgery itself is very quick, like 15 minutes and I didn't have any problem but make sure that the anestesist (and the eye surgeon) know that your father has MG, they will use the appropriate products. They may also contact his neuro to be sure...
Maurice.

[Annie59]

Dana, I had cataract surgery January 2010. My other eye needs it now tho they wont do it yet because of inflamation in my face in part.

I was sure to do my mine in the winter as that is when I am my strongest due to the cold weather. The thing for me which was the biggest help was contacting the anesthesiologist directly and being sure she understood that I had MG and talk thru her plan getting a sense that she understood and was a good doc. She did a tremendous job!

I should add that I had records from my pulmonologist sent to this anesthesiologist. HE is the only person who gets the severity of my breathing. Not my family doc, not my neuro, none of the neuros I have ever seen would I have trusted to say and give the breathing data needed to get safely thru a surgery. The one neuro I respect the most that said neuros dont get pulmonology tests would have made sure a pulmo saw me not do a recomendation.

Doing the eyes a month apart sounds like too much to me. I know that this can be considered standard tho. I had a big flare only 6 weeks after the surgery. It IS surgery. I would not let a doc do 2 surgeries without thinking that that is alot for the body to handle and he could have a flare or heaven forbid a crisis if too much is done too fast. I was given steroids for the surgery so I know that may be part of why the flare occurred as I have gotten worse twice before when I had tried steroids. The flare hit 2 weeks after the end of the steroids.

Certainly age is a factor and how much his breathing is affected by MG. I am 60 now and can not sing nor have I been able to for a long time tho was better when the surgery was done.

Annie59

[DanaM327]

Thank you everyone for the feedback and valuable information. His eye Dr. is well aware of his MG and has been in touch with his neuro and primary care doc to discuss the procedure. He has said that there will be no anesthesia other than the topical, and we are meeting with him tomorrow for some more pre-surgery work and information. We are proceeding with extreme caution.

Thank you for the support and sharing your own experiences. I see how what my dad goes through everyday and think you're all amazing for handling MG and finding support in one another!