Cataracts

I just had cataract surgery in both eyes and the doc said that I had unusual cataracts: a type usually associated with certain drugs.  So I am curious to see if anyone else developed cataracts during/after treatment and if they also were possibly chemically induced.

On the good news side, I can see better than I could for the past 20 years.  I barely need reading glasses and I haven't hit the maximum improvement yet.  So, I can't complain, but I am curious to see if anyone else had a problem.

I know prednisone can cause cataracts, but I never heard that inf/riba could.

[Andiamo1]

The bad news now that I can see so well is that all my friends look so old!  I never knew that cataract surgery could make all your friends age.

[lalapple]

hi Eric!  
great news that you are able to see better!  vision is an amazing thing :)  my mom works in the medical field and so does my neighbor, they all agree that it is normal for most elderly people to have cataracts and that the removal procedure is simple and effective.  so i'm guessing as long as you have it removed successfully and are able to see so clearly, you shouldn't worry too much.  but just like you, i would always like to find the cause of things rather than treating the symptoms.  hope the wise ones here are able to offer you some more insightful responses :)

[FlGuy]

"The bad news now that I can see so well is that all my friends look so old!  I never knew that cataract surgery could make all your friends age. "

In that case, avoid mirrors.

[Marcia2202]

Sorry to hear that you had to have eye surgery, but happy for you that it went well and that you can see better!!!

I do remember reading that tx can cause eye problems, but I don't remember what kind.

[zazza]

I just had an eye exam today. I had none prior to tx. Did 72 weeks for those who do not know. I had one tiny speck in one eye, the doc could not say if it was new or old, if it was just pigmentation or the beginning of a cataract. Irritating that my hep clinic skipped the baseline eye exam which is supposed to be done before tx. Probably just wanted to save the money.

[Peach803]

Hey girl...I'm well, and am happy to hear that you seem to be "well-er" as the meds leave you.  As you know I won't start tx until 2010.  I'm hoping that the new drug combo w/two used now, won't make it so rough.  They (whoever "they" are) say that the new "recipe" will make it easier on patients, and tx are for shorter time.  The thing is...I don't, and never have felt "bad", never had any symptoms, until my PCP did that blood test where she "discovered" this dreadful "covert" disease!!  AND...I'm having such fun writing my book, I don't want that to be "taken" from me...you know, sitting at this 'machine' ...lost in "the story", know what I mean?  I pray you continue on your "well" road. My thoughts often turn to you.  HUGS

[Peach803]

P.S.  I've got about 230 pages written on my "first" book.  I have the title and concept started on Book II, and just this week, had that "inspiration" lightbulb go off in my head, as the title for Book III.  I'm telling you JK Rowling...better move over!  LOL

[Isobella]

Glad to hear your eye surgery went well.  Sorry about all your friends getting older, tho.  I will for sure keep my big sunglasses on at the next lunch-hide all my wrinkles.

If you keep getting better, we are gonna have to do a movie about you....Benjamin Button comes to mind....isn't that the one where Brad Pitt starts out older and gets younger and younger????

I am due for my eye exam this month....it will be interesting to see if there has been any change since the baseline exam before tx.  

Wishing you well,

Izzy

[Andiamo1]

I am starting to feel like the bionic man: plastic eyes and good health through chemicals!  

lalapple: Me elderly?  I'm stunned - LOL.

My question is why do the adverts on this page mention diarrhea, fatigue and fibromyalgia.

[Bobby1952]

"The bad news now that I can see so well is that all my friends look so old!  I never knew that cataract surgery could make all your friends age. "

   Yeah but it makes the young women look even sexier.

[meakea]

Two women that I know who have been through chemo/radiation for breast cancer both got cataracts (and surgery) after their treatments and they both said it was related to their treatment.  So, it is very possible that interferon/riba could have that effect too.

[Isobella]

Yeah....I was going to make a comment on the elderly people mentioned above, but didn't want to add insult to injury.  Since you brought it back up, I feel free to say.......OMGosh, LOL!  You??? Elderly????

Nah, I don't think so =)

[sunshine585]

I have a new cataract forming in one eye, that my optho feels is related to tx. Small and not problematic. I have heard of a few others who have developed cataracts while on tx.

[Andiamo1]

Now if I could find a young women with cataracts, I might have a chance - LOL.

[lalapple]

dude yes, i was having doubts about saying that!  of course you're not "elderly"!!!  you're ageless Eric!  sorry if it offended anyone, not meant to be interpreted in that way.

i was informed before i started treating that eye problems esp retinal hemorrhage is likely to happen from the Interferon, not wasn't aware of how it could relate to Interferon until i did some research, here is an article suggesting possible correlation between INF and cataracts, also diabetes:

http://pubwww.carnet.hr/ccacaa/CCA-PDF/cca2000/v73-n4/cca_73_2000_1099-1110_Pavan.pdf

[Andiamo1]

No need to apologize; I am happy with my age.  I was just kidding you.  Besides, now that I am SVR, I am much younger than I used to be.

Thanks for posting the link.  I was aware that type 1 diabetes is caused by our immune systems, but never saw a correlation to interferon.  So I wonder if there is causality as well as correlation!

Eric

[Isobella]

You're so cute.....I got a nice chuckle from that.

[nygirl7]

Andiamo I just saw this post now and wanted to say congrats (I guess that is the appropriate thing to say?) that they fixed your problem........I don't think I've developed any cataracts though it might be one of the problems somehow that I missed!

Now you can see your beautiful wife when you sail the great blue seas!  :)

[jdwithhcv]

Glad to hear your surgery was successful.  Bon voyage!

jd

[Andiamo1]

glad to hear from you both.

nygirl:  We are heading to NY in late May.  I hope we get to see you.

Eric

[frijole]

At my last eye exam my doctor told me I had the beginnings of a cataract.  He actually said he could see some "hardening" forming at the back of the retina - he would not use the term cataract, but he did nod that that was what he was referring to.  He said he probably won't be able to keep my left eye at 20/20 much longer.  There were no signs prior to my treating but who knows, if may be an age thing too.
My best to you and the eye surgery sounds like it turned out great
frijole

[ladybug52]

My dr is always telling me that he thinks I'm going to develop diabetes. I think it's because he knows of my tx.
Reading all these posts makes me resigned to the fact that I'll probably need cataract surgery soon. Might as well be pessimistic, I can only be surprised happily if I'm wrong.
Bug