› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Cataracts from prednisone eye drops
- This topic has 18 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 8 months ago by
Kim K.
- Post
-
- July 6, 2016 at 5:34 pm
Hi guys,
Just a quick question on behalf of my sister Leisa – we found out in May that the ipi had gone after her retinas – so, she was put on two kinds of eye drops – prednisone and voltarin. The voltarin will be for life now but she's been tapering from the prednisone. Last week her sight got really blurry again and yesterday's opthamology check revealed the prednisone has caused cataracts – only 6 weeks of these drops and cataracts – we could hardly believe it.
Anyone else experienced this? And, if so, how long did eye docs wait before treating? Usually, from what I understand, they make you go years sometimes before removing them … doesn't seem fair with everything else she's having to endure!! I've already done a search on Celeste's blog too but no results returned there.
Thanks for any responses.
Best,
Barb
- Replies
-
-
- July 6, 2016 at 6:42 pm
Why would they wait years to treat? Yes, many people get cataracts that are small and take years to develop and only when it causes significant glare or decreased vision are they removed. But if your sister is already at that point, then I doubt that will be how hers are handled. I have cataracts that were most likely induced from retinal surgeries years ago. I'm not sure on the medications – if they would want her to be at a certain level before performing surgery but they make you take a steroid after the surgeries anyway. They have specific tests for glare and acuity and as long as she passes those tests – meaning she has diminished vision from the cataracts, there would be no reason I could see to wait. Not sure if being on ipi would influence that, though. The ipi might be responsible for the cataracts too – and not the prednisone? Just thinking out loud.
-
- July 6, 2016 at 6:42 pm
Why would they wait years to treat? Yes, many people get cataracts that are small and take years to develop and only when it causes significant glare or decreased vision are they removed. But if your sister is already at that point, then I doubt that will be how hers are handled. I have cataracts that were most likely induced from retinal surgeries years ago. I'm not sure on the medications – if they would want her to be at a certain level before performing surgery but they make you take a steroid after the surgeries anyway. They have specific tests for glare and acuity and as long as she passes those tests – meaning she has diminished vision from the cataracts, there would be no reason I could see to wait. Not sure if being on ipi would influence that, though. The ipi might be responsible for the cataracts too – and not the prednisone? Just thinking out loud.
-
- July 6, 2016 at 6:42 pm
Why would they wait years to treat? Yes, many people get cataracts that are small and take years to develop and only when it causes significant glare or decreased vision are they removed. But if your sister is already at that point, then I doubt that will be how hers are handled. I have cataracts that were most likely induced from retinal surgeries years ago. I'm not sure on the medications – if they would want her to be at a certain level before performing surgery but they make you take a steroid after the surgeries anyway. They have specific tests for glare and acuity and as long as she passes those tests – meaning she has diminished vision from the cataracts, there would be no reason I could see to wait. Not sure if being on ipi would influence that, though. The ipi might be responsible for the cataracts too – and not the prednisone? Just thinking out loud.
-
- July 6, 2016 at 7:50 pm
Thanks Janner!! When asked what could be done about the cataracts, the doc didn't respond – just said, let's see how you are in 6 weeks and scheduled a follow-up app't. I thought that sounded a bit ridiculous because obviously they're not going to disappear on their own.
This opthamologist is connected to the cancer centre where my sis is being treated though and, maybe, knows something more than we do about how mel patients on immunotherapy are handled with these developments. If it's a case of being taken off immunotherapy then we don't want to say too much, so she didn't "push it" with the eye doc yesterday. Her onc already told her that if the retinas hadn't responded to the prednisone she would've been removed from the program. Thank goodnss they did!!
I asked here about "how long" because anyone I've ever known with cataracts had to wait 'til they "ripened" (yuck – why do that have to equate these things with foodie terms??). Her vision is most definitely affected though – she couldn't see veggies yesterday that she was trying to prepare, even though she was sitting down and had them in a bowl on her lap.
Maybe her onc will have more to say. First app't. since undergoing WBR is coming up on Friday. We're holding our breath waiting to hear if she will be allowed to continue immunotherapy.
-
- July 6, 2016 at 7:50 pm
Thanks Janner!! When asked what could be done about the cataracts, the doc didn't respond – just said, let's see how you are in 6 weeks and scheduled a follow-up app't. I thought that sounded a bit ridiculous because obviously they're not going to disappear on their own.
This opthamologist is connected to the cancer centre where my sis is being treated though and, maybe, knows something more than we do about how mel patients on immunotherapy are handled with these developments. If it's a case of being taken off immunotherapy then we don't want to say too much, so she didn't "push it" with the eye doc yesterday. Her onc already told her that if the retinas hadn't responded to the prednisone she would've been removed from the program. Thank goodnss they did!!
I asked here about "how long" because anyone I've ever known with cataracts had to wait 'til they "ripened" (yuck – why do that have to equate these things with foodie terms??). Her vision is most definitely affected though – she couldn't see veggies yesterday that she was trying to prepare, even though she was sitting down and had them in a bowl on her lap.
Maybe her onc will have more to say. First app't. since undergoing WBR is coming up on Friday. We're holding our breath waiting to hear if she will be allowed to continue immunotherapy.
-
- July 6, 2016 at 7:50 pm
Thanks Janner!! When asked what could be done about the cataracts, the doc didn't respond – just said, let's see how you are in 6 weeks and scheduled a follow-up app't. I thought that sounded a bit ridiculous because obviously they're not going to disappear on their own.
This opthamologist is connected to the cancer centre where my sis is being treated though and, maybe, knows something more than we do about how mel patients on immunotherapy are handled with these developments. If it's a case of being taken off immunotherapy then we don't want to say too much, so she didn't "push it" with the eye doc yesterday. Her onc already told her that if the retinas hadn't responded to the prednisone she would've been removed from the program. Thank goodnss they did!!
I asked here about "how long" because anyone I've ever known with cataracts had to wait 'til they "ripened" (yuck – why do that have to equate these things with foodie terms??). Her vision is most definitely affected though – she couldn't see veggies yesterday that she was trying to prepare, even though she was sitting down and had them in a bowl on her lap.
Maybe her onc will have more to say. First app't. since undergoing WBR is coming up on Friday. We're holding our breath waiting to hear if she will be allowed to continue immunotherapy.
-
- July 6, 2016 at 8:44 pm
It's possible there could be some inflammation even with the predisone and they want to see if things stabilize. And honestly, as bad as it sounds, it probably isn't the most pressing condition. Brain mets and getting them controlled would rate much higher than cataracts. Cataracts, while frustrating, can be fixed and aren't life threatening.
I had one early cataract surgery done but I had extenuating circumstances that contributed to that. My other eye has a cataract that was identified when I was 36. Still there, slowly growing or "ripening".
-
- July 6, 2016 at 8:44 pm
It's possible there could be some inflammation even with the predisone and they want to see if things stabilize. And honestly, as bad as it sounds, it probably isn't the most pressing condition. Brain mets and getting them controlled would rate much higher than cataracts. Cataracts, while frustrating, can be fixed and aren't life threatening.
I had one early cataract surgery done but I had extenuating circumstances that contributed to that. My other eye has a cataract that was identified when I was 36. Still there, slowly growing or "ripening".
-
- July 6, 2016 at 8:44 pm
It's possible there could be some inflammation even with the predisone and they want to see if things stabilize. And honestly, as bad as it sounds, it probably isn't the most pressing condition. Brain mets and getting them controlled would rate much higher than cataracts. Cataracts, while frustrating, can be fixed and aren't life threatening.
I had one early cataract surgery done but I had extenuating circumstances that contributed to that. My other eye has a cataract that was identified when I was 36. Still there, slowly growing or "ripening".
-
- July 6, 2016 at 10:20 pm
Yep, for sure the brain mets are the biggest worry right now … but as that's been treated and next scans aren't 'til august, we just have to hope that the radiation works, even better, hopefully some abscopal effect too … and try to "march on".
But it's tough for her to keep a good frame of mind – in the last 2 mos. she developed retinitis and extreme tinnitus, found out about the brain mets, lost her driver's licence, had the WBR, lost all of her hair, tinnitus gone with steroids, eyes improved to almost normal – then wham!! Hit from a side effect of a drug used to treat a side effect. it's been such a roller coaster ride for her – and she's a great responder (for which we are hugely grateful!!!) … so this is another blow, emotionally. So far, it's like 2 or 3 steps forward, then 3 or 4 back in a totally different direction.
She would give up her eyesight if it meant beating this demon – we had already discussed that even before the eye trouble started. But if it's fixable, sooner would be better!!!
-
- July 6, 2016 at 10:20 pm
Yep, for sure the brain mets are the biggest worry right now … but as that's been treated and next scans aren't 'til august, we just have to hope that the radiation works, even better, hopefully some abscopal effect too … and try to "march on".
But it's tough for her to keep a good frame of mind – in the last 2 mos. she developed retinitis and extreme tinnitus, found out about the brain mets, lost her driver's licence, had the WBR, lost all of her hair, tinnitus gone with steroids, eyes improved to almost normal – then wham!! Hit from a side effect of a drug used to treat a side effect. it's been such a roller coaster ride for her – and she's a great responder (for which we are hugely grateful!!!) … so this is another blow, emotionally. So far, it's like 2 or 3 steps forward, then 3 or 4 back in a totally different direction.
She would give up her eyesight if it meant beating this demon – we had already discussed that even before the eye trouble started. But if it's fixable, sooner would be better!!!
-
- July 6, 2016 at 10:20 pm
Yep, for sure the brain mets are the biggest worry right now … but as that's been treated and next scans aren't 'til august, we just have to hope that the radiation works, even better, hopefully some abscopal effect too … and try to "march on".
But it's tough for her to keep a good frame of mind – in the last 2 mos. she developed retinitis and extreme tinnitus, found out about the brain mets, lost her driver's licence, had the WBR, lost all of her hair, tinnitus gone with steroids, eyes improved to almost normal – then wham!! Hit from a side effect of a drug used to treat a side effect. it's been such a roller coaster ride for her – and she's a great responder (for which we are hugely grateful!!!) … so this is another blow, emotionally. So far, it's like 2 or 3 steps forward, then 3 or 4 back in a totally different direction.
She would give up her eyesight if it meant beating this demon – we had already discussed that even before the eye trouble started. But if it's fixable, sooner would be better!!!
-
- July 8, 2016 at 12:48 am
In the "olden days" of cataract removal, opthomologists often waited until the cataract was advanced enough to remove it. With new microsurgical techniques and therapies used to break up the cataract, it is actually better to remove them before they become very hard and scarred which makes it more difficult to remove. A difficult removal lends towards more post-op complications.
I am only now thinking of removing my cataract from retinal surgery, 8 years after the fact. For me, I waited because it wasn't causing any vision problems until now, and I needed to save up for the IOL which insurance still doesn't cover…..
I wouldn't wait on removal based on the state of the cataract, but rather on how it may affect melanoma treatment or increase post-op healing or risk of complications.
-
- July 8, 2016 at 12:48 am
In the "olden days" of cataract removal, opthomologists often waited until the cataract was advanced enough to remove it. With new microsurgical techniques and therapies used to break up the cataract, it is actually better to remove them before they become very hard and scarred which makes it more difficult to remove. A difficult removal lends towards more post-op complications.
I am only now thinking of removing my cataract from retinal surgery, 8 years after the fact. For me, I waited because it wasn't causing any vision problems until now, and I needed to save up for the IOL which insurance still doesn't cover…..
I wouldn't wait on removal based on the state of the cataract, but rather on how it may affect melanoma treatment or increase post-op healing or risk of complications.
-
- July 8, 2016 at 12:48 am
In the "olden days" of cataract removal, opthomologists often waited until the cataract was advanced enough to remove it. With new microsurgical techniques and therapies used to break up the cataract, it is actually better to remove them before they become very hard and scarred which makes it more difficult to remove. A difficult removal lends towards more post-op complications.
I am only now thinking of removing my cataract from retinal surgery, 8 years after the fact. For me, I waited because it wasn't causing any vision problems until now, and I needed to save up for the IOL which insurance still doesn't cover…..
I wouldn't wait on removal based on the state of the cataract, but rather on how it may affect melanoma treatment or increase post-op healing or risk of complications.
-
- July 8, 2016 at 12:48 am
In the "olden days" of cataract removal, opthomologists often waited until the cataract was advanced enough to remove it. With new microsurgical techniques and therapies used to break up the cataract, it is actually better to remove them before they become very hard and scarred which makes it more difficult to remove. A difficult removal lends towards more post-op complications.
I am only now thinking of removing my cataract from retinal surgery, 8 years after the fact. For me, I waited because it wasn't causing any vision problems until now, and I needed to save up for the IOL which insurance still doesn't cover…..
I wouldn't wait on removal based on the state of the cataract, but rather on how it may affect melanoma treatment or increase post-op healing or risk of complications.
-
- July 8, 2016 at 12:48 am
In the "olden days" of cataract removal, opthomologists often waited until the cataract was advanced enough to remove it. With new microsurgical techniques and therapies used to break up the cataract, it is actually better to remove them before they become very hard and scarred which makes it more difficult to remove. A difficult removal lends towards more post-op complications.
I am only now thinking of removing my cataract from retinal surgery, 8 years after the fact. For me, I waited because it wasn't causing any vision problems until now, and I needed to save up for the IOL which insurance still doesn't cover…..
I wouldn't wait on removal based on the state of the cataract, but rather on how it may affect melanoma treatment or increase post-op healing or risk of complications.
-
- July 8, 2016 at 12:48 am
In the "olden days" of cataract removal, opthomologists often waited until the cataract was advanced enough to remove it. With new microsurgical techniques and therapies used to break up the cataract, it is actually better to remove them before they become very hard and scarred which makes it more difficult to remove. A difficult removal lends towards more post-op complications.
I am only now thinking of removing my cataract from retinal surgery, 8 years after the fact. For me, I waited because it wasn't causing any vision problems until now, and I needed to save up for the IOL which insurance still doesn't cover…..
I wouldn't wait on removal based on the state of the cataract, but rather on how it may affect melanoma treatment or increase post-op healing or risk of complications.
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.