HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Suggest Treatment For Cataract While Diagnosed With Arthritis In Right Eye

Posted on Mon, 13 Apr 2015

Question: I have arthritis in my right eye. I was given steroid drops to try to correct the problem but instead the drops have given me a cataract. I'm now told I can't get rid of the cataract until the arthritis is gone. It's been several years now and the arthritis is still there as is the cataract. Is there anything I can do to get rid of this damn cataract?

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The only treatment for cataract is cataract surgery.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care magic

I am Dr Dadapeer k an ophthalmologist and I answer health problems related to eye.
I reviewed your history.
It seems from the history that you are having steroid induced cataract. Steroids were given for uveitis. I think it is probably uveitis and not arthritis as arthritis is inflammation of the joints and uveitis is inflammation of the eye.

The only treatment for cataract is cataract surgery and you need to undergo cataract surgery. But since the uveitis is present you need to get uveitis under control before under going cataract surgery.

This can be done by starting steroid drugs and once the inflammation comes under control you need to undergo cataract surgery. Do discuss with your eye doctor regarding this and do get back to me with his suggestions so that I can advice you more accurately.

Hope I have answered your question and the information is helpful to you.
Do write back to me for further questions.

Thank you
With regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dadapeer K (5 minutes later)

Thank you Sir for you quick answer. My Eye Doctor has basically told me the same thing however it has been several years and she has been unable to get the inflamation under control. She won't operate unit the inflamation has been under control for 6 months without steroid drops. Is there a more agressive approach?

Thanks

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I usually advice oral steroid drugs before cataract surgery.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.

We usually come across this problem commonly in our practice. The accepted standard protocol is use of steroid drugs for 3-4 weeks before surgery and once the inflammation is controlled you can undergo cataract surgery.
Do discuss this approach with your doctor.

Hope I have answered your question and the information is helpful to you.
Do write back to me for further questions.

Thank you
With regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar