Cataracts: Not Part of My Game Plan

Going in for my second follow-up appointment months after strabismus surgery (eye muscle surgery), I hoped I could get a prescription for new glasses. I had trouble seeing distance and hadn't had new glasses in a few years.

Surprised by cataracts

However, when my surgeon told me I needed cataract surgery, I couldn't believe it. In fact, she had to repeat herself. I was so stunned when she first said it! She hypothesized the steroids I had been given for my thyroid eye disease (TED) had made my "baby" cataracts grow with super speed.

Steroids to keep TED in check

When I was first diagnosed with TED, I was already experiencing vision loss. Immediately, I was given 3 days of high-dose IV steroids. It helped a little—enough that I could postpone orbital decompression until after my daughter's wedding. After that, I was prescribed IV steroids for over a year. Oral steroids followed. The steroids helped keep my TED in check. They kept the swelling behind my eyes somewhat manageable, at least for a while.

Side effects of steroids

I'm sure my neuro-ophthalmologist must have told me the side effects of the IV steroids. Or at least the side effects were listed in the fine print of the medication when the mail-order pharmacy sent it. I know I got the round face, the weight gain, and probably the bone loss. I just don't remember hearing or reading about cataracts.

My neuro-ophthalmologist doesn't think that my cataracts are steroid-related; after all, most people get them eventually. I also had radiation to my optic nerves for double vision from thyroid eye disease. The radiologist explained to me that the radiation would likely accelerate cataract growth. I never thought to ask her how the interaction between radiation and steroids would affect cataract growth. Honestly, when I was going for radiation, the only thing I cared about was correcting my double vision.

So, how could I have been shocked that I had cataracts? I had high doses of steroids and radiation.

Reading the fine print

I ask myself, would I not take specific treatments if I knew all the risks? I currently have a care team that I trust. When my doctors tell me a treatment is the best option, sometimes the only option, would I stop to read all the fine print?

Reading all the fine print can make me crazy. The disclaimers on the cataract surgery went from swelling to eye loss. Watching the ads for medications on TV tells you they can solve your problem, give you the problem, or kill you!

Trusting my doctors

There is a level of trust I must have in my doctors. I am not a doctor. No matter how hard I research TED, I will not know as much as my team of doctors about each of their specialties. So, at the end of the day, I will have to trust their knowledge–but not without a second opinion sometimes, though!

My TED journey has been challenging. I feel like I have been through it all. Cataracts just weren't on my game plan!