Rapid-progressing cataracts at 43, single mum of autistic teen

[ScotsMagpie]

Hi All

Sorry to be a drama queen, but I have just been diagnosed with cataracts which I am told will rapidly progress because of the type. I'm only 43, and the carer for my teenage son with autism. My optician was very matter of fact about it, she found them in a routine exam which I went to because I was having problems with near vision and headaches, and she simply said you have cataracts in both eyes, they will get worse rapidly, you will need surgery in somewhere around 6 months to 3 years to prevent blindness, but its an easy surgery so you will be fine. In the meantime take these glasses, you will find that you need the prescription to change frequently.

Didn't mean to submit that yet! Anyway, I know cataract surgery is simple, and has a high success rate, and I know loads of people have it without problems, but they don't have my circumstances. Having been told that my sight could go within a few months is pretty scary, and the waiting time here for surgery is 18 weeks. They won't contemplate it until there is significant impairment to daytime vision, which for me there isn't yet, so I am worried that as they will obviously be much worse before they even refer me, by the time I actually get treatment I could be virtually blind. I don't know how I will manage looking after my son if that happens.

I'm really worried about how this is going to progress, and while everyone is really sympathetic about the shock of this diagnosis, the general attitude is that it is an easy fix, you will be fine. I'm worried about the period before I get the fix.

Anyone else out there had rapid-progressing cataracts? My diagnosis is posterior subcapsular cataracts. 4 months ago my eyes were fine, now I have an early one in the right eye, and a moderate one in the left.

Thanks
Magpie

Hi Scotsmagpie

    I have just noticed your post re: posterior subcapsular cataract.  There has been some little known research into this condition ,   and it appears that  Vitamin D deficiency may have an impact on it.  

I imagine you might want to know about that ,  so  here are some items which may be of interest to you. 

1. An article in Clinical Opthalmology

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4476482/

2. A discussion with the author of the above research at the Vitamin d council .
   
   www.vitamindcouncil.org/?powerpress_pinw=23868-podcast

3. Other studies.
   Studies have found that higher level of vitamin D resulted in lower risk of cataracts. A tiny study also found that 5,000 IU daily dissolved early cataracts. Details at vitamindwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page_id=7160

   I hope this may prove of interest. I have posted quite a bit here on Mumsnet about Vitamin D deficiency. If you need more info about Vitamin D , please have a look at some of those threads , ( search my nick ) or get back to me if you need further info.

           So sorry to hear about your health problem, 
   
            Best of luck 
   

BTBH