Cataracts and corticosteriods--anyone know about this?

Mikemetz
Mikemetz Member Posts: 465 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Blurred vision is a temporary side effect from hyperbaric oxygen treatments, so when my eyesight didn't get back to normal after a few months I went to see an eye specialist. He says this is not from the hyperbarics, but could likely be from the corticosteroids I was given during rads to control swelling in my neck. "This" is early signs of cataracts in both eyes--which shocked me to hear. I did some research when I got home, and sure enough, cataracts is a rare side effect from corticosteroid usage and can start b/t 1 and 2 years later--bingo for my timing! There is some possibility that this a just part of the aging process, but I'm not yet 60 and have no family history of cataracts.

This eye doctor is really good and knew a lot about HNC treatments and vision problems. Has anyone else heard about this or had it happen to them?

Mike

Comments

  • denistd
    denistd Member Posts: 597
    #2
    cataracts
    Hi Mike. Don't know about the steroids but I finished treatment for larynx cancer in June of 2009. 4 weeks ago I had a cataract removed from my right eye, can see as good now as 20 years ago through that eye. Denis
  • Mikemetz
    Mikemetz Member Posts: 465 Member
    #3
    denistd said:

    cataracts
    Hi Mike. Don't know about the steroids but I finished treatment for larynx cancer in June of 2009. 4 weeks ago I had a cataract removed from my right eye, can see as good now as 20 years ago through that eye. Denis

    Who knows?
    Denis,
    I finished treatments in April of 2009 and my blurred vision started about 8 months ago, so our timing is similar. In the end, the cause of my cataracts won't be known, but if it might be related to the steroids, others should ask their docs about that if and when steroids are prescribed for them.

    mike

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