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Eye Op

Hi everyone
had the cateract on eye done last week and happy to say that so far so good and I can see again, first time in over 20 years without specs. Very clever, as I had a new lens transplanted in my eye that corresponds to my specs prescription, so now I must have a bonic eye ! Thoughts were that it was due to aggressive chemotherapy in the past, but cannot be conformed. Has anyone else any experience of this at all ? Back to Hammersmith on 7th March, so will be able to SEE you there ! Keep smiling,
Keith

Hi Keith
Well done on the op. Steve had both eyes done about 3 years ago and it changed his life, nothing to do with chemo, just bad eyesight. Mind you now he needs some specs to read and that is due to age !! Goodluck for your HH appt. I'm there on 15th.
Much love to you and Carol
Elizabeth x

Hi Keith
So pleased your cataract op was a great success!
I was a Researcher on the Melton Eye Study ( a population-based study of 55-74 year olds in the UK).
There are different types of cataracts and the risk factors are many and varied. The main ones are exposure to sunlight (UV-B), diet (waist to hip ratio is significant), smoking and long term use of corticosteroids. I'm not aware of a particular risk factor in the use of chemo and indeed some drugs, eg aspirin, seem to have a preventative effect. Since the study, I never now go out in the sunshine without either sunglasses or a brimmed hat and make sure I have plenty of Vit C in my diet.
Did you ever live in a hot climate Keith?

Carry on having fun

Bee

Hi Keith
I had replacement lenses in both eyes about 3 or 4 yrs after an autologous stem cell transplant and around 3 yrs also of interferon.
I was only 48 yrs old - far too young to develop the cataracts at that time. The reason was put down to the chemo/interferon.
Apparently the chemo/interferon fluids get into the body water that flows over the eyes then causes the cataracts.
I suppose that if it was the chemo that caused yours, then you can expect the other eye to go?
Nothing like cheering a guy up eh? lol.

Hi Keith,
The operation will really change your outlook.(pun)
I had both eyes done about 15 months ago and now only need specs. to read with.
That reminds me, I have to go for my annual check up ASAP.
Some times a cloudy layer builds up under the lens over time, which is than easily removed with laser treatment.
Good luck and God bless
Basil

Basil,
I think Keith is referring to an actual operation, not laser treatment, where the old lens is cut away and a new, artificial lens is stitched in. At least that is what I had done. The cloudiness that you refer to, is nothing to do with CML.
The lens replacement is needed because of damage to the lens from the Chemotherapy.

I'm sure Keith will put us right.:)

I had BMT in 97 at Hammersmith and subsequently had vision problems. When investigated was found to be cataracts. BM Consultant's comment was - quite often happens following Radiotherapy! Had similar problem with Thyroid failure. After many different checks to resolve from symptoms - BM Consultant's comment was - quite often happens following Radiotherapy!

Seems to be a common theme whether from Chemo or Radiotherapy.

Both eyes done and as with you, prescription lenses inserted and good vision again.

A small price to pay!
Phil

Hi All
It seems that chemo was not one of the main risk factors for cataracts in the general population of the UK, but obviously there is risk from certain medications, as your Consultants have rightly noticed through experience.
Strangely, in the UK, most cataracts occur in the right eye first, and in in most other countries, it's the left. (They think it might be because we drive sitting on the right with the sun shining in through open car windows - but nobody is really sure!).....
The laser treatment referred to may be to clear the cloudiness (opacification) that sometimes occurs after cataract surgery and is easily dealt with.

All the best
Bee

Hi all
Had 2 week post operative check on eye, all was fine and healed very well. New lens has settled in well. Fantastic to see again after all these years as they did it a prescription lens into the affected eye, so I am no longer short sighted in that eye. First time in 25 years. No specs as both eyes now a bit long sighted (great) reading specs needed, but I can live with that. As to the questions of uv exposure, I did work in southern France for a while, but as I was working as a mechanic on offshore power boats, I did spend a good deal of time out in the open in mostly fine weather, at sea so to speak. Hats and sun specs were not practical most of the time. We can put it down to autolugous transplant in 1997 ? Thank you all for helpful comments
Keep smiling
Keith

Hello Dennis,

I am sorry if I was misunderstood. I was refering to the actual operation which involves replacing the lenses with artificial ones.
I did not state that the cloudiness was as a result of CML at all, but merely refered to it as a possible problem which can occur sometime afer the op., but is easily removed with laser treatment.
In fact I have not heard any hard evidence that Chemotherapy is a cause Cataracts
The incidence of Cataracts is relatively high in South Africa and I am sure that the light intensity from our wonderful sunny skies has something to do with it, along with dust,air pollution, and old age.
I think genetics also plays a part, but this is only a supposition.
Kind regards to all
Basil

MY HUSBAND GARY, HAD A CATARACT OPERATION MANY YEARS AGO BEFORE WE MET FOR A CONDITION KNOWN AS FUCHS SYNDROME. ONE EYE IS MUCH BLUER THAN THE OTHER AND THIS ONE HAD MISTED OVER. ONE DOCTOR TOLD HIM IT SHOULD COMPLETELY MIST OVER BEFORE OPERATING AND ANOTHER ONE SAID THE SOONER IT WAS OPERATED ON, THE BETTER HIS EYESIGHT WOULD BE AFTER THE OP. HE WAS DX. IN AUGUST 2004 WITH CML AND I WONDERED IF THERE WAS ANY CONNECTION AS OTHER CML'ERS SEEM TO HAVE HAD EYE OPERATIONS TOO. HE'S ON 600mg GLIVEC PER DAY AS HIS PCR IS STILL HIGHER THAN THE DR.S WANT IT TO BE. RACHEL

Hello everyone, my name is Julie. I had my transplant for CML on 11th March 1987, so it will be 20 years on Sunday.
I have just seen a consultant (again) about having my cataracts removed, and I just keep putting it off. I am so nervous about having the op, and was absolutley stunned when I just found this website.

I have been told by my consultant and I have read it in so many different sites that the cause of my cataracts is definitely the radiotherapy.

Can you tell me Keith did you have dry eyes before and if you did, does that make any difference for the op. I have to say the consultant I spoke to two weeks ago, wasn't that chatty and I didn't get to ask all that I wanted. The reason I found this site today is because I was trying to find statistics and any information I could about cataracts in transplant patients.

Julie.
Ps Is there anybody out there suffering with memory and concentration problems?

Hi Keith, as it's now a month since your op, just thought that I'd 'see' how you're getting on.
Julie

My sister had just had her eye removed due to constant problems since her dx on 3rd may 2013
She had the BMT on 10th Jan 2014!!
She has just been told that the biopsy of the removed eye showed that CML was present in the
Eye and is going back next week to discuss the next treatment poss Radio.
Has anyone had a similar experience??

When I had total body irradiation as preparation for bone marrow transplant 19 years ago, I was told that cataracts would be a certain inevitable consequence.

I had both eyes done this past year. I went for the distance ones so still need to wear specs for close work.