Eye appointment

Uveitis and Cataracts

This is a complication of anterior uveitis, intermediate uveitis, posterior uveitis and panuveitis.

Cataracts are a common complication of uveitis. Cataracts are a clouding of the eye’s lens. In less developed countries, this can be one of the most common causes of vision loss. In industrialized nations, however, cataract surgery is a commonly performed procedure. There are few surgical complications and very few people go blind from the condition.

Eye doctors can remove the eye’s natural lens and replace it with a special plastic lens. However, if the cataracts are related to uveitis, eye doctors may not be able to perform surgery until the inflammation caused by uveitis is brought under control. In most cases, eye doctors want the eye to be free of inflammation for at least three months before performing cataract surgery. Sometimes, the artificial lens put in place by an eye doctor during cataract surgery can irritate the eye and cause anterior uveitis.

Long term use of corticosteroids used to treat uveitis can also increase the risk of developing cataracts. The type of cataract developed by long-term corticosteroid use causes the most visual disturbance. -prevent blindness America website

I have posted this regarding uveitis and cataracts because today we just found out that Jacob has since formed a cataract from his uveitis. We just came from Dr. Foster's office. I am frustrated and I guess in shock of the new diagnosis. I have known that cataracts are a complication of uveitis, but I had thought they would only form from prolonged use of steriod eye drops. I learned something new today. They can also be caused from the uveitis itself.

They cataract is in Jacob's left eye. The treatment plan for now is going to watch it. We are going to return in six weeks for a follow-up. His eyes still remain free of "cells".

The road that I thought were going to ride out easily, now has some bumps in it. The reality of the seriousness of this disease is once again brought to my attention.

Hard to soak in the fact that my 10 year old son has had arthritis so severe he needed surgery before his 10th birthday, and now has cataracts like his grandmother.