Anyone else in the same boat?

[Jezzafletcher]

Hi all - got my "Partial Sight Certificate" and info today. Great .... Not!!! I have never really understood eyesight test results and couple that with consultants poor handwriting I have never got a handle on the numbers - can anyone explain please?

[Jezzafletcher]

Well I said I might use here as a bit of a diary thing and sorry but here goes. Following the brick wall experience of above eg "white sticks united"... I took the advice of my better other half (O/H). I went straight back to work the next day, saw various staff and with each told them about my white nemesis. Why? Simply so that they and I will feel more comfortable with me asking for help rather than having to use "it that must not be named"! How has it gone? Wel I guess what I would say is that everyone has responded as best as they can - some have even had the guts, which I respect, to say "I don't know what to say". One really great colleague, who is areal down to earth type said "it still doesn't make crossing the road at the same time as you any less scary". Reeeeesssssuiuullllt!!! Generally it has gone ok. The only dodgy bit was when all the completed Partiallly Sighted Registration forms cam through the post. The fab o/h had a look. All the sections had been dutifully completed in free text excepts, as o/h pointed out "Assessment of Emotional Welfare" which had "not recorded". Under interrogation I had to admit that perhaps I was not in the best of emotional places at the time the form was completed and that I "may", I think justifiably, have responded to the "the stick folds neatly into 3 sections to fit into your bag" with something along the line of putting it into an alternative receptacle. I am grateful that they actually took it with good humour and that was the way I intended to deliver it.
Is it ok with all of you out there to post again soon? I know I am not Anna Frank but...
Jez

[aberlady]

Hi, Paul Osbourne, in a reply to a query mentioned his cataract on a grafted cornea was due to steroid eye drops. Could I have more information on the likelyhood of this happening. My son who had a corneal transplant at the beginning of the year is using steroid drops constantly. Can this lead to more problems in the future?

[GarethB]

As far as I am aware the liklihood of cataracts forming post graft as a result of steriod drops is rare. There are several on this forum that have been using steriod drops for a number of years because they are part of the rare group that have repeated rejection episodes and they have no cataracts to date.

The majority of people opnly need steroid drops post grat for up to 18 months but the frequency the drops are needed goes down as time progresses. Part of the regular checks post graft are also to check that there are no side affects so if seen, they can be treated promptly.

[Jezzafletcher]

I too am not aware of any connection between cataracts & steroid drops. When I developed cataracts it was only 3 months after my graft and I asked "why" and was told that cataracts can form as part of a post surgery/trauma response. Steroids were not mentioned as a cause.
Jez

[Anne Klepacz]

A consultant at one of our conferences mentioned that cataracts can develop a bit earlier than usual following any eye surgery. Its a bit like developing arthritis later in life when you've broken a bone in your youth. I now have early stage cataracts 25 years after my grafts - probably not much earlier than I could expect them anyway!
There is a connection between long term oral steroid use in the treatment of various physical conditions and cataracts. But I doubt the doses of steroid we're usually exposed to in the drops we have post graft are large enough to have that effect.
Anne

[Jezzafletcher]

Well I said that I may update through here occasionally so here goes... The white sticks have been consigned to various places with a determination that they will not see the light of day again. People at work have generally been supportive although it is one of those real Elephant in the room scenarios which kind of also means no one knows what to say so I am not sure what I have really achieved by telling people of my registration. It's a good job I am fiercely independent and working - I haven't head from Adult Social Care for them to assess me in relation to my independence skills!!! I did phone them after a month to see what was going on - this did result in a flurry of paper shuffling at their end including a large type letter, RNIB Booklet and a card confirming my registration on the Disability Register.
So... What have I gained through the process? In all honesty? Well the registration card is great as I show it to bus drivers and I now get around the County at no charge. How am I in myself? Quietly stoical and realising that in reality only I am truly motivated to dealing with the deteriorating situation of my vision...

[Andrew MacLean]

There is a well documented connection between chronic use of steroid drops and the development of sub capsular cataracts. A few people here have had this effect, but it is easily remedied.

The effect is not common.

Every good wish

Andrew
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11952401
http://minimizeprednisonedamage.com/wp- ... aracts.pdf

[space_cadet]

re disabled rail card - I use mine all the time on my own, went to london in april on my own with it, regularily go all over the place on my tod n leave hubby behind. so whoever told you that you have to take someone with you is talkiing pish! x

they also have the bonus that if the crip seat in standard is taken you can get a upgrade for free to first class (bring on the free cafeine - :p and food) x