In my case, my cataracts (both eyes) were likely either caused or exacerbated by a steroid I took for over a year as part of treatment for multiple myeloma - dexamethasone. When I mentioned my failing vision to my oncologist, she said: "That's probably the dex - it's been known to do that."
And she didn't think I should know about that in advance? It was bad enough that the dex had me totally wired on the days I had to take it. Here I'm thinking I'm going blind to the point where driving was starting to be a problem... I did some research on the drug, and sure enough, cataracts are a known side effect. The ophthalmologist I went to, after reviewing my medications, confirmed that this was probably the cause, especially since they grew so quickly.
These days, I wear sunglasses whenever I'm outdoors during the day - even on cloudy days. Since the cataract surgery, my eyes have been very sensitive to light. I'm not sure that exposure to sunlight can cause cataracts - most of what I've read is that it's a function of age, and that we all eventually have the "seeds" of cataracts which may or may not grow. Cataracts are an organic process - something is growing on the lens of the eye. Not sure what causes it to grow, but the good news is that it can quckly and easily be corrected. |
