diabetes Eye Problem (cataracts)

[chiefhouse00]

Greetings

I just found out that I have cataracts developing at a rapid rate in both eyes. I'm been complaining out floaters, watering eyes, and poor vision well before I got out of service (well documented medical records). The doc said normally people with diabetes’s get cataracts but I don't have diabetes. I have a follow-up in six months or sooner if needed. Is Cataract Disease rated and what are some of the causes of this disease.?

Happy Thankgiving

Chiefhouse

[Guest Berta]

Vicki- and this might help Chiefhouse too-

the VA does service connect cataracts as secondary in some situations-

http://www.va.gov/vetapp03/files/0309132.txt

This vet received steroids for his service connected condition,developed catarcts, and VA medical opinions favored the granting of bi lateral cataracts due to the SC meds.

[vaf]

Thanks Berta. The VA described my husband's cataracts as nuclear sclerosis cataracts. The decision you referenced discussed posterior subcapular cataracts. I understand that some cataracts are readily identifiable as not being related to steroid use, but I don't know if nuclear sclerosis cataracts fall under that category. Is 54 considered relatively young for this condition for it to be age-related?

[chiefhouse00]

Greetings

I don't know the type of cataracts that are growing in my eyes...I was just semi-shocked that they were growing at a rapid rate. I have listed some of the medications that I have taken over the past 5 to 10 years. Wow! Could some of these drugs help to cause my cataracts.

Lisinopril (Prinivil)

Metoprolol (Lopressor)

Felodipine

Flovent (Fluticasone)

Albuterol

Cromolyn

Naproxen

Hydrocortisone

Bacitracin

Tacrolimus (Protopic EQ)

Allegra

Flonase

Peginterferon alfa-2b

Ribavirin

Steroid shots for my back pain

Best Regards

Chiefhouse

[vaf]

I did a little online research regarding cataracts. Without looking up each of your meds, the steroid shots for your back, as well as your use of hydrocortisone, could be credible evidence of the cause of your cataracts provided they are the kind called "posterior subcapsular" cataracts. This particular type is known to develop much more rapidly than the other kinds, and steroid use is a recognized cause. Your doctor should be able to tell you what kind of cataracts he found. If they are, indeed, posterior subcapsular cataracts, you may want to go ahead a file a claim for bilateral cataracts based on your steroid meds.

[chiefhouse00]

Greetings Vicki

I reviewed my medical records and found three important set of documents relating to my eye problems: my retirement medical assessment which stated that I had poor eye vision; medical records (poor vision, floaters, etc.,) from 1970 thru 2005; and first VA decision on my eye claim in 2000. The VA confirmed a history of blepharitis, trauma, and trace of nuclear sclerotic cataracts in both eyes but denied the claim because "cataracts" wasn't noted in my medical records. I was recently diagnosed with PSC Cataracts by the Opthalmogist at Dewitt Medical Center. Should I process a reopen claim for cataracts since my first claim was denied in 2000?

List of Medications:

Lisinopril (Prinivil)

Metoprolol (Lopressor)

Felodipine

Atenolol-PO

Rabeprazole-PO

Olopatadine-OPT 0.1%

Carboxymethycellulose Sodium 0.5%

Meloxicam-PO

Diazepam-PO

Fluticasone-NAS INHA

Flovent (Fluticasone)

Albuterol

Cromolyn-PO

Naproxen

Hydrocortisone Valerate-TOP 0.2%

Bacitracin-TOP

Tacrolimus (Protopic EQ)

Allegra

Flonase

Peginterferon alfa-2b

Ribavirin

Epidural Steroid Injections

Best Regards

Chiefhouse

B)

[Guest Jim S.]

chiefhouse00:

You would have to get an IMO with supporting evidence that shows that your poor eye sight and other problems with your eyesight were early signs of the cataract condition while in service or during the presumptive period after service,

Good Luck,

Jim S. B)