Cataracts-

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Hi,

I have a new worry... I have been having vision problems. Went to the eye doc

thinking I

need reading glasses, but learned I have cataracts in both eyes! One is already

a problem,

and the other is starting to be. I am 45.

I'm a molecular biologist, and know just enough medicine to worry myself silly.

Hearing

that I have cataracts at this age, when my father was in his late 60's when he

got his first, I

jumped immediately to a new level of anxiety over whether I carry a

trinucleotide repeat

expansion, which predisposes to cataracts- and myotonic muscular dystrophy in

subsequent generations. I have an 8 year old daughter, and it chills me to think

that if I do

have an expansion, there's a 50/50 chance I have passed the damaged gene on to

her. I

could find out by getting genetic tests for myself- but do we want to know? And

if I do, do

we want to know about her risks?

In searching for alternate explanations, I wonder if copper accumulation could

be

involved? , I read that 's disease can cause cataracts, but I can't

tell how rare

this is. I remember you said in PSC that copper is often increased, but cataract

is not a

common associated symptom. I guess I'll talk to my primary care doc and see

what kind

of cataracts they are, if they can tell.

Any advice- medical or familial, would be welcome.

Martha (MA)

45

UC 1979, PSC 1992, cataracts 2008, anxiety level high!