Effect of corticosteroids on cataract formation
H. W. Skalka and J. T. Prchal
While the cataractogenic effects of corticosteroids are beyond dispute,
disagreement exists concerning effects of total dose, intensity of dose,
and duration of administration on cataract formation. We studied 106 adult
male patients matched for age, race, and socioeconomic status. We compared
posterior subcapsular (PSC) cataract formation among those with (39) and
without (67) a history of systemic corticosteroid therapy. Difference in
incidence of PSC opacities among patients with and without a history of
corticosteroid therapy was statistically significant. However, no
statistically significant correlation was found between PSC opacities and
total steroid dose, weekly dose (intensity), duration of dose, or age of
patient. Our findings agree with some recent literature that suggests the
most important factor in steroid-induced PSC cataract formation may be
variability in individual susceptibility to side effects of
corticosteroids. We suggest abandoning the concept of a "safe" dose.
