A retrospective study of ocular findings in patients treated with PUVA

Photochemotherapy combined with psoralen, now widely used in the treatment of psoriasis, vitiligo, Andrews' disease and some other skin conditions, has been accepted as one of the potential factors that might contribute to the development of cataract. This view is based upon experimental animal studies. In the present study 408 patients receiving PUVA treatment in the period between 1977 and 1983 have been followed up for up to 6 years after the initiation of therapy. Repeated ophthalmological examinations were performed, particularly in order to detect any early signs of lens changes. In 20 patients development or increase of lens opacities could be observed. There is some evidence that in 3 of these 20 patients cataract formation was attributable to PUVA.