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Posterior subcapsular cataract and inhaled corticosteroid therapy
F Abuekteish1, J N Kirkpatrick, G Russell
1Department of Medical Paediatrics, Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital, Foresterhill, UK.
Thorax
|June 1, 1995
Summary
Inhaled corticosteroids do not cause cataracts in children, even with short oral corticosteroid courses. Long-term systemic steroid users need eye screening, but inhaled steroid users do not.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatrics
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Posterior subcapsular cataract is a known complication of systemic and topical corticosteroid use.
- The impact of inhaled corticosteroids on cataract development remains unclear in pediatric populations.
Observation:
- 140 children and young adults using inhaled corticosteroids were assessed via slit lamp examination.
- 103 patients had received short courses of oral corticosteroids, and 4 had received prolonged courses.
- One patient with prolonged oral corticosteroid exposure developed posterior subcapsular cataract.
Findings:
- No evidence suggests inhaled corticosteroids alone cause cataracts.
- Combined use of inhaled and short-term oral corticosteroids did not correlate with cataract formation.
- Prolonged systemic corticosteroid therapy, not inhaled therapy, was associated with cataract development.
Implications:
- Routine cataract screening is unnecessary for children using inhaled corticosteroids.
- Children on long-term systemic corticosteroid therapy require regular ophthalmic monitoring for cataracts.
- This study clarifies the safety profile of inhaled corticosteroids regarding ocular side effects in pediatric patients.