Syndermatotic cataract in patients with psoriasis

266 consecutive in-patients, more than 10 years of age (mean age 24.7) and suffering from psoriasis have been examined with slit lamp and ophthalmoscope to determine the incidence of cataract among such patients. 188 (70%) had clear lenses. 66(26%) presented some minute punctate opacities considered as physiological variations. Four had blue-dot cataract, and 6 had congenital or evolutionary small opacities at various sites in the lenses but without blurring of vision. Only one patient, aged 72, had crystalline cataract with slightly impaired vision. The conclusion is drawn that the incidence of cataract among patients with psoriasis does not exceed that in the normal population. Consequently, routine eye examinations for cataract are unnecessary in these patients.