Cataract and ocular hypertension in children on inhaled corticosteroid therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain the incidence of posterior subcapsular cataract and ocular hypertension in a cohort of children < or = 12 years on inhaled steroid therapy.


METHODS
In this prospective study, a detailed history regarding corticosteroid therapy was obtained for children attending an asthma clinic. The presence and type of lens changes (cataract) was recorded and intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured. The children underwent another eye examination 2 years later.


RESULTS
Ninety-five patients were enrolled in the study. Mean patient age was 7 +/- 3 years, and mean duration of inhaled steroid therapy was 2 +/- 1 years. Thirty-six percent of patients received inhaled steroids exclusively, 61% received inhaled steroids with a short course of oral steroids, and 3% received inhaled steroids with a long course of oral steroids. Only 3 (3%) patients had cortical changes that were not visually significant, and none had posterior subcapsular or nuclear cataract. There was no significant differences between children with cataract and those without cataract with respect to age; duration of asthma; and duration, average daily dose, and cumulative dose of inhaled steroids. IOP ranged from 11 to 20 mm Hg (mean, 16 +/- 3 mm Hg). None of the children had ocular hypertension or glaucoma. Ninety patients underwent eye examination 2 years later; none was found to develop posterior subcapsular cataract or increased IOP.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates the use of inhaled steroids in children with asthma is probably safe as far as not inducing posterior subcapsular cataract or ocular hypertension.
Behbehani
Abdulmutalib H
AH
Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology Division, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Alsafat, Kuwait.
Owayed
Abdulla F
AF
Hijazi
Zeinat M
ZM
Eslah
Esmail A
EA
Al-Jazzaf
Adel M
AM
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019819:Budesonide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012449:Safety
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D019819:Budesonide; D001507:Beclomethasone