Cortisone and cataracts....

Dear Dr.
This past July I went for a much needed eye exam. I have worn glasses since I was six years old. My visual deficits involve myopia with a slight astigmatism. I was given an updated lens prescription. The examination for underlying eye disease revealed bi-lateral "steroid induced" cataracts. The doctor questioned me about past steroid use. I told him that a long time ago I had been given a prescription for oral Methyl Prednisone for an inflamation (inflammation). I also told him that I have numerous orthopedic ailments which are the result of an accident and subsequent orthopedic surgeries. As part of my treatments I have had celestone injections in my right shoulder once, my left knee three times, and epidural steroid injections of the cervical spine at C5-T1. I also told him that I am in pain management and my pain doctor suggested that another series of epidurals might help relieve my pain temporarily enough to retard the need to titrate up on my pain meds, and that we have scheduled these to begin in mid September. I furthered that my pain doctor said that if they do help with my pain for several months at a time the injections could be repeated to at least three series of injections a year. It is my understanding according to my eye doctor; that the type of cataracts I have can only be induced by steroids, however, I also know that myopia and smoking increases the risk for developing cataracts. Can there be any correlation to the type of cataracts I have with myopia and my smoking? The eye doctor told me that the cataracts I have are developing from the center of the lens and not from the outer edges as most cataracts do, and that is how he knows they are from steroid use. Thank you for your kind attention to this matter!

                                                                      Codfather

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

The "steroid cataract" is called a posterior subcapsular cataract and other things cuase it including bad luck. SO while its liklely that smoking and steroids contributed to your cataract its not 100% sure. It makes no difference as to the type of cataract at treatment (surgery) is the same.

JCH MD