cortisone and cataracts

[loulabell2]

I have subcapsular posterior cataracts. i am in my mid-thirties. I DO have high myopia (-10) but had no eye problems other than this whatsoever, until I had a chronic sinus problem four years ago after 30 years of life with barely a cold - floaters and symptoms of cataracts (glare, halos etc) arrived within a month or so - despite my hihg myopia i had never seen even one floater. I had had routine but thorough eye exams just before the sinus problem started and no cataracts or floaters were present. I am wondering if there could be a link to the sinus problem or the nasal ****** i was given for it, i had the ****** for a month or so and oral cortisone for only a week...is that too szhort a time to cause cataracts?The Dr's I have seen blame everything on my high myopia but I have a gut feeling the sinus problem could be to blame as one specialist said the cataract could be due to what has happened to the 'vitreous' and I think sinus problems could cause alterations in this area.I am aware a high myope is at risk of floaters and cataracts but i am particularly suspicious of how the glare, halos etc suddenly appeared and the timing of this. If its possible such a short course of medicine could cause these problem maybe more pople should be warned.        

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

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[alec387]

My floaters and halos can get very bad -- then recover. What seems to cause it is taking licorice. I take this for low adrenal function. It increases coristol levels. Cortisol is same as cortisone-- which you took for the sinuses. The steroid can increase the pressure in the eye and cause the se problems to appear. Stop taking the cortisone and see if your eyes get better.

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

Sinus problems don't cause cataracts. Long term use of oral, nasal, injected or topical (drops) steroids can cause cataracts but you would be talking about years (at least 6 months) of ongoing use to implicate steroids.

JCH III MD