Can Steroids Cause any Eye Problem?

Tell your doctor right once if you experience any further medical issues, especially if you: Corticosteroids may either create cataracts or exacerbate existing ones. Yes, there is a good chance that using steroids against advice can cause cataract formation. Prednisone, glucocorticoids, cortisone, and hydrocortisone are corticosteroid medications referred to as steroids. These are prescribed by doctors to treat disorders like lupus, asthma, severe skin allergies, arthritis, and eye ailments as well as to lessen inflammation in the body. Injections, eye drops, pills, inhalers, creams, and ointments are all examples of ways to take steroids. Patients should be aware of the connection between steroids and the adverse effects connected with it even though doctors prescribe them for certain disorders. It has been observed that long-term usage of anti-inflammatory steroids may:

• Cause diabetes or worsen the existing
• Cataract formation such as subcapsular cataract
• Weaken your bones and immune systems
• Formation of open-angle glaucoma

A cataract is more likely to form in those who use oral and inhaled steroids. As a result, the person begins to experience glare or haloes at night; they may also experience double vision, drooping eyelids, problems with peripheral (side) vision, and difficulty seeing at night.

Risk factors

Steroids affect every body differently. Some persons are more susceptible to the effects of steroids. Nearsightedness, open-angle glaucoma, diabetes mellitus, and rheumatoid arthritis patients are more prone to encounter the visual side effects. In general, steroid ocular effects are more common in elderly people and young children under the age of six. However, PSC cataracts (Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts) can also occasionally develop in patients who have never used steroids of any kind. A medical evaluation is necessary.

How does it affect and for how long?

Any type of steroid might increase the pressure in your eyes. After taking steroids for a few weeks, the eye pressure usually starts to rise. Eye issues are typically brought on by eye drops and oral medications. But more crucially, it is the duration, not the bigger dose, that has the most impact; the danger increases with the length of time. As a result, if you use steroids for a prolonged period of time, you should talk to your doctor and get regular eye exams to keep track of your eye pressure.

Other Side Effects

It is crucial that individuals are informed of all the benefits and drawbacks in order to schedule timely consultations with eye doctors. Ignoring any indication or result could get you into serious trouble. There are just a few illnesses connected to it, other eye conditions like cataract and glaucoma:

• Osteoporosis
• High blood pressure
• Increased appetite
• Thinning of the skin
• Frequent infections
• Delayed wound healing

Steroid use over an extended period of time increases the risk of cataract development or exacerbates already cataracts. There may be circumstances where the brief and minor blurring of vision brought on by steroids. In every instance, however, it is advised to get an eye exam so that any symptoms can be thoroughly examined. Steroid-induced cataract can be successfully treated, therefore there is no need to be very anxious.