Can Prednisone Cause Cataracts?

Steroid medications, including prednisone, are often used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). One prednisone side effect that can occur with high doses or prolonged use is the development of cataracts.

Cataracts are generally thought of as a condition of older persons. However, steroids can cause cataracts to develop in younger people. Unlike some side effects, such as facial "mooning," increased appetite, hair growth, and acne, a cataract will not abate after the course of steroid treatment is complete. However, if the steroid dosage is lessened or discontinued, an existing cataract may not get any larger.

Cataracts are fortunately very treatable. Not everyone who requires steroids will develop cataracts. This adverse effect of steroids is well-known, however, and anyone taking these drugs should see an eye doctor on a regular basis.

Man doing eye test with optometrist
Nastasic / Getty Images

Symptoms

In the United States, it is estimated that half of persons over the age of 75 years have at least one cataract. Congenital cataracts can occur in newborns (at a rate of 2-4 per 10,000 per year) but are generally the result of an infection, or drug or alcohol abuse during the pregnancy.

Symptoms of cataracts include:

  • Blurry vision
  • Colors appear faded (especially blue)
  • Difficulty seeing in brightly or dimly lit rooms
  • Double vision
  • Film-like haze over vision
  • Frequent eyeglass prescription changes
  • Increased nearsightedness
  • Seeing halos around lights
  • Reduced night vision

Causes

Cataracts often occur naturally as a person ages After light enters the pupil of the eye, it passes through the lens comprised primarily of water and proteins. The lens functions much like a camera, focusing that light onto the retina. The lens of your eye can actually change shape to focus on objects that are close or far away.

During the normal aging process, some of the proteins in the lens may clump together, causing an area of opacity known as a cataract. Over time, the area will become larger and more opaque, clouding the lens and making it difficult to see.

There are three types of cataracts commonly diagnosed by ophthalmologists:

  • Nuclear: This type of cataract develops slowly, is more common in older persons, and gives the eye a yellow tinge.
  • Cortical: This type of cataract is common in people with diabetes. Cortical cataract forms in the lens cortex, and eventually extend outward like the spokes on a wheel.
  • Posterior subcapsular: This type of cataract may be caused by high doses of prednisone, extreme farsightedness, and retinitis pigmentosa. It forms at the back of the lens and tends to develop over months, rather than years. People with posterior subcapsular cataract tend to have trouble seeing close objects.

Risk Factors

Use of prednisone, administered in high doses or for a prolonged period of time, is a risk factor for cataracts. However, there are several other risk factors, including age, prior eye surgery or trauma, chronic conditions, and certain medications.

Other medications known to increase the risk of cataracts include the antiarrhythmic drug amiodarone, the antipsychotic drug chlorpromazine, the anti-cholesterol drug Mevacor (lovastatin), and the anti-seizure drug Dilantin (phenytoin).

Ultraviolet light is a known risk factor; wear sunglasses or a hat with a brim to reduce exposure. Eye trauma is also a risk factor; wear protective eyewear when engaging in activities where eye injury is possible.

Treatment

In the early stages of a cataract, sight can be improved through the use of eyeglasses, appropriate lighting, and a magnifying lens for reading or other close work.

Although there are no medications known to prevent cataracts, it is thought that a diet high in antioxidants (including beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E) may help prevent them.

However, if the cataract progresses to a point where everyday activities become difficult, surgery may be necessary. Fortunately, cataract surgery is common and safe, with most patients reporting improved eyesight and quality of life afterward.

There are two surgeries commonly used to treat cataracts: phacoemulsification, which utilizes ultrasound waves, and extracapsular surgery, which involves the replacement of the eye lens.

In phacoemulsification surgery, a small probe that emits ultrasound waves is inserted into the eye through an incision. The ultrasound waves cause the cataract to break into pieces, which are then suctioned away from the eye.

In extracapsular cataract surgery, the lens with the cataract is removed from the eye and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens. The artificial lens looks and feels normal, though it cannot change shape like a natural lens. Persons with an intraocular lens will need eyeglasses for reading or close work.

7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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By Amber J. Tresca
Amber J. Tresca is a freelance writer and speaker who covers digestive conditions, including IBD. She was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 16.