Background/ Context: Corticosteroids, despite being a very effective line of treatment for various disorders is known to have a wide range of
adverse effects. The use of systemic and topical steroids has been associated with cataract formation, however the ophthalmic side effects of
application of steroid on skin away from the face has not been studied in depth. With increasing use of corticosteroids as rst line of therapy in
treatment of various dermatological conditions, the ocular side effects, if any, of these preparations, cannot be overlooked. Aim: To study the
incidence of cataract in patients using skin preparations of corticosteroids away from the face and also to correlate the dose and duration of steroid
therapy to incidence of cataract. Materials & Methods: 50 patients with dermatological disorders who were being treated with dermatological
steroids, on sites other than the face and periorbital region, for a period of more than six months consisted of the study group. The study group
consisted of patients in the age group of 20 – 60 years. The study was conducted over a period of two years at a tertiary care hospital. Visual acuity,
Slit lamp biomicroscopy, applanation tonometryand detailed fundus examination using 90D lens were carried out. Results: The incidence of
cataract was signicantly higher in patients using dermatological steroids away from the face. Prolonged duration of use of these steroids also
indicated a signicantly higher incidence of cataract. However, a larger population based study needs to be carried out to study the relationship
between potency of steroid and incidence of cataract, although preliminary studies indicate a denite correlation between the two. Conclusions:
Despite, steroids being used away from the face, there was a denite increase in the incidence of cataract. Before coming to any rm conclusions it
would be advisable to reproduce the study in a larger population. However from the present pilot study it is prudent to advocate judicious use of
innocuous looking steroid creams as they can cause signicant adverse effects
Ocular Side Effects of Drugs and Basic Pharmacology.
