Toxic Cataract?, Steroid induced cataract, antipsychotics, anticancer, arrhythmia

👁 What is Toxic Cataract?

A toxic cataract refers to a lens opacity induced by medications or chemical substances,
used either topically (e.g., eye drops) or systemically (oral or injectable drugs).

 

 

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🔬 Common Cataract-Inducing Drugs

Drug TypeAgentCataract Type

Steroids	Prednisolone	Posterior subcapsular (PSC)
Antipsychotics	Chlorpromazine	Anterior subcapsular + corneal deposits
Anticancer	Busulfan	Posterior subcapsular
Antiarrhythmic	Amiodarone	Anterior subcapsular
Antimalarial	Chloroquine	Anterior polar cataract
Miotics	Pilocarpine	Anterior subcapsular

 

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📌 Steroid-Induced Cataract

• Risk increases with longer use or higher dose
• Individual susceptibility plays a key role
• Once formed, cataract usually progresses even after stopping
• In children: Occurs at lower doses, progresses faster, and may lead to amblyopia

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🧠 Morphological Cataract Types

TypeDescription

Nuclear	Central lens opacification
Cortical	Peripheral opacity along the lens cortex
PSC	Opacity beneath the posterior capsule
ASC	Opacity beneath the anterior capsule

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✅ Summary

• Toxic cataracts are associated with multiple drug classes
• Steroids, antipsychotics, and chemotherapy are key culprits
• Always consider toxic cataract if vision worsens during medication use
• Monitoring is crucial, especially when discontinuation isn't possible