๐ 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).
๐ฌ 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 |
๐ 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
๐ง 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 |
โ 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
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