Study links steroid-induced posterior subcapsular cataract to elevated risk of posterior capsule opacification

J Cataract Refract Surg. 2011;37(1):88-96.

Posterior subcapsular cataract in eyes with a history of corticosteroid use was linked with the development of postoperative posterior capsule opacification, a study found.

"We believe the comparison of [posterior subcapsular cataract] and [posterior capsule opacification] is based on the similarity in their etiologies," the study authors said. "Both develop on the posterior capsule and are associated with aberrant [lens epithelial cell] behavior. Several mechanisms have been proposed in an attempt to explain how steroidal agents cause aberrant [lens epithelial cell] behavior."

The prospective study included 30 cataract patients with a history of steroid use; a comparator group comprised 60 patients with no steroid history. Mean patient age was 44.26 years in the study group and 45.01 years in the control group.

All patients underwent digital retroillumination imaging at 1 month and 1 year after surgery. Evaluation of Posterior Capsule Opacification (EPCO) software was used to generate grades and area of posterior capsule opacification. The mean postoperative follow-up interval was 12 months.

Study results showed no statistically significant between-group differences in mean EPCO scores and area at 1 month postoperatively. At 1 year, the study group had a statistically significantly higher mean EPCO score (P < .043) and EPCO area (P < .045) in the central 3 mm of the IOL optic than the control group.

There were no statistically significant between-group differences in mean postoperative logMAR corrected distance visual acuity at 1 month and 1 year, the authors reported.