Medicated Cataracts: The Impact of Corticosteroids on Eye Health
Hi guys, what's up? This is Dr. Mário Bulla, and welcome once again to Retina e Vítreo, the most complete retina channel on YouTube. Take the opportunity to leave your likes and comments about your questions in the field of ophthalmology. It's a pleasure for us to answer your questions and we often choose questions to make videos about, as is the case today.
We received a very interesting comment from a follower who mentioned that he had a medicated cataract and that the doctor said that this was why the cataract couldn't be operated on. He asks if that makes sense. In reality, I find this comment very strange, because whether or not a cataract is medicated doesn't define whether or not it can be operated on.
What is Medicated Cataract?
A drug cataract is an opacity in the lens of the eye caused by the use of certain medications. The main medication responsible for the formation of this type of cataract is corticosteroids. There are various types of corticoids, widely used to treat rheumatological and autoimmune diseases, asthma and lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis.
How Do Corticoids Affect Vision?
Corticoids can cause a specific form of cataract called posterior subcapsular cataract. This type of cataract forms in the most posterior part of the lens and can impair vision quickly and significantly. Patients often report that their vision gets much worse when exposed to the sun, while in darker environments the perception of blurriness is less in the early stages of the disease.
Is it Possible to Operate for Medical Cataracts?
Yes, it is possible and often necessary to operate on medicated cataracts. The decision to operate depends mainly on the general state of the patient's eye health and the impact of the cataract on vision. If the rest of the eye is healthy, surgery is indicated to restore vision.
Correct Use of Corticosteroids
It is important to emphasize that the use of corticoids as directed by a doctor is not wrong. There are serious illnesses that require the use of corticoids, and often these drugs are indispensable. However, using them in very high doses or for prolonged periods increases the chance of developing cataracts. Not all corticosteroid users develop cataracts, but the risk increases with the time and dosage of treatment.
Risks of Indiscriminate Use of Corticosteroids
The indiscriminate use of corticoids, without medical advice, can lead not only to the formation of cataracts, but also to other serious conditions, such as Cushing's disease and even diabetes. It is therefore crucial to follow medical recommendations and not to self-medicate.
Conclusion
To answer our follower's question, medicated cataracts can be operated on. If you are experiencing vision problems due to the use of corticosteroids, see your ophthalmologist for a full assessment and discuss the possibility of surgery. Don't forget to leave your like, subscribe to the channel and keep following our videos for more information on eye health.
Until the next video, here on the Retina e Vítreo channel!
This video and its comments are not a substitute for a doctor's consultation and are for educational purposes only. They should not be used to make decisions, for which a face-to-face consultation with a specialist doctor is necessary.
Author:
Dr. Mário César Bulla
Cremers 28120
Ophthalmologist - Retinologist
www.clinicabulla.com.br
www.especialistaemretina.com.br
Instagram: @retina.bulla
Video URL: • Catarata pode ser causada por remédio !
@Retina e Vítreo
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#ophthalmology
0:00 Cataracts can be caused by medication.
0:40 What is drug cataract?
1:05 How does drug cataract progress?
2:00 Can medicated cataracts be operated on?
