Inhaled and oral steroids are commonly used by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. A study was conducted by the Centre for Vision Research in the University of Sydney in Australia to assess the long-term impact of steroid use in cataracts. According to lead researcher, Jie Jin Wang, MMed, PhD, their findings could mean that the longer a patient is on steroids, the greater is his risk for developing two types of cataract, the posterior subscapular cataract (PSC) and the nuclear cataract. In PSC, the cataract develops in the rear area while in nuclear cataract; the cataract develops in the center of the lens. Furthermore, duration of use is not the only factor associated with higher cataract risk but cumulative dosages also plays a role.

Patients identified who are at high risk for those two types of cataract were all current users of oral steroids for at least one month or have used inhaled steroids at least once.

Also, current clinical trials suggest that using a combination of oral and inhaled steroids versus using inhaled steroids alone produce similar effects. Researchers therefore suggest that a more discreet prescription of combined inhaled and oral steroids may help decrease the risk of asthma in patients.

According to Medical News Today:

“Our findings could mean that combined steroid use, when it results in high cumulative dosage over relatively long periods, increases risks for two types of cataract,” said lead researcher, Jie Jin Wang, MMed, PhD, Centre for Vision Research. “When clinicians prescribe both steroid forms, the cumulative, combined dose should be considered. Also, recent clinical trials indicate that combined steroids are not more effective than inhaled steroids alone in treating asthma.” He added that further investigation is needed to determine whether asthma plays a role in nuclear cataract development.