Which medication class has been associated with cataract development?

Which medication class has been associated with cataract development?

• A. Corticosteroids
• B. Antibiotics
• C. Antihistamines
• D. Beta blockers

Answer: (A)

Long-term corticosteroid use can change how the lens metabolizes proteins, leading to opacification, most often a posterior subcapsular cataract. This risk applies to systemic steroids and to topical ocular steroids used for inflammation, and it increases with higher doses and longer duration of therapy. The other drug classes listed—antibiotics, antihistamines, and beta blockers—do not typically cause cataracts. So corticosteroids are the medication class associated with cataract development.

Long-term corticosteroid use can change how the lens metabolizes proteins, leading to opacification, most often a posterior subcapsular cataract. This risk applies to systemic steroids and to topical ocular steroids used for inflammation, and it increases with higher doses and longer duration of therapy. The other drug classes listed—antibiotics, antihistamines, and beta blockers—do not typically cause cataracts. So corticosteroids are the medication class associated with cataract development.