The Ocular Complications in Children with Renal Disease Receiving Steroid Therapy

ABSTRACT

We included 46 children with renal disease who received systemic corticosteroid therapy in our study and examined the correlation between the corticosteroid use and ocular complications. The average age of patients was 9 +/-4 years and the male female ratio was 176. Cases for corticosteroid treatment were nephrotic syndrome in 16, Henoch-Sch ''onlein purpura in 9, MPGN in 9, Ig A nephropathy in 8,and others in 3. The mean duration of corticosteroid therapy was 11 months(1~77), and the mean total dose at the time of examination was 16,259 mg (2,250~61,292). The incidence of cataract formation was 47.8% and all had posterior subcapsular type. The severity of cataract was grade I in 12, grade II in 8,grade III in 1, and grade IV in 1 according to the Crews' classification.The incidence of intraocular pressure above 18 mmHg was 75%, compared to 18 mmHg (2SD) in normal control. There was no significant relation between the total dose of corticosteroid and the cataract formation, the severity of cataract,and the incidence of increased IOP. Also, there was no relation between the duration of therapy and them. In conclusion, We found that the ocular complications in children do not relate with the dose of corticosteroid and the duration of therapy and may be closely related to the individual susceptibility. It is essential to examine the eye carefully and follow up regularly those children who receive the corticosteroid therapy.