Exposure to a number of drugs or chemicals can result in cataract development.
Some exposures require high doses and/or prolonged therapy.
Drug or Chemical |
Type of Cataract |
---|---|
alcohol |
age-related |
allopurinol (gout medications) |
age-related |
amiodarone |
anterior subcapsular |
anticholinesterase agents |
anterior subcapsular |
busulfan |
posterior subcapsular |
chloroquine |
posterior subcapsular (white flaky) |
chlorpromazine |
stellate opacities; anterior polar; brownish-yellow granules in anterior capsule |
cigarette smoking |
nuclear |
copper |
anterior capsular and subcapsular deposits, sunflower-type |
corticosteroids |
posterior subcapsular |
deferoxamine mesylate |
|
ergot |
|
gold |
anterior capsular deposits |
hypocalcemia, adult |
anterior and/or posterior subcapsular |
hypocalcemia, pediatric |
lamellar |
iron |
brownish discoloration |
lead |
|
Quetiapine fumarate (antipsychotic) |
|
trinitrotoluene |
|
where:
• Desferoxamine-related cataracts need to be distinguished from cataracts caused by the metal being chelated.
Differential diagnosis:
(1) cataracts associated with drug-induced renal failure
(2) cataracts associated with drug-induced glaucoma
(3) cataracts associated with gout
(4) cataracts due to other causes
Specialty: Ophthalmology