[Ocular side-effects of corticotherapy (analysis of 3 cases)]

Abstract

Corticosteroids absorbed into the system, or, in particular, used locally, can lead to serious ocular complications often little understood by those who prescribe them. Among the three cases documented, the authors found one cortisone glaucoma, one cortisone cataract, and one associated glaucoma-cataract. General absorption occurred in one case, a nephrotic syndrome. The two other patients received corticosteroid ointment for chronic limbo-conjunctivitis, endemic in the tropics. Rigorous indication, respect for basic prescription laws, and regular supervision, particularly for long-term treatment, is necessary to prevent these iatrogenic accidents.