Reversibility of corticosteroid-associated cataracts in children with the nephrotic syndrome.

We reexamined the eyes of 39 nephrotic children to investigate further the relationship between oral corticosteroid therapy and posterior subcapsular cataract formation. The corticosteroid dosage was proportional to each patient's weight. Six children had posterior subcapsular cataracts an average of 16 months after the first examination. Nine patients had complete regression of their posterior subcapsular cataracts. We found no correlation between the age at onset of the nephrotic syndrome, the dosage or duration of corticosteroid therapy, or the renal biopsy findings and posterior subcapsular cataract formation. Cushingoid manifestations were significantly more common in the patients with posterior subcapsular cataracts. These patients may be more sensitive to the effects of corticosteroids than those who never had cataracts and those whose cataracts regressed.