Which eye condition is a known adverse effect of steroid therapy?

Cataracts are a known adverse effect of steroid therapy due to the way steroids influence the eye’s lens. Prolonged use of corticosteroids can lead to the development of cataracts by accelerating the natural aging process of the lens and altering its proteins, which can cloud the lens and impair vision. Patients on chronic steroid treatments are at a higher risk for this condition, often leading to the need for surgical correction.

In comparison, while glaucoma can also be associated with steroid use, the development of cataracts is a more widely recognized and documented concern in the literature regarding steroid therapy. Astigmatism, being a refractive error, is not directly caused by steroid therapy, and retinal detachment is a condition that has various risk factors unrelated to steroid use. Therefore, cataracts stand out as the primary concern when discussing the adverse effects of steroid treatments on eye health.