Posterior subcapsular cataracts, associated with long-term corticosteroid therapy. Prednisolone versus 6 alpha-fluor-16 alpha-methyl-1-dehydrocorticosterone.

The side effects of corticosteroid therapy were studied in 50 children on long-term therapy for nephrotic syndrome or various collagen diseases. The treatment consisted of prednisolone given to 24 children, and Ultralan (6 alpha-fluor-16 alpha-methyl-1-dehydrocorticosterone) given to 15 patients, both in an alternate-day fashion. Both drugs as well as methylprednisolone and dexamethasone were given successively to 11 children. Duration of therapy and doses were equivalent in all patients studied. The patients on Ultralan therapy developed posterior subcapsular cataracts to a significant higher degree (10 out of 15) and more rapidly (after a cumulative dose of 5.0-10.0 g/m2 body surface area on 1-2 years duration of therapy) than on prednisolone monotherapy or on mixed steroid therapy.