Corticosteroid Ocular Effects — RACP Adult Medicine MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

EasyClinical PharmacologyCorticosteroid Ocular EffectsRACP Adult Medicine

A 45-year-old woman on long-term prednisolone 15 mg daily for SLE develops a posterior subcapsular cataract. What other ocular complication of chronic corticosteroid use should be screened for?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B — Glaucoma (elevated intraocular pressure)

Long-term corticosteroid use causes two major ocular complications: posterior subcapsular cataract (most common – dose and duration dependent) and corticosteroid-induced glaucoma (elevated intraocular pressure, occurring in ~30% of patients on chronic steroids). Annual ophthalmological screening including IOP measurement is recommended for patients on long-term corticosteroids. Open-angle glaucoma from steroids is usually reversible with dose reduction/cessation but can cause permanent optic nerve damage if undetected.

Reference: AMH – 2025 – Corticosteroid Adverse Effects; eTG – 2025 – Rheumatology