Can Steroid Medications Lead to Cataracts?
 

          Powerful steroid medications such as prednisone and cortisone are used as anti-inflammatories for a number of diseases such as asthma, lupus, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and eczema.  As much as I may oppose drugs and Western medicine, I have to admit that, in certain situations, steroid medications can save lives.  Of course, long term use of any drug, even certain herbs and vitamins, is never a good thing and can lead to nasty side effects. Yes, in emergency situations steroids can be life saving, but long-term use will produce adverse reaction and possibly even irreversible damage to certain organs and systems of the body. 

Steroids are often prescribed for the treatment of acute illness rather than chronic illness and this is done in order to prevent the harmful side effects associated with steroids such as weakening of bones, fluid retention, mood swings, confusion, high blood pressure, and, less well known are the eye problems like glaucoma and cataracts.  Even inhaled steroids such as Flovent and Advair have the potential to cause glaucoma and cataracts.  This may come as a surprise to many people considering the popularity and low dosage of these particular steroids.

Anyone using steroids for long term should have a yearly eye exam so that if an eye problem is developing, it can be treated early and the steroid can be discontinued.  Discontinuing steroid medication abruptly can cause just as many problems as you would be facing had you continued their use.  These medications need to be stopped gradually and preferably under the supervision of the doctor who prescribed them.  If your doctor does not agree with your decision to stop the steroids, I suggest you find a new doctor, one who is more open-minded to alternative therapies.

Alternative Therapies

Many people use steroids to control their asthma symptoms and cannot simply discontinue its use without replacing it with something natural.  For the natural treatment of asthma, I recommend licorice root.  This herb is often used to reduce inflammation of the airways.  Long-term steroid use can weaken the adrenals.  They sense the hormones already in the blood and are not needed to produce more.  The adrenal glands will eventually shut down and licorice root will enliven the adrenal glands once more.

It is also helpful to adopt an anti-inflammatory diet which is high in fresh vegetables like spinach and chard, fruits like deeply colored blueberries and cranberries, and clod-water fish.  Omega-3 fatty acids help to fight inflammation throughout the body and fish oil is great for the natural treatment of asthma.  Stay away from sugars, white flour, and fried foods which cause inflammation. 

For cataracts and glaucoma, bilberry is without equal.  This herb can be taken as a capsule or a liquid extract.  Bilberry tea is another excellent way to take this herb.  Some people make bilberry tea with purified water and use it as an eyewash, after it has been allowed to cool.  The tea must also be strained if it is to be used as an eyewash.