What type of cataract is commonly associated with long-term corticosteroid use?

Long-term corticosteroid use is most commonly associated with posterior subcapsular cataracts. These cataracts typically form at the back of the lens and are related to the way corticosteroids affect lens epithelial cells. Corticosteroids can lead to changes in cell metabolism and result in the proliferation of lens epithelial cells, which contribute to opacification at the posterior pole of the lens.

Posterior subcapsular cataracts can develop relatively quickly compared to other types due to this effect. Patients experiencing this type of cataract may notice visual disturbances in activities such as reading or driving at night, as these findings usually correlate with changes in vision due to light scattering caused by the cataract.

In contrast, other types of cataracts such as nuclear sclerotic or cortical cataracts have different pathophysiological mechanisms and are not primarily linked to corticosteroid use. Nuclear sclerotic cataracts often develop with age and involve the central nucleus of the lens, whereas cortical cataracts usually pertain to the outer layer of the lens and typically progress more slowly. Anterior subcapsular cataracts might occur due to various factors but are less commonly associated with corticosteroid exposure compared to posterior subcapsular cataracts.