Cataractogenic potential

Exposure of animals to large doses of PUVA without eye protection has produced cataracts and 8-methoxypsoralen enhances this effect however, in patients receiving PUVA therapy who use appropriate eye protection, there is no evidence for an increased risk of cataract formation. Prior to the initiation of PUVA therapy and yearly thereafter, patients should have an ophthalmologic examination because of the cataractogenic potential of psoralens. 

Aleo MD, Avery MJ, Beierschmitt WP, Drupa CA, Fortner JH, Kaplan AH, Navetta KA, Shepard RM, Walsh CM (2000) The use of explant lens culture to assess cataractogenic potential. The Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 919 171-187. 

The evaluation of undesired ocular drug side-effects has become an impor-tant issue in preclinical drug development and possible cataractogenic potentials are key issues in this respect (Hockwin and Wegener, 1987). A number of animal cataract models has been established in rodents, their suitability for toxicological research, however, varies considerably. 

As already established in recent toxicity studies with rats, a triazin-derivative has shown a direct cataractogenic potential. 

In animal study it was reported that 89% of the mice fed PPD developed lenticular changes indicating that PPD has cataractogenous effects, which are related to the duration, amount and individual sensitivity [49]. It was concluded that PPD is potentially toxic to human lens. Exophthalmia and permanent blindness due to optic nerve atrophy following PPD poisoning were reported [6]. Using a patch test to determine PPD phototoxicity, it was proved that PPD could cause a phototoxic reaction and photoallergy [50- 51]. 

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