Possible Effects of Growth Hormone Therapy on the Eye

Document Type : Original Article

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The Departments of Pediatrics* and Ophthalmology**, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University

Abstract

Abstract
Background: Human growth hormone therapy in children may affect the eye due to its growth promoting properties.
Aim of the Study: To detect possible effects of growth hormone therapy on ocular axial length, refraction and posterior segment.
Patients and Methods: This study included 30 Growth Hormone (GH) deficient children scheduled for human GH therapy. Before GH treatment patients ocular examination included: Dilated fundus, cycloplegic spherical equivalent and axial length using A-scan ultra sound. All the previous examination items were repeated and documented 6 months after treatment start.
Results: 30 GH deficient children were included; 17 (56.7%) males and 13 (43.3%) females of whom 3 had turner syndrome. Mean age was 11 .39±3.64 years. Mean spherical equivalent of cycloplegic refraction was +0.81-}0.85 diopter pre-therapy and +0.26-}0.6 diopter 6 months after therapy (p-value=0.2). Mean axial length was 21.04-}1.33mm pre-therapy and 21.421.39mm 6 months after therapy (p-value=0. 12). Right sided papilledema occurred in 1 patient with turner syndrome (1.66%) 6 months after therapy, while no other retinal complications were found.
Conclusion: We found no significant change in ocular axial length and refraction 6 months after GH therapy. One case of pseudotumour cerebri was documented. We recommend routine fundus examination for patients receiving GH therapy and stop of therapy once papilloedema encountered.

Keywords

The Medical Journal of Cairo University
Volume 87, September
September 2019
Pages 2963-2966

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