Question: What effects does Cushing’s have on the eyes?

Answer: Patients with Cushing’s syndrome may rarely develop an eye condition called central serous chorioretinopathy. This condition represents the accumulation of fluid behind the retina of the eye and may cause detachment of the retina resulting in impaired vision. Men are apparently affected more commonly than women, but the condition is quite unusual, even in Cushing’s patients where the prevalence is probably less than 5%. Since patients with Cushing’s syndrome may have diabetes, abnormalities in the retina can occur from elevated blood sugar. Since steroid therapy is associated with increased risk for cataract formation, it seems likely that patients with Cushing’s syndrome probably carry an increased risk for cataracts.

By Dr. James Findling MD (June, 1997)