Cataracts in childhood leukaemia.

The incidence and severity of cataract were studied in 37 children who had completed treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Twelve (32%) had posterior subcapsular lens opacities. Treatment had included corticosteroids and cranial irradiation, but no dose relationship was evident. The boys were more severely affected than the girls. Although none of the lens opacities was optically significant, clinicians should be aware of the potential risk to vision.