Possible Effects of Growth Hormone Therapy on the Eye

Abstract

AbstractBackground: 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.