Prevalence and Risk of Cataracts in Granulocyte Donors

An increased prevalence of cataracts was recently described in a small number of granulocyte donors who had received repeated doses of adrenal corticosteroids as part of their mobilization regimen for granulocyte donation. Mild posterior subcapsular cataracts (PSCs) were found in 4 of 11 (36%) of granulocyte donors versus 0 of 9 platelet donors. Though the relationship or corticosteroid administration to the development of PSCs is well established, not all steroid recipients develop such lesions. Observational studies suggest that the development of PSCs is an associated risk if steroids are given for a prolonged period of time (greater than 10 mg/day for 1-2 years). To maximize the cellular yield of granulocytapheresis procedures, granulocyte donors are given a single dose of an adrenal steroid the day prior to donation. Since 1984, it has been standard practice in the NIH Department of Transfusion Medicine (DTM) to administer dexamethasone 8 mg orally 12 hours prior to donation. Since 1996 both dexamethasone 8 mg orally as well as granulocyte colony-stimulating-factor (G-CSF) 5 microg/kg subcutaneously are administered on the day prior to donation to maximize cell yields during apheresis. It is also standard procedure in DTM to restrict granulocyte donation to once per month (12 times/year), with few medical exceptions. To determine the prevalence of ophthalmologic abnormalities, particularly PSCs, in DTM granulocyte donors, we propose to perform a medical history and comprehensive blinded ophthalmologic examination on all consenting granulocyte donors. Age and gender-matched volunteer plateletpheresis donors will be invited as controls. If an increase in the incidence of PSCs or other lens or eye abnormalities is found in the granulocyte donors compared with the plateletpheresis donors, we will attempt to correlate the factors operating during granulocyte donation that are related to this increased risk.