Question - Steroids are generally recognized as playing a role in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. What is the association between the use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and intraocular pressure (IOP)?
Answer - A recent cross-sectional study reported “A total of 400 subjects participated, with 200 in each group. The mean IOP of cases was 15.31 ± 3.27 mm Hg, statistically significantly higher than the mean of 13.39 mm Hg ± 1.95 in controls (P < 0.001). The mean CCT (central corneal thickness) in cases was 522.02 ± 30.47 μm, lower than the mean of 528.73 ± 29.09 μm of the control group (P > 0.001). Of the 200 cases, 11 (5.5%) had ocular hypertension and 2 (1%) had open-angle glaucoma. There was no statistically significant correlation between duration of inhaled steroids usage and increase in IOP (P = 0.62). There was no development of ocular hypertension or glaucoma among the controls.” These investigators concluded “Our findings suggest a probable association between ICS and IOP and that it may be advisable to measure baseline IOPs and CCT and to follow patients on ICS at regular intervals.” (Shroff S et al. The effect of inhale steroids on the intraocular pressure. 2018 Digital J Opthalmol 24(2). DOI: 10.5693/djo.01.2018.04.001)