Open AccessSteroid-induced Glaucoma: An Avoidable Irreversible Blindness
Author(s) -
SS Pandav,
Savleen Kaur,
Sushmita Kaushik,
Sonia Phulke
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of current glaucoma practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.589
H-Index - 11
eISSN - 0975-1947
pISSN - 0974-0333
DOI - 10.5005/jp-journals-10028-1226
Subject(s) - glaucoma , medicine , blindness , intraocular pressure , ophthalmology , open angle glaucoma , steroid , ocular hypertension , medical prescription , optometry , pharmacology , hormone
Steroids are a group of anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly used to treat ocular and systemic conditions. Unmonitored use of steroids especially in eye drop formulations is common in situations when it is easily available over-the-counter, resulting in undesirable side effects. Among the ocular side effects, cataract and glaucoma are common. Steroid-induced ocular hypertension was reported in 1950, when long-term use of systemic steroid was shown to increase the intraocular pressure (IOP). Chronic administration of steroids in any form with raised IOP can cause optic neuropathy resulting in steroid-induced glaucoma. This review describes the pathophysiology and epidemiology of steroid-induced glaucoma, recognition of side effects, and principles of management. The purpose is to familiarize all clinicians with the potential dangers of administering steroids without monitoring the eye and the dangers of irreversible blindness in some instances of habitual self-prescription by patients. How to cite this article Phulke S, Kaushik S, Kaur S, Pandav SS. Steroid-induced Glaucoma: An Avoidable Irreversible Blindness. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2017;11(2):67-72.