Glaucoma due to corticosteroids

Pearls Manager: Andrew Tatham

Topical, intravitreal or systemic corticosteroids can induce acute or chronic intraocular pressure elevation. Risk factors for corticosteroid-induced IOP elevation include: primary open angle glaucoma, family history of glaucoma, diabetes, myopia, rheumatoid arthritis, children and elderly patients. Corticosteroids induce changes in the trabecular extracellular matrix which lead to decreased outflow facility. Elevated IOP usually develops 2 to 6 weeks after initiating therapy but may occur at any time.

EGS Guidelines, 4th edition, Page 97.

Reference: Jones R 3rd, Rhee DJ. Corticosteroid-induced ocular hypertension and glaucoma: a brief review and update on the literature. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 2006;17(2):163-7.