THURSDAY, Nov. 10 (HealthDay News) -- Glaucoma patients who discontinue use of nasal steroids may experience a significant reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP), according to a study in the November issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Some patients were able to alleviate the need for additional glaucoma drugs or surgery simply by stopping use of the corticosteroids, which are used to control allergic rhinitis or other nasal symptoms.
Christina M. Bui, M.D., of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., and colleagues reviewed the charts of 12 glaucoma patients using nasal steroids. The average IOP was determined once before, once during and twice after steroid use.
Prior to use of steroids, the average IOP was 15.4 mm Hg and during steroid use was 18.0 mm Hg. For the first post-steroid use examination, the mean IOP was 14.5 mm Hg and for the second examination was 14.8 mm Hg. The IOP decrease was maintained in 11 patients at the second visit, which was a mean of 191 days.
"Providers should consider inquiring about a history of glaucoma before prescribing a steroid intervention," the authors conclude. "Likewise, ophthalmologists should consider questioning patients with glaucoma regarding specific use of nasal sprays, as well as steroids."
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