Should You Avoid Steroids if You Have Glaucoma
Steroid medications may alter aqueous outflow and increase eye pressure. Iatrogenic glaucoma can be avoided by monitoring IOP, selecting the lowest effective dose and safest route of administration, as well as refraining from giving steroids to glaucoma patients. Ocular hypertension caused by steroids usually subsides after discontinuing the medication. So, no! You should typically not take steroids if you are using glaucoma medication.
Monitor Chronic Intraocular Pressure Increases
Early detection is key, as nearly 35% of steroid-induced glaucoma is reported in people with no prior history of glaucoma. This is a concerning rise in intraocular pressure when taking topical steroids. Studies showed that in 66%, eye pressure increased less than five mmHg, while for another 30%, it increased between 6 and 15 mmHg, and for five percent, it exceeded that threshold.
Several studies have compared the previous steroid response of patients with and without glaucoma. For someone living with corticosteroid-induced glaucoma, an increase in eye pressure is hazardous, as it could damage the optic nerve and result in permanent vision loss. Monitoring eye pressure levels regularly and adhering to doctor recommendations can help avoid this scenario.
Steroid-Induced IOP Elevation
- Steroid use can cause trabecular meshwork cells to increase their adhesion.
- This renders the cell membranes less permeable to fluid flow and inhibits mechanisms that degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM).
- This leads to debris buildups within trabecular meshwork cells.
- Resistant aqueous outflow increases resistance, leading to steroid-induced IOP elevation and characteristic optic nerve changes similar to POAG.
Manage Inflammatory Glaucoma Risk Factors
Inflammation can increase eye pressure by disrupting fluid production and drainage rates and blocking drains due to connective tissue disease (especially rheumatoid arthritis). Inflammatory glaucoma can arise as a complication of uveitis, an eye injury and disease that leads to elevated eye pressure that damages the optic nerve and results in irreparable vision loss.
- Before using steroids for extended periods, it’s essential to discuss any family history of glaucoma with your physician.
- They’ll assess symptoms and whether diabetes or other health conditions, such as high blood pressure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, impact glaucoma risk factors.
- Then, they’ll conduct a comprehensive health evaluation with a dilation of the eyes.
- Finally, they’ll suggest the lowest dosage steroid available to lower your eye pressure safely.
Immunosuppression Because of Steroid Usage
Steroids are often prescribed to treat various medical conditions, including allergic, inflammatory, and immunologic ones. Unfortunately, unsupervised usage can result in increased intraocular pressure – which is known as “steroid-induced glaucoma,” and may lead to significant damage to the eye.
Your physician must be informed when you receive steroids for any purpose, particularly immune-suppressing medications like cyclosporine or tacrolimus, which may help lower eye pressure. Your doctor’s guidance is crucial in managing steroid use and preventing potential risks.
In patients who have experienced steroid-induced glaucoma before, careful monitoring and time are key in tapering off medications safely; it should only occur when all inflammation has subsided and systemic disease has been managed – this way, glaucoma hopefully won’t reoccur.
Recognize Optic Nerve Damage Over Time
A surgery known as trabeculectomy involves creating a channel for fluid to drain away and reduce eye pressure, so steroids play an integral part in optimizing outcomes following this procedure.
Your eye produces a liquid known as aqueous humor to nourish its cornea and iris and keep them inflated, draining out through an angle formed between the cornea and iris to drain out through. If this drainage angle becomes blocked, eye pressure may quickly increase.
Open-angle glaucoma often occurs slowly and unnoticed until vision loss has already set in. Wet glaucoma occurs when abnormal blood vessels form beneath the retina and leak fluid or blood, damaging central vision. Both types can result in blindness. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and antioxidant supplements can all help slow the progression of this eye condition.
Prevent Glaucoma-Induced Vision Loss Early
Your vision is important, and preserving it for as long as possible is essential. Glaucoma can dramatically decrease quality of life and even be dangerous, but taking steps such as medication and other therapies to combat its progression may prevent vision loss from occurring in the first place.
It’s crucial to monitor your eye pressure when starting any course of steroids. Recognizing any increases early can prevent irreparable glaucoma damage and also prevent unlabeled products containing steroids from entering the system. This step is vital in preventing steroid-induced glaucoma.
Steroid-Induced Ocular Hypertension
Steroids may negatively influence the aqueous fluid outflow system in sensitive people, leading to elevated eye pressure (steroid-induced ocular hypertension) – this condition is known as “steroid-induced glaucoma” and may develop days or weeks after starting steroids; its effect will fade once they are stopped.
Ocular hypertension may become persistent and lead to irreparable optic nerve damage. This form of glaucoma resembles primary open-angle glaucoma in that characteristic visual field changes occur along with open angles on gonioscopy and elevated IOP levels.
Glaucoma of this type should not deter anyone from taking steroids as prescribed by their physician. However, it’s crucial to have regular checks with an ophthalmologist during therapy to monitor IOP levels and adjust dosage and duration as necessary. This is a key part of managing the risk of steroid-induced glaucoma.
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Conclusion
While steroids can be an effective treatment for various medical conditions, they pose significant risks for individuals with glaucoma. Preventive steps, such as using the lowest effective dosage and monitoring for early signs of increased pressure, can help mitigate the risk of steroid-induced glaucoma and protect your long-term vision health. Remember, your vision is precious, so take the necessary precautions.
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