INHALED STEROIDS - EFFECT ON INTRAOCULAR-PRESSURE IN PATIENTS WITHOUTGLAUCOMA

Objective: To evaluate the risk of intraocular pressure (IOP) elevatio n in patients receiving inhaled steroid therapy. Design: Prospective s tudy. Setting: Four private practices in New Jersey. Patients: A total of 187 patients (99 men and 88 women) with no documented history of g laucoma about to begin inhaled steroid therapy for various pulmonary c onditions were enrolled, Of the 187, 183 were followed at 12 weeks. In terventions: Measurement of the IOP with the Tone-Pen before therapy w as started and 12 weeks after therapy was started. Outcome measure: IO P. Results: No significant rise in IOP was observed. No patient had a rise in IOP greater than 4 mm Hg. Conclusions: Although isolated case reports indicate a definite risk of glaucoma in the presence of inhale d steroid therapy, the risk appears to be small.