INTRAOCULAR-PRESSURE ELEVATION ASSOCIATED WITH INHALATION AND NASAL CORTICOSTEROIDS

Background: The ocular hypertensive response to corticosteroids is wel l established. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) secondary to cortic osteroids by nasal spray or inhalation has rarely been reported. Resul ts: Three patients showed a possible ocular hypertensive response to b eclomethasone dipropionate by nasal spray or inhalation. In two patien ts, the IOP returned to pretreatment levels after discontinuing nasal corticosteroid spray. One patient required medication to control IOP w ith continued inhaled corticosteroid. One patient later demonstrated a n ocular hypertensive response to oral steroids. Conclusion: Corticost eroids by nasal spray or inhalation may cause ocular hypertension in s usceptible patients. The authors recommend surveillance of IOP in pati ents using these medications.