Objective: To inquire into the incidence, clinical characteristics and therapeutic effects of corticosteroid hypertension and corticosteroid glaucoma after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).
Methods: The authors completed a follow up study on 1 590 eyes on which this procedure was performed and corticosteroid (0.1% fluoromethalone, FML) eye drops were applied 4 to 6 months post-operatively to observe intraocular pressure at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months, and treated the eyes with increase of intraocular pressure.
Results: Corticosteroid ocular hypertension or corticosteroid glaucoma occurred in 2.70% of 1 590 eyes. The intraocular pressure of the eyes was recovered to normal in all patients after treatments of stopping FML eye drops, using topical 0.5% timolol (or 0.5% levobunolol hydrochloride), taking diamox orally or receiving trabeculectomy.
Conclusions: Topical application of corticosteroid may cause corticosteroid hypertension and corticosteroid glaucoma after PRK, and visual function damage may occur in a few eyes. Under this situation, the corticosteroid eye drops should be stopped and glaucomatous treatment should be given.